From Rags to Riches
A Story of Abu Dhabi
I highly recommend reading From Rags to Riches: The Story of Abu Dhabi by Mohammed Al Fahim.
The author reminisces the story of his family, who was forced to emigrate from Iran and arrived in Al Ain in the 1950s. The narrative unfolds through the anecdotes passed down by his grandfather and father. Although it is a novel in all aspects, there is significant archival work involved, making it an important testimony for better understanding the history of the United Arab Emirates, especially during the most delicate and challenging phase before the discovery of oil!
P.S. It is one of the very few publications, perhaps the only, about this topic in Italian! You can find it quite easily in bookstores.
I also mention it during my Shindagha Mon Amour tour.