Colonel and I: My Life with Gaddafi

The Colonel and I: My Life with Gaddafi is an inside story of the extraordinary world of Libya's fallen dictator, Muammar Gaddafi, by his trusted trouble shooter and confidante, Daad Sharab. It provides a unique insight into the character of a man of many contradictions, including tyrant, hero, terrorist, freedom fighter, womanizer, and father figure. Daad witnessed the ruthlessness of a flawed leader who is blamed for ordering the Lockerbie bombing and became the go-between for the only man convicted of the atrocity. She also observed a hidden, more humane side of Gaddafi, who was a troubled father and compassionate statesman who kept sight of his humble Bedouin roots. However, he was ultimately consumed by megalomania and Daad was caught up in his dramatic fall, ending in betrayal and imprisonment.

Format: Hardback
Publication date: 18 October 2021
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd

The Colonel and I: My Life with Gaddafi is a captivating account of the extraordinary world of Libya's fallen dictator, Muammar Gaddafi. For nearly half his 42-year reign, Daad Sharab served as Gaddafi's trusted trouble shooter and confidante, the only outsider admitted to his inner circle. Over the years, numerous writers have explored Gaddafi's life, but none have been as close as Daad. Now, a decade after the violent death of The Colonel, she offers a unique insight into the character of a man of many contradictions: tyrant, hero, terrorist, freedom fighter, womanizer, father figure.

Daad's account is filled with fascinating anecdotes and revelations that shed new light on Gaddafi. She witnessed the ruthlessness of a flawed leader responsible for ordering the Lockerbie bombing and became the go-between for the only man convicted of the atrocity. Daad does not attempt to sugarcoat Gaddafi's legacy, allowing readers to form their own judgments. However, she also reveals a hidden, more humane side of the leader. Gaddafi was a troubled father and compassionate statesman who never lost sight of his humble Bedouin roots and was capable of great acts of generosity.

The author also takes no punches in criticizing Western politicians, such as Tony Blair, George Bush, and Hillary Clinton, who shamelessly wooed Gaddafi's oil-rich regime. Despite her warnings, Gaddafi's megalomania consumed him, and Daad found herself caught up in his dramatic fall. Falsely accused by Gaddafi's notorious secret service of being both The Colonel's mistress and a spy, her story ends in betrayal and imprisonment. Caught up in the Arab Spring uprising, she faced a fight for life as bombs rained down on Libya.

In conclusion, The Colonel and I: My Life with Gaddafi is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complex and enigmatic personality of Muammar Gaddafi. Daad Sharab's unique perspective provides a glimpse into the inner workings of the Gaddafi regime and sheds light on the leader's contradictions and complexities. Despite the tragic ending, her story is a testament to the resilience and determination of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Weight: 610g
Dimension: 164 x 240 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781526795984