Lords of the Desert: Britain's Struggle with America to Dominate the Middle East

After winning World War II, Britain's motives for dominating the Middle East changed, with oil and prestige becoming increasingly important. The United States' uncompromising attitude towards the British led to their eventual departure from the region. James Barr's book sheds light on the tensions between London and Washington and the activities of American and British diehards in the Middle East, from the battle of El Alamein to Britain's abandonment of Aden in 1967. The book is well-written and deeply researched, offering a new perspective on the era.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 416 pages
Publication date: 01 July 2019
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd

Britain's dominance in the Middle East began to shift after its victory in 1945. While imperial security and control of the route to India were once paramount, oil and prestige became increasingly important factors. The end of the empire made control of the Middle East precious, as it was seen as a symbol of Britain's status as a great power. However, the British were unable to withstand the rise of Arab and Jewish nationalism, and they were eventually forced to leave the region.

The full story of Britain's departure from the Middle East is more complex. The uncompromising attitude of the United States, which was determined to displace the British, played a significant role. Using newly declassified records and long-forgotten memoirs, including the diaries of a key British spy, James Barr, tears up the conventional interpretation of this era in the Middle East. Barr vividly portrays the tensions between London and Washington, and sheds an uncompromising light on the murkier activities of a generation of American and British diehards in the region.

The book reminds us that the Middle East has always served as the arena for great power conflict. It is the tale of an internecine struggle in which Britain would discover that her most formidable rival was the ally she had assumed would be her closest friend. Barr draws on a rich and varied trove of sources to knit a sequence of dramatic episodes into an elegant whole. Great events march through these pages, from the battle of El Alamein in 1942 to Britain's abandonment of Aden in 1967.

The Observer praised the book for its beautifully written and deeply researched nature. The Sunday Times described it as "consistently fascinating," while The Spectator praised Barr's ability to draw on a rich and varied trove of sources to knit a sequence of dramatic episodes into an elegant whole. Wall Street Journal praised the book for its "bustles impressively with detail and anecdote."

In conclusion, The Observer: The End of Empire and the Making of the Middle East is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of the Middle East. Barr's book provides a fresh and compelling perspective on this complex and fascinating region, challenging the conventional interpretation of the era and shedding light on the murkier activities of a generation of American and British diehards.

Weight: 368g
Dimension: 133 x 198 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781471139802