A soldier with the Arabs – John Bagot Glubb

Description

“….. tells a story that throws more light on the situation in Trans- Jordan over the explosive years when he served as Commander-in-Chief of the Arab Legion, than a half dozen other books on the Middle East. For twenty years- which he passes over with brevity and little or no claim to the peace and stability he helped establish- Glubb Pasha, as he is everywhere known, helped make the tiny kingdom take its place in the council of nations. Then came 1948- and from that point on he analyzes mercilessly the play of power politics through which the State of Israel was born. He places blame first on one then on another of the major powers, and pulls no punches in his forthright criticism of double dealing, bungling, stupidity, whether he is talking of Britain’s activities in the Middle East, of France’s arbitrary seizing of power, of Russia’s share in the issues- chiefly that of making sure that the other powers were at odds- and of the United States putting political campaigns on the home front and the Jewish vote ahead of the manipulations of the powder keg that is the crossroads of the world. Somehow, though one feels that Glubb is pro-Arab- or more exactly pro-Jordan (for his criticism in frequently levied against the Arab League, against Egypt and Nasser)- he manages to present what he sees as the facts, cogently, compellingly, and without rancour or emotional bias. It is a straight forward record, meticulously detailed as to strategy and tactics and propaganda- until one feels that nothing that is reported in our papers is unadulterated fact, but always the semblance of truth, based on a tissue of distortions. This is only now and again a personal story; Trans-Jordan, despite the cavalier treatment he got when the young Husain was trapped by the leftist forces, remains the hero of his tale.”

Price: R500.00

Edition: First edition

Published: 1957

Publishers: Hodder & Stoughton

Condition: Minor shelf wear around the edges of the cover, and some scuff marks to the front cover, Gilt lettering and embossed creast still in excellent condition. Foxing on the end-papers, otherwise internally in very good condition – very clean and tightly bound.