Syria: A Recent History - Brossura

John McHugo

Brossura

ISBN 10: 0863561608 ISBN 13: 9780863561603

Casa editrice: Saqi Books, 2015

Riassunto

Syria's descent into chaos since 2011 has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives, while more than nine million people have fled their homes. In this timely account, John McHugo charts the history of Syria from the First World War to the present and considers why Syria's foundations as a nation have proved so fragile. He examines the country's thwarted attempts at independence under French rule before turning to more recent events: two generations of rule by the Assad family, sectarian tensions, the pressures that turned an aborted revolution into a proxy war, and the appearance of ISIS. As the conflict in Syria rages on, McHugo provides a rare and authoritative guide to a complex nation that demands our attention.

Su questo libro

Recensione:

Enlightening Robert Fisk, Independent

'[Provides] a real insight into the political fragility that underpins much of what caused the current civil war ... Remarkably prescient ... At the very start of this enlightening read, McHugo makes the point that to the English-speaking world, Syria is a far off country which relatively few people have made a serious effort to understand. In writing this insightful and timely book, he has gone some considerable way to rectifying this neglect.' Sunday Herald

'Tells us with inspirational force how the Syrians have found the ability to speak out' Times Literary Supplement

'A most welcome addition to the growing body of literature on Syria ... The author expertly weaves the repercussions of a century of regional and international interference in Syrian affairs into his narrative of cause and effect regarding the tumultuous events of recent years.' David W. Lesch, author of Syria: The Fall of the House of Assad

'An engagingly written primer that is essential reading for anyone who wishes to understand the roots of that country s ongoing agony ... [McHugo's] last chapter, in which he dissects sectarianism in Syria and the possible outcomes of the civil war, should be required reading for all who mistakenly believe that tribalism and primordial hatreds are the key drivers of Middle Eastern politics.' James L. Gelvin, author of The Arab Uprisings: What Everyone Needs to Know

'[A] very timely modern history of Syria ... McHugo provides the reader with a high level of sound analysis ... The book is written both with academic scrutiny and with the empathy of an individual who cares greatly for his area of study.' Journal of Peace Research

'A must-read for those who seek an informed opinion about Syria's civil war, far removed from propaganda and bias' Jordan Times

'Fascinating and timely, admirably written with original vision' (Nikolaos van Dam)

'McHugo uncovers uncanny parallels between the pacification strategies of the French in the 1920s and the Bashar al-Assad regime today, exposing the continuous role of violence in the region's (flawed) state formation.' (Raymond Hinnebusch, Centre for Syrian Studies, University of St Andrews)

'A fluent introduction to Syria's recent past, this book provides the backstory to the country's collapse into brutal civil conflict' (Andrew Arsan, St John's College, University of Cambridge)

L'autore:

John McHugo is a Senior Fellow at the Centre for Syrian Studies at St Andrews University. A board member of the Council for Arab British Understanding and the British Egyptian Society, he is also chair of the Liberal Democrat Friends of Palestine. McHugo's writing has featured in History Today, The World Today, Jewish Quarterly and on the BBC News website. His debut work, A Concise History of the Arabs, was published to critical acclaim in 2013. McHugo was shortlisted for the Salon Transmission Prize in 2014.

www.johnmchugo.com

Su questa edizione

• Editore: Saqi Books
• Data di pubblicazione: 2015
• ISBN 10: 0863561608
• ISBN 13: 9780863561603
• Rilegatura: Copertina flessibile
• Numero di pagine: 304