I was looking at inside syria by reese elrich, and it seems like a good choice, but i was wondering if anyone has any more personal recommendations. This is a biography of hafez alassad, but quite a flattering one. Hafez alassad patrick seale about hafez alassad facebook. Patrick seale was one of the best syrian historians. After a national service commission, he studied philosophy and psychology at balliol college, oxford.
In the field of middle east studies, few have mastered the art of biography as well as he has. The elder assad is the subject of another, widely quoted book on syria, by patrick seale, asad. Seale was the first middle east specialist to give us a comprehensive and extremely lively explanation of how the emerging arab state system actually worked. As with his other biographical work, seales study of riad elsolh, a pivotal figure in lebanese and arab politics, is much more than that. The struggle for syria share book recommendations with. The first book explored syrias turbulent postsecond world war years, when it was recovering from the french mandate, was beset by coups and british and american. Mr seale s book is a must for anybody who is interested in syria or the middle east as. Nevertheless, he sent me his interesting comments and i thought they. Unfortunately, and due to the time difference, my deadline passed, i missed the opportunity to quote him in my piece. Patrick seales portrait of the leader shows a man driven by his personal vision for syria and the arab world. Hey rsyriancivilwar, was wondering if you guys have any good, mostly uptodate book recommendations that discuss the civil war.
He is one of the few people who can write in such a way that it is both high quality in terms of content and also attracts a lot of readers. This book helps to explain the historical foundation behind the crisis in syria today. The best books on syria five books expert recommendations. To discuss the situation in syria, were joined by patrick seale, a leading british writer on the middle east and author of asad. A sound biography requires both intensive research and, if not objectivity, at least perspective. It is not, however, a book to be called dispassionate. It is a crime that yale up has allowed it to go out of print. The struggle for syria a study of postwar arab politics x945 io58 patrick seale with a foreword by albert hourani i. Seale was a journalist and longterm observer of the region and.
Oct, 2016 in light of current events in syria i wanted a better understanding of its history and that of the baath party in syria. Seale s research is impeccable, but his obsequiousness to asad and his positions renders this bio suspect. This postwar struggle is covered in patrick seales aptly titled 1965 work, the struggle for syria. Patrick abram seale is a british journalist and author who specialises in the middle east. Patrick seale s struggle for syria should be one of the first books anyone interested in syria or the middle east reads. After the houla massacre, its clear that the outside funding of the antiassad rebels is undermining efforts to end the conflict. Journalist patrick seale debates activist rafif jouejati on a just response. I started with one of his earlier books, which i used at university, both when i was studying and when i was teaching. Seales great strength is his ability to explain the confusing. Looking for some good books on the syrian civil war. The first book explored syrias turbulent postsecond world war years, when it was recovering from the french mandate, was beset by coups and. For more than twenty years, the ruler of syria, hafiz alasad, has been at the heart of the power struggle in the middle east. Thats what people say, but i dont think its correct.
British journalist patrick seale, a veteran middle east historian and expert on syria, has died of brain cancer, his former newspaper the observer reported. Jan 01, 1986 patrick abram seale 7 may 1930 11 april 2014 was a belfastborn british journalist1 and author who specialised in the middle east. Patrick seale, syria specialist and former observer correspondent. Seale authored numerous books, including the struggle for syria 1965, french revolution 1968 1968, philby, the long road to moscow 1973. A syrian book vendor waits for customers at his street stall in the old city of damascus, syria, on sept. Seale is the author of a number of books, including the struggle for syria 1965, french revolution 1968 1968, philby, the long road to moscow 1973, the hilton assignment 1973, asad of syria. Seale is a talented political writer whose first book, the struggle for syria 1965 remains a minor classic of middle east studies. Mar 12, 20 british journalist and middle east commentator patrick seale speaks to arabstoday about the situation in syria including. Seale, a middle eastern specialist and a journalist. Seale was an indefatigable, articulate and extremely well. The struggle for syria book 0 available edition the struggle for syria by patrick seale, the struggle for syria has 0 available edition to buy at alibris. He understands the game being played and also knows the players.
British journalist and middle east expert patrick seale on syria. His father was morris siegel seale 18961993, the arabist and theologian, who was a jewish convert to presbyterianism and christian missionary in syria, where patrick spent most of his first 14 years. Patrick seale in israel martin kramer on the middle east. By online, you could not getting the book store in your city.
The journalist patrick seale, who has died, was fiercely criticised for his views on the revolution in syria, a country which dominated both his personal and professional lives, writes faisal al yafai. Patrick seale who has died in london at the age of 83 was the worlds most distinguished expert on syria. Patrick seales new book is a mine of information on the modern middle east as well as a pleasure to read. Four books on syria to help understand its troubled. The struggle for the middle east edition 1 by patrick. Dateedition newest first dateedition oldest first updating results. Patrick seale managed to write a book that ignores the biased antiasad propaganda that affect the western media,and instead he looked at the man from all angles and used his knowledge of syria s history and society to add a nice touch to this valuable book. Oxford university press, 1965 arab countries 344 pages. In syria, this is no plan for peace patrick seale opinion. Patrick seale wrote the book on syria but misread its latest. The first book explored syria s turbulent postsecond world war years, when it was recovering from the french mandate, was beset by coups and british and american. Seale s great strength is his ability to explain the confusing kaleidoscopic nature of middle eastern diplomacy.
Seales great strength is his ability to explain the confusing kaleidoscopic nature of middle eastern diplomacy. Sep 04, 20 the elder assad is the subject of another, widely quoted book on syria, by patrick seale, asad. Anyone who has spent time living in or studying the middle east will be familiar with the work of patrick seale, who died last weekend in london after a battle with brain cancer. The struggle for the middle east paperback oct 2016. Patrick seale wrote the book on syria but misread its latest chapter opinion 20170110 10. Shortly after his birth, the family moved to syria, where for 20 years his parents ran the irish presbyterian mission. This is why we suggest you to consistently see this page when you require such book the struggle for syria.
When seale wrote his book, egypts jamal abd alnasir was the pivot of arab politics. A study in postwar arab politics, 19451958, new edition, by patrick seale, every book. To seale, syria has been and remains the epicenter of struggle in the modern middle east. British journalist and middle east commentator patrick seale speaks to arabstoday about the situation in syria including. A study in postwar arab politics, 19451958, new edition seale, patrick on. The journalist patrick seale, who has died, was fiercely criticised for his views on the revolution in syria, a country which dominated both his. Not every book lives up to its ambitious title, but patrick seales does not disappoint. Patrick seale managed to write a book that ignores the biased antiasad propaganda that affect the western media,and instead he looked at the man from all angles and used his knowledge of syrias history and society to add a nice touch to this valuable book. Patrick abram seale 7 may 1930 11 april 2014 was a belfastborn british journalist1 and author who specialised in the middle east. Patrick seale s portrait of the leader shows a man driven by his personal vision for syria and the arab world.
Sep 05, 20 patrick seale npr coverage of patrick seale. Patrick seales struggle for syria should be one of the first books anyone interested in syria or the middle east reads. A penetrating, if slanted, biography of longtime syrian ruler asad. This is a book in the finest tradition of investigative scholarship. Patrick abram seale 7 may 1930 11 april 2014 was a belfastborn british journalist and. Beirut patrick seale a veteran journalist and author on middle eastern affairs, as well as one of the worlds leading historians on syria has died in london after a battle with. Four books on syria to help understand its troubled history. Here are a few impressions of my few encounters with him, from an israeli point of view. The athour patrick seale is a british historian who knows the region very well and has been writing about it for decades unlike many of those who write about the current crisis today without that same level of experience.
In my patrick seale obituary, i had sought to interview more syria experts, among whom is joshua landis, one of the leading sources of analysis. The struggle for syria share book recommendations with your. A study in postwar arab politics, 19451958, new edition, by patrick seale. Patrick seale was my great inspiration for studying syria. A syrian book vendor waits for customers at his street stall in the old city of damascus, syria, on. All the more pity, then, that he sold out to become the syrian regimes leading apologist in the west. Patrick seale s new book is a mine of information on the modern middle east as well as a pleasure to read. The muslim brotherhood and the struggle for syria, 1947. Asad by patrick seale paperback university of california. Patrick seale wrote the book on syria but misread its latest chapter. Seales research is impeccable, but his obsequiousness to asad and his positions. Jan 01, 1988 for more than twenty years, the ruler of syria, hafiz alasad, has been at the heart of the power struggle in the middle east. Patrick seale, who has died aged 83, was an author, academic, broadcaster, literary agent and art dealer.
Patrick seale wrote the book on syria but misread its. A former correspondent for the observer, he interviewed many middle eastern leaders and personalities. Patrick abram seale was a belfastborn british journalist. As with his other biographical work, seale s study of riad elsolh, a pivotal figure in lebanese and arab politics, is much more than that. A study in postwar arab politics, 19451958, new edition. Apr 15, 2014 in my patrick seale obituary, i had sought to interview more syria experts, among whom is joshua landis, one of the leading sources of analysis. Asad by patrick seale paperback university of california press. The struggle for syria p seale by patrick seale, 9780300039702, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Patrick seale, journalist and author, best known for his reportage on syria and his mediation between hafez asad and the west, has passed away at the age of 83, after a battle with brain cancer. Asad of syria 9780520069763 by seale and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. Mr seales book is a must for anybody who is interested in syria or the middle east as. Patrick seale was born in belfast, northern ireland on may 7, 1930. The duke of damascus featured articles from the latimes. British journalist and middle east expert patrick seale on.