Historical Dictionary of Libya

(Hardback, Fifth Edition)

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Of all the states of the Middle East and North Africa, Libya has long been the country about which the least is known. It is only in recent times that scholars and the general public alike have begun to appreciate the complexity of Libya's turbulent history including the recent February 17th Revolution in 2011 when protests broke out throughout Libya, demanding better living conditions and more job opportunities. When the Qaddafi regime responded with force, killing scores of unarmed civilians, the protesters called for regime change. In what came to be known as the February 17th Revolution, the Qaddafi regime was overthrown and Qaddafi was killed in October 2011. In July 2012, the Libyan people elected a General National Congress charged with overseeing the drafting of a new constitution and the election of a national government. This fifth edition of Historical Dictionary of Libya covers its history through a chronology, an introductory essay, appendixes, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has over 400 cross-referenced entries on important personalities, politics, economy, society, conflicts, and the culture of Libya. This book is an excellent access point for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about Libya.

Reviews

The 5th edition of the Historical Dictionary of Libya is written by the same person who wrote the second through fourth editions, the latter published in 2006. [St John] has published extensively on the political economy of developing areas including Libya. It follows the pattern of other volumes in the Historical Dictionaries of Africa series. The alphabetized, cross-referenced entries, on both historical and recent events, people, issues and relationships, comprise the bulk of the book. They provide information on politics, religion, economics, and history. The dictionary entries are preceded by a list of acronyms and abbreviations, maps, a chronology from 1551 through December, 2014, and a short introduction to Libya. There are appendixes on dynasties, government officials, oil reserves, and sanctions. The book ends with a bibliography that is, after an introduction, put into sections on general reference. . . .There has been considerable change in Libya since the last edition. . . . [T]his book is a good resource for those wanting to find information about Libya, past and recent. * American Reference Books Annual *

Author Bio

Ronald Bruce St John is an independent scholar specializing in the political economies of developing states. He has published well over 300 books and articles on North Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, including nine books on Libya. He has served on the International Advisory Board of the Journal of Libyan Studies and The Atlantic Council Working Group on Libya.