Suez: Britain's End of Empire in the Middle East

(Paperback)

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Description

This title includes a new Foreword by WM. Roger Louis. On 26 July 1956, the British Empire received a blow from which it would never recover. On this day, Egypt's President Gamal Abdul Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal Company, one of the gems of Britain's imperial portfolio. It was to be a fateful day for Britain as a world power. Britain, France and Israel subsequently colluded in attacking Egypt, ostensibly - in the case of Britain and France - to protect the Suez Canal but in reality in an attempt to depose Nasser. The US opposition to this scheme forced an ignominious withdrawal, leaving Nasser triumphant and marking a decisive end to Britain's imperial era. In this, the seminal work on the Suez Crisis, Keith Kyle draws on a wealth of documentary evidence to tell this fascinating political, military and diplomatic story. Including new introductory material, this revised edition of a classic work will be essential reading for anyone interested in the history of the twentieth century, military history and the end of empire.

Reviews

'... a superb account ... that rare thing: a compelling read that will also serve to define the context for all future scholarship on the subject' - The Economist; '... the definite work on the subject ... easily surpasses all earlier accounts' - Anthony Howard, TLS; '... has the quality of making everything that has come before ... look like a pamphlet off the top of a partisan's head' - Roy Jenkins, The Sunday Times

Author Bio

Keith Kyle (1925-2007) worked as a journalist, broadcaster, author and scholar throughout the world over the course of his long career. Among his many publications are 'Whither Israel: The Domestic Challenges' (with Joel Peters), 'The Politics of the Independence of Kenya' and his autobiography 'Keith Kyle: Reporting the World'. He remained actively involved in international history and politics until his death in 2007.