The journalist patrick seale, who has died, was fiercely criticised for his views on the revolution in syria, a country which dominated both his. Asad of syria 9780520069763 by seale and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. Mar 12, 20 british journalist and middle east commentator patrick seale speaks to arabstoday about the situation in syria including. The first book explored syrias turbulent postsecond world war years, when it was recovering from the french mandate, was beset by coups and. 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. 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. 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. Patrick seale wrote the book on syria but misread its latest. In the field of middle east studies, few have mastered the art of biography as well as he has. Mr seales book is a must for anybody who is interested in syria or the middle east as.
Dateedition newest first dateedition oldest first updating results. This postwar struggle is covered in patrick seales aptly titled 1965 work, the struggle for syria. The struggle for the middle east edition 1 by patrick. A study in postwar arab politics, 19451958, new edition, by patrick seale, every book. Patrick seale, syria specialist and former observer correspondent. All the more pity, then, that he sold out to become the syrian regimes leading apologist in the west. It is not, however, a book to be called dispassionate. Seales research is impeccable, but his obsequiousness to asad and his positions. 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. Patrick seale, who has died aged 83, was an author, academic, broadcaster, literary agent and art dealer. 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.
After the houla massacre, its clear that the outside funding of the antiassad rebels is undermining efforts to end the conflict. Patrick seales new book is a mine of information on the modern middle east as well as a pleasure to read. This is a biography of hafez alassad, but quite a flattering one. Patrick seales portrait of the leader shows a man driven by his personal vision for syria and the arab world. To seale, syria has been and remains the epicenter of struggle in the modern middle east. Hafez alassad patrick seale about hafez alassad facebook. The struggle for the middle east paperback oct 2016. Patrick seale wrote the book on syria but misread its latest chapter. Seale s research is impeccable, but his obsequiousness to asad and his positions renders this bio suspect. Patrick seale in israel martin kramer on the middle east.
Patrick seale was my great inspiration for studying syria. Patrick abram seale was a belfastborn british journalist. Not every book lives up to its ambitious title, but patrick seales does not disappoint. Sep 05, 20 patrick seale npr coverage of patrick seale. 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. 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. The best books on syria five books expert recommendations. 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. A study in postwar arab politics, 19451958, new edition, by patrick seale. 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. Nevertheless, he sent me his interesting comments and i thought they. Patrick seale s new book is a mine of information on the modern middle east as well as a pleasure to read.
By online, you could not getting the book store in your city. Patrick abram seale 7 may 1930 11 april 2014 was a belfastborn british journalist1 and author who specialised in the middle east. A syrian book vendor waits for customers at his street stall in the old city of damascus, syria, on sept. Looking for some good books on the syrian civil war. Seales great strength is his ability to explain the confusing. Shortly after his birth, the family moved to syria, where for 20 years his parents ran the irish presbyterian mission. To discuss the situation in syria, were joined by patrick seale, a leading british writer on the middle east and author of asad. The duke of damascus featured articles from the latimes. 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. Asad by patrick seale paperback university of california. Seale authored numerous books, including the struggle for syria 1965, french revolution 1968 1968, philby, the long road to moscow 1973. Here are a few impressions of my few encounters with him, from an israeli point of view. This is why we suggest you to consistently see this page when you require such book the struggle for syria.
Patrick abram seale is a british journalist and author who specialises in the middle east. Seale, a middle eastern specialist and a journalist. The struggle for syria a study of postwar arab politics x945 io58 patrick seale with a foreword by albert hourani i. Seale was an indefatigable, articulate and extremely well. In syria, this is no plan for peace patrick seale opinion.
After a national service commission, he studied philosophy and psychology at balliol college, oxford. Seale was a journalist and longterm observer of the region and. Patrick seale s struggle for syria should be one of the first books anyone interested in syria or the middle east reads. 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. 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.
As with his other biographical work, seales study of riad elsolh, a pivotal figure in lebanese and arab politics, is much more than that. Unfortunately, and due to the time difference, my deadline passed, i missed the opportunity to quote him in my piece. A sound biography requires both intensive research and, if not objectivity, at least perspective. When seale wrote his book, egypts jamal abd alnasir was the pivot of arab politics. British journalist and middle east expert patrick seale on.
This is a book in the finest tradition of investigative scholarship. Patrick seale was born in belfast, northern ireland on may 7, 1930. The struggle for syria share book recommendations with. Patrick seales struggle for syria should be one of the first books anyone interested in syria or the middle east reads. The struggle for syria p seale by patrick seale, 9780300039702, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. A biography of riad elsolh, lebanons first prime minister, this 800page tome is equally a sweeping account of the personalities and politics that marked the arab struggle for independence in the first half of the twentieth century. Patrick seale wrote the book on syria but misread its. 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. 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. 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. A former correspondent for the observer, he interviewed many middle eastern leaders and personalities.
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 muslim brotherhood and the struggle for syria, 1947. 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. 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. A syrian book vendor waits for customers at his street stall in the old city of damascus, syria, on.
Sep 04, 20 the elder assad is the subject of another, widely quoted book on syria, by patrick seale, asad. Seale s great strength is his ability to explain the confusing kaleidoscopic nature of middle eastern diplomacy. Journalist patrick seale debates activist rafif jouejati on a just response. The struggle for syria share book recommendations with your. Asad by patrick seale paperback university of california press. 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. British journalist and middle east expert patrick seale on syria. A penetrating, if slanted, biography of longtime syrian ruler asad. Patrick seale who has died in london at the age of 83 was the worlds most distinguished expert on syria. He understands the game being played and also knows the players.
Seales great strength is his ability to explain the confusing kaleidoscopic nature of middle eastern diplomacy. 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 was one of the best syrian historians. Thats what people say, but i dont think its correct. Patrick abram seale 7 may 1930 11 april 2014 was a belfastborn british journalist and.
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. A study in postwar arab politics, 19451958, new edition seale, patrick on. It is a crime that yale up has allowed it to go out of print. 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. Four books on syria to help understand its troubled history. British journalist patrick seale, a veteran middle east historian and expert on syria, has died of brain cancer, his former newspaper the observer reported. This book helps to explain the historical foundation behind the crisis in syria today. Oxford university press, 1965 arab countries 344 pages. Patrick seale s portrait of the leader shows a man driven by his personal vision for syria and the arab world. Patrick seale wrote the book on syria but misread its latest chapter opinion 20170110 10. The elder assad is the subject of another, widely quoted book on syria, by patrick seale, asad. Mr seale s book is a must for anybody who is interested in syria or the middle east as. Seale is a talented political writer whose first book, the struggle for syria 1965 remains a minor classic of middle east studies.
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