Arab Armies of the Middle East Wars (2) (Men-at-Arms) [Paperback]

Sam Katz (Author), Ronald Volstad (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 24, 1988 | Series: Men-at-Arms (Book 2)

The Six-Day War drastically altered the political and military complexion of the Middle East: three Arab armies lay in ruin, while Israel achieved regional superpower status. The Arab response to defeat was a thirst for revenge, and the process of regrouping to launch the 1973 war was the nearest the Arab world would come to true unity. This book examines the post-1973 development of the armies of Egypt, Jordan and Syria, as well as the Palestinian guerrilla and terrorist groups. Backed by photographs and colour illustrations, this book also details the special military and political roles of the armies' elite units.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Packed with specially commissioned artwork, maps and diagrams, the Men-at-Arms series is an unrivalled illustrated reference on the history, organisation, uniforms and equipment of the world's military forces, past and present.

About the Author

Sam Katz was born in 1963, and joined the Israeli Defence Forces in 1981. He served in a dual capacity in the HEYL HAYAM during the conflict in Lebanon in 1982. He is the author of articles in Hebrew publications on military matters, and the co-author of several books on the IDF and related Middle Eastern topics. His particular interest lies in the development of IDF elite and counter-terrorist units. Sam is recognized world wide as an expert on this subject. He is married and lives in New York.

Product Details

• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (March 24, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0850458005
• ISBN-13: 978-0850458008
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 0.2 x 9.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,490,320 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars great introduction, October 9, 1999

By 

Allen Hansen - See all my reviews

This review is from: Arab Armies of the Middle East Wars (2) (Men-at-Arms) (Paperback)

this is an excellent introduction to the arab israeli conflicts summarizes everything beautiffuly dont miss the illustrations & photos

2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Useful Introduction to A Complex Period, January 10, 2002

By 

El Cutachero (MD USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Arab Armies of the Middle East Wars (2) (Men-at-Arms) (Paperback)

For those with curiosity about all the factions involved this book will be helpful. The author states that the detail on the Arabic forces is lacking. The events covered here in the two volumes The Israeli Army in the Middle East Wars, 1948-1973, and Arab Armies in the Middle East Wars, 1948-1973. Subsequent events are covered in the volume Armies in Lebanon, 1982-84.
The rivalry between Israel and the surrounding Arab nations goes back before WW II with the 1917 Balfour Declaration that a homeland for the Jews would be established in Palestine. This was done in the wake of the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire without consulting the Arabic peoples of Palestine.
After much unrest in the 1930s matters came to a head in 1948 after the British left and Israel was proclaimed, the surrounding Arabic states invaded Palestine. The resulting war caused many of the Palestinian Arabs to flee the conflict. The resulting de facto partition resulting from the Israeli victory led to four more major ground wars and ongoing border raids and terrorism.
Their return was not to be allowed, even more tragically, they were kept in refugee camps and not allowed to disperse or assimilate in the rest of the Arab world in a manner similar to that done by the displaced persons who fled Eastern Europe in 1945. Now, several generations on, the desires of the Palestinians to return, destroy the state of Israel, and reclaim the land of their origin, have festered for so long that no rational solution seems in sight. At various times the Israeli's neighbors have backed or opposed or expelled the Palestinian forces in response to their own internal political imperatives. Thus, the Egyptians have signed a peace with Israel, while the rest have not. Syrians, Saudis, and others have continued to offer them refuge and aid while the Kingdom of Jordan expelled them all in "Black September" 1970, an event which led to the raid on the Olympic delegation in 1972.
No matter what side your sympathy lies, hope of peace is still remote, and all concerned victims of this conflict deserve the prayers and good wishes of the world.
The color plates are of the usual high quality and cover
the Israeli, Lebanese, Jordanian, Egyptian and other local forces.