Damascus Between Democracy and Dictatorship (Hardcover)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Between 1949 and 1957, ten coups shook Syria. Each attempt to overthrow the government was led by powers sympathetic to either the Soviet Union or the United States. "Damascus Between Democracy and Dictatorship" details the oscillations which rocked the Arab region during this transitional period, ultimately destroying Syria's chances for a stable democracy. Different levels of struggle are analyzed within the context of global Cold War politics, and the roles of specific leaders are critiqued.

About the Author

Sami M. Moubayed is a political analyst at the Arab Political Document Center at the American University of Beirut.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 248 pages
• Publisher: University Press of America (October 28, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761817441
• ISBN-13: 978-0761817444
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,858,963 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable and informative, a must read., November 23, 2000

By	Singing Nomad (Wild Deserts of Arabia) - See all my reviews

I have not finished the book yet, but I am half way through. This book is a great source on the history of modern Syria. It is a must read for anyone who wants to truly understands not only the Syrian politics between the end of World Ware II and the Syrian Union with Egypt in 1958, but also those events and incidents that set the stage for the drastic change in political life in Syria afterwards. The dramas, sometimes anecdotal in nature, give the narration an irresistible appeal. The book is well-documented and factual, although the author does not feign objectivity. For anyone interested in modern Syria, the book is really entertaining... at times I could not help chuckling to myself at the comic-tragic turn of events in the lives of some of the early adventurers like Colonel Husni Al-Zaiim. The only thing that the book lacks is a better graphic production; the print and paper quality are mediocre, and the book needs more photographic insets from the period. I would love to see that in a paper-back edition.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, July 18, 2008

By	Yaser Siraj-eddin (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Finally, a book that covers the political history of Syria from the days of independence to the Baath days. This is about the only scholarly work I know of that covers this subject in such detail