Customer Reviews

Egypt During the Sadat Years

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Dr. Kirk Beattie's book on Egypt and Sadat is a balanced, authoritative piece of scholarship that isn't weighted with ideology and conjecture. The historical detail is here for diplomats, analysts, political scientists and historians, and so is the broad scope and backgrounding that will benefit the more general reader. Beattie does not write in the dense, impenetrable style necessarily employed by most academics, although his credentials are certainly world-class. Most notably, the scope of his interviews is remarkable, unequaled in any other book on the period. Anyone intersted in comprehending the origins of the ongoing Mideast imbroglio would do well to spend some time with Dr. Beattie's book on Sadat --- as well his previous volume on Egypt under Nasser.

Sadat's image is largely a result of his later peacemaking efforts. What is largely neglected by those who learn about Sadat is his early flirtation with Nazi Germany, his acceptance of Nasser's authoritarian regime, his own "correction" of the revolution which placed him in power and, of course, his role as war leader in the October War.

This book looks realistically at Sadat and how we ran Egypt following Nasser's death up to his own assassination. The author looked at primary sources and interviewed many of the key players of those years, opponents and proponents alike, in order to get a clear picture despite the murky nature of Egyptian politics.

This is more of a scholarly work than recreational reading and it helps if you already have a working knowledge of Egypt's recent history. This book gives the reader a clearer look at Sadat the politician, Sadat the leader, Sadat the thinker... in effect, Sadat the human being.

This book sets a high standard for studies about the Sadat era, and I was very happy to find a used copy in good condition at an affordable price. It will be very useful in my research and writing about modern Egyptian history.