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Patrick Seale
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Asad: The Struggle for the Middle East Paperback – February 8, 1989

by Patrick Seale (Author)
4.5 out of 5 stars 37 ratings

For more than twenty years, the ruler of Syria, Hafiz ad-Asad, has been at the heart of the struggle for power in the Middle East. A remote, enigmatic figure, he is arguably the most important Arab leader of our time.

Based on unique access to the Syrian ruler, his associates, and his adversaries, Patrick Seale’s biography traces how Asad developed from a simple country boy into a politician of great subtlety in a series of brutal contests with such skilled opponents as Henry Kissinger and Anwar al-Sadat, Golda Meir and Menachem Begin, King Husayn of Jordan, Saddam Husayn of Iraq, and U.S. Secretary of State George Shultz.

Asad’s rule has been dedicated to a battle with Israel—and his fellow Arabs—for supremacy in the Middle East. Seale’s biography tells a tale of war and diplomacy, of frustrated ambition, of intrigue and dirty tricks.

Drawing on interviews with dozens of key participants, Seale explodes many myths about the Six Day War of 1967, the Black September crisis of 1970, the October War of 1973, the Lebanese Civil War of 1975–76, about how Egypt made peace with Israel and Iraq went to war against Iran, and about Israel’s invasion of Lebanon in 1982 with its ugly sequel of anarchy, violence, and hostage taking.

Asad’s dramatic story throws light on virtually every important episode of Middle East history since the 1960s.

For many, Asad remains an enigma despite his international prominence. Now for the first time this book reveals the full truth about Asad’s early years, his skill as a conspirator, and his ruthless, often brutal, but always masterful rise to power. He emerges as a leader driven by his personal vision for Syria and the Arab world.

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  1. Print length
    576 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    University of California Press
  4. Publication date
    February 8, 1989
  5. Dimensions
    6.25 x 1.1 x 9.25 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0520069765
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0520069763
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"There is much for the student of the Middle East to appreciate and digest in Asad. . . . It offers valuable insight into the development and thinking of this hard man, whose stubborn desire to stay at the center of events is a reality that cannot be ignored. . . . Mr. Seale does not shrink from describing the darker side of Asad's rule—the corruption, the suppression of dissent by torture and killing, and the use of terrorism as a tool of policy." ― New York Times Book Review

"This is a book in the finest tradition of investigative scholarship. The research is awesome. . . . Seale's great strength is his ability to explain the confusing kaleidoscopic nature of Middle Eastern diplomacy. He understands the game being played and also knows the players. . . . [An] impressive book." ― Los Angeles Times Book Review

"A major contribution to our knowledge and understanding of Middle East politics, written with insight and sympathy. Although Seale is evidently fascinated by his subject, the account given is generally fair and objective, and represents an honest attempt to confront the blacker sides of recent Syrian history." ― Times Higher Education Supplement

"More than an excellent biography of Hafiz al-Asad, Syria's national leader, this is a tour de force of contemporary Syrian history and politics .... Seale perceives Asad as a masterful politician maneuvering Syria into a position of dominance in the Middle East and uncovers much of the mystery that has surrounded the Syrian leader by documenting Asad's interactions, directly and indirectly, with national and regional leaders. Well recommended and indeed required reading for anyone interested in the contemporary Middle East." ― Library Journal

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ University of California Press
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 8, 1989
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 576 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0520069765
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0520069763
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.75 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.25 x 1.1 x 9.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 37 ratings

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Patrick Seale

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
37 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book provides excellent coverage of Syrian history, with one review noting the author's thorough research. They appreciate its readability, with one customer describing it as well-written.

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HistoryReadability
6 customers mention "History"6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's historical content, particularly its coverage of Syrian history, with one customer noting the author's extensive research.

"...Patrick Seale was one of the best Syrian historians; his death is a great loss. A must read for anyone interested in Syria." Read more

"must say, it changes my prospective about many historical events in the area!..." Read more

"...There is a lot of important information in here, but all readers should come into this book understanding its flaws right from the beginning." Read more

"A comprehensive history not only of Asad's life but also that of contemporary Syria. For students of Syrian history, this is a must read." Read more

3 customers mention "Readability"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read.

"...This book is well written and the author has obviously done a lot of research and got to know Asad very well...." Read more

"Best book I've ever read. The author nailed it. He understands Syrian and middle eastern history very much." Read more

"Easy Reading!..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • M.E.Consultancy
    5.0 out of 5 stars "And now you know...."
    Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2016
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Speaking as one who has "been there, done that," hopefully I can provide some extensively observed enlightenment. Syria and the Assad dynasty, for all their faults, has protected the lives and faith of thousands of Christians in the country. Christian religious sites across the country, many dating back 2000 years have been protected. The Cross is displayed on churches and Christian ministers and missionaries preach without imposition or limitation from the government. Insurrection and revolutionary movements have been attempted over the years, and as you would if someone were to take your home away from you, steps were taken and presently are being taken, to suppress the efforts. Should the present revolutionary forces take over the country there will be civil war for years while the various tribes, ethnic and religious combatants vie for control of the government and banking system. The Assad government may not be the ultimate, democratic and sublimely peaceful ruling party that suits your "from afar" position. The takeover by revolutionary forces will result in a blood bath, destruction of churches and the death of thousands of peaceful Christians. Is that your choice? You know of the destruction and havoc to the religious sites and lives of those living in Afghanistan, parts of Syria and Iraq. Certainly, that is not the fate we wish on Syria.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Meghan G.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Must read for those interested in understanding Syria
    Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2014
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Excellent book on Syrian history. This book helps to explain the historical foundation behind the crisis in Syria today. Patrick Seale was one of the best Syrian historians; his death is a great loss. A must read for anyone interested in Syria.
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  • S. Zoubi
    5.0 out of 5 stars Easy Reading!
    Reviewed in the United States on November 11, 2009
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    must say, it changes my prospective about many historical events in the area! Its a good book to start your own debate about the period during Asad's life. It gives you a insight about the man's human side and struggles to control his destiny...I loved the book...
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Matthew Smith
    4.0 out of 5 stars Important but flawed
    Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2008
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    This book is important for anyone trying to learn about the Middle East, but I agree with other reviewers that the book is flawed. It is very biased and paints Asad in a much more positive light than he deserves. Asad and his regime were responsible for many atrocities and has contributed to the instability of the region, but Mr. Seale simply glosses over many of these crimes.

    Mr. Seale's description of Asad's attack against the Syrian city of Hama is cursory at best. By all accounts I have read Hama was devastated, and thousands of people were killed, maimed or displaced, but the account given here doesn't say anything about the human suffering. Not only that but Seale seems to justify and even approve of the action because of the attacks that emanated from this city.

    Asad was not a humanitarian and his regime was extremely oppressive. As with any authoritarian regime Asad enriched cronies to the detriment of the Syrian people. He killed and tortured his own people. These facts seemed to be omitted from this book. I have no idea why this was left out, but it skews the book and leaves the reader an irrevocably flawed book. This book also casts Israel as the main instigator in all the areas troubles. This book will leave the uninformed reader with the impression that had the region simply followed Asad then all would have been well. The fact is that Israel does in fact shoulder some blame for the current situation, but they certainly do not deserve all the blame.

    With that said the book is still important, and deserves the 4 star rating I gave it. Syria is a very important nation and the more we know about it the better informed we will be of the entire situation. This book contributes to the readers greater understanding of this region as long as they understand that the book is biased. The nature of the Asad regime means there will be little information available to readers, so any information is important.

    This book is well written and the author has obviously done a lot of research and got to know Asad very well. There is a lot of important information in here, but all readers should come into this book understanding its flaws right from the beginning.
    12 people found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive & Complete
    Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2016
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    A comprehensive history not only of Asad's life but also that of contemporary Syria. For students of Syrian history, this is a must read.
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  • nizar d kibar
    5.0 out of 5 stars great book
    Reviewed in the United States on September 27, 2019
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    unbiased
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  • Hussain Abdul-Hussain
    3.0 out of 5 stars Not as objective as possible
    Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2007
    Format: Paperback
    This is probably the only available biography of late Syrian President Hafez Assad. Keep in mind that Seale was given all that he had asked for - like many other Western scholars who were treated to the court and became apologetic to the regime - to write this book which makes him, so to speak, the spokesperson of the presidential court. Even though Seale reports about the many murders that happened during the career of Assad, he does so from an apologetic perspective. Assad is always depicted as having to kill before his adversaries kill him. While this could be true in the context of tribal Arab politics, it relieves Assad of all of the responsibilities of the killings that happened during his reign.

    Additionally, the book lacks proper investigative methodology.

    Things are narrated from the eyes of Assad, with some minimal background. When Seale talks about Assad's brother Rifaat who tried to replace his brother through a coups d'etats in the early 80s, for example, Seale gives an account about Rifaat that could have only been written after Rifaat had fallen out with his brother and was sent to exile. Rifaat is described as a hot tempered gangster kid since his early childhood who used to carry a stick and bully his peers. While reports about Rifaat's atrocities during his rule under his brother should not be undermined, stories about Rifaat's innate hot temper should be taken with a grain of salt. If this book was written during the days of Rifaat while still in favor with his brother, then a different account would have probably been produced about the president's brother. Additionally, the sources are limited and often not thoroughly cross examined to establish their credibility when writing the history of Syria's dictator.
    14 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • John Bonar
    5.0 out of 5 stars But it looks good and Patrick knows his
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 18, 2015
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    It is on my list to read. But it looks good and Patrick knows his subject
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  • scminkstein
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 8, 2014
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    brilliant fascinating study of the man who put syria in the forefront of middle east politics
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  • Wassim
    3.0 out of 5 stars A good biography of the late Syrian president
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 4, 2011
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    I say good but with some reservations. The edition that I had of the book was littered with spelling mistakes and I found that particularly annoying. However, Seale gives us a good portrayal of the late Hafez al Assad and his rise to power and subsequent struggle to keep it. Most interesting was the account of his struggle with the international events and crises of the day. Sometimes I felt that Seale was not as impartial as he should have been when discussing the regimes struggle with its opponents and detractors.
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