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by James Barr Sir

James_Barr_Sir Politics_and_Government English
  • ISBN: 1847394574
  • Category: Politics
  • Author: James Barr Sir
  • Subcategory: Politics & Government
  • Other formats: mbr lrf docx mobi
  • Language: English
  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd; UK ed. edition (April 26, 2012)
  • Pages: 464 pages
  • FB2 size: 1657 kb
  • EPUB size: 1495 kb
  • Rating: 4.4
  • Votes: 669
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The book depicts both Britain and France as the midwives of the state of Israel whose rivalries also gives birth to the grotesque and grissly monsters that has become today's Syria, Iraq and of course Palestine.

A Line In The Sand book . Years later Sir John Shaw, the former chief secretary of Palestine who survived the King David Hotel bombing, was asked to assess Britain’s record in the mandate. In many cases we thought that we were doing good to the people concerned, and indeed we were,’ he said.

Britain, France and the struggle that shaped the Middle East. In 1916, in the middle of the First World War, two men secretly agreed to divide the Middle East between them. Unabridged Audio Download Paperback. Sir Mark Sykes was a visionary politician; François Georges-Picot a diplomat with a grudge. Territory north of that stark line would go to France; land south of it, to Britain.

About James Barr: I read Modern History at Oxford University A Line in the Sand - my latest book - picks up this theme, and describes how this little-known struggle transformed the Middle East, from the destruction of the Ottoman Empire.

About James Barr: I read Modern History at Oxford University. A Line in the Sand - my latest book - picks up this theme, and describes how this little-known struggle transformed the Middle East, from the destruction of the Ottoman Empire in the First World War to the violent birth of the state of Israel in 1948. I have s I read Modern History at Oxford University. Since then I've worked in Westminster in politics, as a leader-writer for the Daily Telegraph, in the City and most recently in Paris. Now, I'm back in London.

Sir Mark Sykes was a visionary politician; Francois Georges-Picot a diplomat with a grudge. Against the odds their pact survived the war to form the basis for the post-war division of the region into five new countries Britain and France would rule.

James Barr (born 1976) is a British author of a number of historical works on the Middle East

James Barr (born 1976) is a British author of a number of historical works on the Middle East Biography. Barr read modern history at Lincoln College, Oxford. In 2006, Barr's history on Lawrence of Arabia and the British war effort in the Middle East was published by Bloomsbury He has worked for the Daily Telegraph, and in Westminster and in London.

I found the entire book most horribly addictive' - The Independent

I found the entire book most horribly addictive' - The Independent. Sir Mark Sykes was a visionary politician; Francois Georges-Picot a diplomat with a grudge.

James Barr has worked in politics, at the Daily Telegraph, in the City, at the British Embassy in Paris, and is currently a. .He read modern history at Oxford has travelled widely in the Middle East

James Barr has worked in politics, at the Daily Telegraph, in the City, at the British Embassy in Paris, and is currently a visiting fellow at King's College, London. He read modern history at Oxford has travelled widely in the Middle East. He lives with his wife and two children in south London.

James is a leading historian of the modern Middle East and author of the widely-acclaimed A Line In The Sand. His latest book, Lords of the Desert, tells the forgotten story of the contest between Britain and America to dominate the post-war Middle East. James read modern history at Oxford.

Through a stellar cast of politicians, diplomats, spies and soldiers - including T.E. Lawrence, Winston Churchill and Charles de Gaulle - 'A Line in the Sand' tells the story of the short but crucial era when Britain and France ruled the Middle East.
Reviews about A Line in the Sand (7):
Adrietius
James Barr’s A Line in the Sand: The Anglo-French Struggle for the Middle East, 1914-1948 is great book for those who are interested in how we came to where we are today in the Middle East. A Line in the Sand is a tale of the competition between Great Britain and France to control the Middle East, from World War I to the birth of Israel. It’s a story of deviousness, betrayal, and violence on all sides and one that neither Britain or France comes away from favorably. Barr’s writing is captivating and objective; while one could develop the idea that he’s sympathetic toward Britain, by the end I didn’t feel sympathy for either. Furthermore, after reading this book you understand why there is no trust in the Middle East; there’s no reason for trust. This is a must read book for understanding the current state of affairs all over the Middle East and the predicament that we in the West have gotten ourselves into.
Cala
I learned from this book most importantly:
1. What two imperialist countries, England and France did behind each other while trying to share the Middle East. On the surface they were allies but actually they backed every movement (including terrorism) against other one. I wonder if it is so even today. Are they really allies?
2.The role of France in establishment of the state of Israel,
3. The global struggle of Jews politically for a new state. They never hesitated resorted violance against England.
4. The struggle of Arabs against France for independence with the help of the British.
5. One should know about that period to understand the source of the present problems in the region,
นℕĨĈტℝ₦
This is an excellent account by James Barr of the history of thirty four years of French and British competition for control of the Middle East.

He starts us at the logical point in late 1915 when Sir Mark Sykes proposed to the British prime minister how they might resolve the conflict with the French about the lands of the Ottoman Empire before it strained a fragile alliance with France. In conjunction with a French diplomat, Georges Picot, a line was determined that would give French control in the north and British control in the south. Keep in mind that France and England are engaged on the European continent in a devasting war against Germany, and yet their long standing mistrust manifests itself in this region.

It appears that every faction, and every player is represented in this book. It is very complex to understand the alliances that were created and the problems they in turn created in the region, but the author does a good job of it. There were times in reading the book that I thought of a pack of dogs fighting, one turning against the other in a violent fury that was devastating for all.

This book also gives the reader a clear understanding of how the Balfour Declaration became a huge problem for the British and the region. Balfour wanted to encourage a home land for the Jews, and Palestine was the chosen area. While, at first blush it appears admirable, the British bungled this and helped to create the tension that still pervades this area today. While Churchill as Colonial Secretary was busy trying to convince the Arabs that the inclusion of the Jews would bring prosperity and happiness to all, the Arabs became more and more hostile as more immigrants arrived. The Jews bought up land and properties from the Arabs, and reclaimed large sections of the land from unproductive marshes and desert to profitable farms and orange groves. And, outide of just agriculture, they developed industry and in the process became more powerful. With the expansion of Nazi forces in Europe, more and more Jews were trying to get to Palestine, and in the end, the British curbed immigration which resulted in the Zionists turning against the British and using terror as a weapon. Hence the bombing of the King David hotel by the great Jewish terrorist Menachin Begin. And all during this time, Jews and Arabs were killing each other and England was providing support to terrorists fighting the French, and the French reciprocating in a like manner against the British.

Once you read this comprehensive book, you will have a much better understanding of the region and the problems that it still presents today, and hopefully begin to understand that outside nations cannot simply draw a line in the sand and expect the people that have lived in that region to go along with their wishes without problems occuring.
Ximinon
Having served with both the Saudi Air Force and the Turkish Air Force, I remember how much they distrusted the British and the French. After finishing Barr's book, I now understand why they still feel that way. I hope this book can help the US understand how the arrogance and ignorance of the two leading colonial powers helped create the Middle Eastern problems that we face today.
Pryl
James Barr's enthralling tale is well told and even better researched as it takes us through the tortuous roads of colonial intrigue that finally releases the forces and tensions of the modern Middle East. The book depicts both Britain and France as the midwives of the state of Israel whose rivalries also gives birth to the grotesque and grissly monsters that has become today's Syria, Iraq and of course Palestine. Highly recommended to anyone who would like to understand the political and social dilemmas facing middle eastern politicians and populace would try to work for a lasting peace in the Region. If ever there is an expose of the thoroughly discredited policies of colonial conquest and rule, this book demonstrates it in an understated and thoroughly human way. Highly recommended
Shadowbourne
A look at the an unfortunate period in the history of the Middle East with all the warts of self-interest and short sightedness -- the destructiveness of looking in the mirror and not out the window. There are few heroes, though I'm sure that each of the adversaries have a different and self-justifying story to tell. Alas, the spinning does nothing to alleviate the results attained. Despite the "where you sit determines where you stand" truism, bad policies come home to roost, as in "what comes around goes around." This book is an excellent integration of complex, multi-faceted events and a sad read.

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