Title: The Great War for Civilisation: The Conquest of the Middle East
Author: Robert Fisk
First published October 3, 2005
1111 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9781400075171 (ISBN10: 1400075173)
Rating: 4.41
Overview
For over thirty years, journalist Robert Fisk has been covering the tumultuous conflicts of the Middle East. In The Great War for Civilisation, he delivers a sweeping and powerful history of the last fifty years of this troubled region.
From the Algerian Civil War to the Iranian Revolution, from the American hostage crisis in Beirut to the Iran-Iraq War, and from the Gulf War to the American invasion of Iraq, Fisk’s unflinching account captures both the tragedy and drama of this complex and often misunderstood part of the world. With lucid analysis and gripping storytelling, The Great War for Civilisation is a vital read for anyone seeking to understand the present state of the Middle East.
About the Author
Meet Robert Fisk, an accomplished English writer and journalist who has dedicated over 30 years of his career as a Middle East correspondent for The Independent, primarily based in Beirut. Throughout his career, he has covered significant events such as the United States’ war in Afghanistan and its 2003 invasion of Iraq, and has authored several books.
Fisk’s exceptional talent in journalism has been recognized with numerous British and International Journalism awards, making him stand out among other foreign correspondents. In fact, The New York Times once described him as “probably the most famous foreign correspondent in Britain.”
Fisk firmly believes that journalism should question authority, especially when governments and politicians lead us into wars. As a pacifist, he has never voted in any elections.
Editoral Review
Book Review: The Great War for Civilisation: The Conquest of the Middle East by Robert Fisk
Robert Fisk’s The Great War for Civilisation: The Conquest of the Middle East is a monumental work of journalism that explores the tumultuous history of the region from World War I to the Iraq War. First published in 2005, the book is a comprehensive account of the political, social, and cultural forces that have shaped the Middle East over the past century.
Fisk is a veteran journalist who has reported from the Middle East for more than three decades. He has witnessed firsthand the events he chronicles in this book, and his deep understanding of the region’s complexities and contradictions is evident on every page.
Fisk’s writing is bold, vivid, and unflinching, and his storytelling is both informative and engaging.
The Great War for Civilisation is divided into five parts, each of which covers a different period in the region’s history. Part one provides an overview of the Middle East’s role in World War I and the subsequent breakup of the Ottoman Empire.
Part two focuses on the rise of Arab nationalism and the creation of Israel, while part three examines the Iranian Revolution and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Part four delves into the Gulf War and the rise of Islamic fundamentalism, and part five covers the Iraq War and its aftermath.
Throughout the book, Fisk introduces readers to a wide range of characters, including politicians, soldiers, activists, and ordinary people caught up in the conflicts that have roiled the Middle East. He also provides rich descriptions of the region’s landscapes and architecture, which serve as a backdrop for the human drama unfolding on the page.
Fisk’s book is notable for its sweeping scope and attention to detail. He covers a vast array of topics, from the origins of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to the role of oil in shaping the region’s politics.
He also offers sharp insights into the cultural and religious underpinnings of the conflicts he describes, providing readers with a deeper understanding of the forces driving events.
One of the book’s strengths is its critical analysis of Western involvement in the Middle East. Fisk is unsparing in his criticism of Western governments and their policies, which he argues have contributed to the region’s instability and violence.
He is particularly critical of the United States, which he sees as having pursued a misguided and often counterproductive strategy in the region.
Despite its many strengths, The Great War for Civilisation is not without its flaws. At times, the book can feel overwhelming in its detail, and some readers may struggle to keep track of the many individuals and events Fisk covers.
Additionally, Fisk’s focus on politics and conflict means that he sometimes overlooks the social and cultural dimensions of life in the Middle East.
Overall, however, The Great War for Civilisation is a remarkable achievement. Fisk has produced a work of journalism that is both rigorous and compelling, and that sheds light on one of the most complex and important regions in the world.
This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the Middle East, and it deserves a wide audience.
Rating: 4.5/5
