A History of Modern Libya
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Review
'… authoritative, informative and dispassionate …' Times Literary Supplement
Review
'Much more than a political, chronological or narrative review in 200 pages, this work effectively delivers a sympathetic, nevertheless critical, thorough and authoritative analysis … Highly recommended.' Choice
'Vandewalle, an associate professor of government at Dartmouth, is recognized as one of the most knowledgeable students of Libya, and his A History of Modern Libya does not disappoint.' Middle East Quarterly
'There has clearly been no lack of studies on Libya and its leader over the years. The book under review, however, has the advantage of placing developments after 1969 in perspective relative to the country's early history: it shows how Qadhafi's apparent dramatic and idiosyncratic political ideas can be seen as a logical conclusion of Libya's earlier weakness or failure as a state. Emphasizing economic structures and policies, the book places these into a political, ideological, and structural context that makes it an excellent and up-to-date analytical introduction to the history of this country, which has had an impact so much larger than its size.' International Journal of Middle East Studies --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
'Vandewalle, an associate professor of government at Dartmouth, is recognized as one of the most knowledgeable students of Libya, and his A History of Modern Libya does not disappoint.' Middle East Quarterly
'There has clearly been no lack of studies on Libya and its leader over the years. The book under review, however, has the advantage of placing developments after 1969 in perspective relative to the country's early history: it shows how Qadhafi's apparent dramatic and idiosyncratic political ideas can be seen as a logical conclusion of Libya's earlier weakness or failure as a state. Emphasizing economic structures and policies, the book places these into a political, ideological, and structural context that makes it an excellent and up-to-date analytical introduction to the history of this country, which has had an impact so much larger than its size.' International Journal of Middle East Studies --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
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First Sentence
More than two millennia after Herodotus described the empty vastness of the Libyan desert, the German explorer Gustav Nachtigal set out in February 1869 from Tripoli toward Fazzan, and beyond, on a trip to the ruler of Bornu. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index
More than two millennia after Herodotus described the empty vastness of the Libyan desert, the German explorer Gustav Nachtigal set out in February 1869 from Tripoli toward Fazzan, and beyond, on a trip to the ruler of Bornu. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
The author exhibits a depth of knowledge and understanding of his subject. Yet the title "A History of Modern Libya" is a little misleading.
The history is less one of relating events and then interpreting their consequences and significance. Rather the book is most weighted to the author's views on Libya with relatively little historical underpinning. This should not necessarily detract from the validity of his conclusions but one is left with the feeling that a little more "proof" would be welcome. The book would have benefited enormously from more detail about the change in the economic and social life and structures in Libya. It would also have been improved by at least a few graphics (population growth, GDP per head, trade balance, oil production and prices etc). This would have meant one could avoid ponderous repetition of the same observations.
Finally the book could have done with some professional editing. There is far too much repetition and loose structure and (perhaps this is a little pedantic) but ponderous verbosity along with the to this, British ear, the wrong use of verbs (e.g. to augur).
In short I have to respect the author's grasp of his subject but am of the opinion that editing and serious peer review would have allowed the writer to shine more brightly and enabled the reader an easier passage.
The history is less one of relating events and then interpreting their consequences and significance. Rather the book is most weighted to the author's views on Libya with relatively little historical underpinning. This should not necessarily detract from the validity of his conclusions but one is left with the feeling that a little more "proof" would be welcome. The book would have benefited enormously from more detail about the change in the economic and social life and structures in Libya. It would also have been improved by at least a few graphics (population growth, GDP per head, trade balance, oil production and prices etc). This would have meant one could avoid ponderous repetition of the same observations.
Finally the book could have done with some professional editing. There is far too much repetition and loose structure and (perhaps this is a little pedantic) but ponderous verbosity along with the to this, British ear, the wrong use of verbs (e.g. to augur).
In short I have to respect the author's grasp of his subject but am of the opinion that editing and serious peer review would have allowed the writer to shine more brightly and enabled the reader an easier passage.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
3 reviews
12 of 14 people found the following review helpful
A Weak History of Libya Since the Ottoman Period
8 Jan 2009
Format:Paperback
This is a concise history of modern Libya, with token background from the Ottoman period, slightly more detail from the Italian colonial period, and the vast majority of its focus on the monarchy (1951-1969) and the Qadhafi period (1969 to present). The author deals almost exclusively with political and economic history, with very little attention to cultural or religious themes.
Even on such limited terms, the book fails in a number of ways. First, Vandewalle has an odd habit of not defining terms that a reader of such a general history might find useful. For example, he refers often to the Sublime Porte -- a term that a general student of the Middle East and especially of the Ottoman Empire ought to know, certainly, but probably not familiar to the general reader. Another example is the Bab al-Aziziyya, which the author defines on page 150, but which he began using on page 121 (without any hint that a definition was forthcoming).
Second, and more importantly, the book lacks a surprising amount of detail. We are informed that a small group accomplished a coup against King Idris in September, 1969, but we are told almost nothing else: where did the coup happen? How did it happen? Perhaps a palace was stormed, or military installations seized? We are not even told of the fate of King Idris -- was he executed, banished, imprisoned, or left alone? These are all natural questions when dealing with something as momentous as the coup that changed Libya from a shaky kingdom to a radical, terrorist-sponsoring anti-state.
We are informed that two Libyan planes were shot down over the Gulf of Sirt after some kind of dispute. What was the nature of the dispute? Again, we are not told. And very frequently, as with the Gulf of Sirt incident and the Lockerbie bombing, Vandewalle makes allusion to the matter long before offering what scant detail he does provide, meaning the reader must already have some basic background or be left with no means of evaluating the validity of the author's interpretation.
As to that last point, another clear weakness of the book is that the footnotes are extremely sparse. Generalization is far more forgivable where the author directs the conscientious student to further information. That said, this book is a slim 206 pages of text -- the author easily could have added more helpful material without making the book unwieldly.
One final, important weakness is that the author frequently jumps around chronologically, resulting in a confused narrative. Again, the author assumes too much familiarity on the part of the reader, which familiarity makes little sense given the scope of the book.
EDIT: I recommend Libya: From Colony to Independence, by Ronald Bruce St. John, for readers interested in the subject.
Even on such limited terms, the book fails in a number of ways. First, Vandewalle has an odd habit of not defining terms that a reader of such a general history might find useful. For example, he refers often to the Sublime Porte -- a term that a general student of the Middle East and especially of the Ottoman Empire ought to know, certainly, but probably not familiar to the general reader. Another example is the Bab al-Aziziyya, which the author defines on page 150, but which he began using on page 121 (without any hint that a definition was forthcoming).
Second, and more importantly, the book lacks a surprising amount of detail. We are informed that a small group accomplished a coup against King Idris in September, 1969, but we are told almost nothing else: where did the coup happen? How did it happen? Perhaps a palace was stormed, or military installations seized? We are not even told of the fate of King Idris -- was he executed, banished, imprisoned, or left alone? These are all natural questions when dealing with something as momentous as the coup that changed Libya from a shaky kingdom to a radical, terrorist-sponsoring anti-state.
We are informed that two Libyan planes were shot down over the Gulf of Sirt after some kind of dispute. What was the nature of the dispute? Again, we are not told. And very frequently, as with the Gulf of Sirt incident and the Lockerbie bombing, Vandewalle makes allusion to the matter long before offering what scant detail he does provide, meaning the reader must already have some basic background or be left with no means of evaluating the validity of the author's interpretation.
As to that last point, another clear weakness of the book is that the footnotes are extremely sparse. Generalization is far more forgivable where the author directs the conscientious student to further information. That said, this book is a slim 206 pages of text -- the author easily could have added more helpful material without making the book unwieldly.
One final, important weakness is that the author frequently jumps around chronologically, resulting in a confused narrative. Again, the author assumes too much familiarity on the part of the reader, which familiarity makes little sense given the scope of the book.
EDIT: I recommend Libya: From Colony to Independence, by Ronald Bruce St. John, for readers interested in the subject.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Libya as of today.
8 Aug 2008
Format:Hardcover
I thought the book would give a modern view of customs ,geography and archytecture of this country but it was'nt like this.Instead the political history is presented which by the way is written very well.
I know quite a lot of this history as Libya was my second home for years but I feel a bit neglected when the book tells nothing about the people of this region.
I know quite a lot of this history as Libya was my second home for years but I feel a bit neglected when the book tells nothing about the people of this region.
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Excellant and up-to-date reference
4 April 2007
Format:Paperback
As an expat living in Libya since August 2005 I read this book with focused interest. It has greatly helped me understand my government bureaucratic customer. And this new insight has reduced my fustration and increased my effectiveness.
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