A non-fiction history of the middle east by James Barr

I often read non-fiction books on the commute to work (audio books), and until this year rarely reviewed them on Woehammer. But this year I’ve decided to include more non-Warhammer books on the basis that if I find a topic interesting, our readers may do so as well.

So onto a Book Review A Line in the Sand by James Barr.

From the Book

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.

Review

During the first and second world war and the times immediately around those events France & Britain were still keen to maintain and expand their empires. And the Middle East offered them both something they wanted – control of land… and oil.

And so it was, that they agreed to divide the territory of the declining Ottoman Empire between them – by drawing straight lines on the maps and through desert. As most readers will guess & know… this did not go well.

James Barr guides us through this slice of history. He explains the tension between Britain and France between the wars. And guides the reader through the impact of the second world war and the change from rivals to allies. The strained relationship of De Gaulle and Churchill and the actions of TE Lawrence (of Arabia).

This is a tale that many in Britain and France will have heard before. But told here with first hand accounts, superb detail, and with a cadence and detail that keeps the reader interested and reading on.

Knowing where things are now politically in this region, adds a sense of poignancy to it and the reader can’t help but think ‘what if…?’

Verdict

James Barr does a fantastic job here. He tells the stories and actions of all parties in the Middle East and none of the major countries come out of this well. From France & Britain and their arguments over the land and self-governance for the Arab locals, to the USA forcing the end of empire whilst building their own and financing Xionists in the region.

Great book, that answers some of the ‘whys’ behind the current political situations in the Middle East.

Check out the full list of Book Reviews we’ve done on Woehammer here

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— Declan & Eeyore