In this reissue of the abridged paperback edition of his critically acclaimed Collusion Across the Jordan, Professor Shlaim chronicles King Abdullah's relationship with the Zionist movement from his appointment as Emir of Transjordan in 1921 to his assassination in 1951. With a new Introduction, placing the book in the wider context of the on-going debate about 1948, this masterly and authoritative study is essential reading for all those interested in the politics of the Middle East.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0
King Abdulla was a Real Politician:
King Abdullah, the founder of Jordan, and son of Sherif Hussein, and grandfather of King Hussein, was a real Arab politician, that I believe Avi has given mostly the best of judgment. I believe, that this man has found a school in Arab politics, and this school has breeded politicians like King Hussein and his son, King Abdullah, Presidents Sadat of Egypt, Burqeiba of Tunisia, and Kings Hassan of Morroco and his son Muhamed the 6th. Political Realism mixed with all the prudence and wisdom, is what... more info
Excellent account of Jordan's formation, Abdullah & 1948:
While much maligned, Avi Shlaim writes an honest and cogent history of Abdullah, Jordan, British involvement in the Middle East and the conflict between Palestinians and Jews leading to 1948. His viewpoint, which many in the dwindling "Peace Now" movement share, needs to be understood. The history he writes is like nothing you will get reading mainstream writers like Bernard Lewis. Don't be scared away by those who say Shlaim's writings are "radical left-wing propaganda." It is nothing of the sort...simply... more info
One of the best books on early Zionist-Jordanian relations:
I read the unabridged version of the Politics of Partition (called "Collusion Across the Jordan") and found it to be an excellent history. My only regret is that Shlaim didn't keep his original title. In reaction to an earlier review, Efraim Karsh's book "Fabricating Israeli History" DOES NOT disprove Shlaim's assertions at all. Karsh's problem is that he can't tolerate the facts that have been uncovered since Israel's thirty-year law made thousands (perhaps millions) of pertinent documents available.... more info
STILL nothing new about the "New Historians".:
His central thesis has been answered by everyone from Daniel Pepes and Shabtai Teveth, to Ephraim Karsh's new book "Fabricating Israeli History". He fabricates whole JAE speeches, mistranslates texts, and literally concocts a "Zionist Mythology" straw man to destroy. He fails. REad Karsh's book.
