Ali A. Allawi is research professor, National University of Singapore. He was appointed Iraq’s first postwar civilian Minister of Defense in 2004 and in 2005 was appointed Minister of Finance. This is his third book. He lives in London and Baghdad.
"A reverent, stirring life of the Arab nationalist, friend of T.E.
Lawrence and first monarch of Iraq. Using a host of lost Arab
voices in painting the portrait of Faisal I (1885–1933), the author
fills a void in scholarship with this nuanced biography of a
seminal figure in the shaping of the modern Middle East . . . A
misunderstood sharif finds a worthy, erudite biographer in
Allawi."—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
*Kirkus Reviews*
“Faisal I of Iraq is a sympathetic but by no means uncritical
portrait, drawing on all the available sources, in English and
Arabic. It is unlikely to be dislodged as the standard treatment
for some time to come.”—Christopher de Bellaigue, Financial
Times
*Financial Times*
“Through his skilful use of Arabic as well as British sources, he
portrays Faisal as a convincing multi-dimensional figure. . .This
is the fullest portrait yet of a fascinating figure who played a
significant role in the making of the modern Middle East.”—The
Economist
*The Economist*
“[A]n important achievement and fully confirms that King Faisal was
an outstanding Arab leader.”—Alan Rush, The Spectator
*The Spectator*
“One of the strengths of Allawi’s book is that it ignores received
ideas of imperialism and nationalism and shows the links, as well
as conflicts, between them. . .This biography makes a compelling
case that Faisal I, a foreign monarch born in the Hejaz, educated
in Constantinople, imposed by Britain, was a better rule of Iraq
than most Iraqi leaders.”—Philip Mansel, Literary Review
*Literary Review*
"This tome will hold the interest of both general readers and
specialists, and is notable for being the first full-length
biography of the monarch written in English."—Publishers Weekly
*Publishers Weekly *
'Ali Allawi’s Faisal I of Iraq is excellent and indispensable,
effectively a history on the making of today’s Middle East.'—Simon
Sebag Montefiore, Evening Standard
*Evening Standard*
Shortlisted for the 2014 Slightly Foxed Best First Biography
Prize
*Slightly Foxed*
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