
The Makers of Modern Syria
The Rise and Fall of Syrian Democracy 1918-1958
Sami Moubayed(Author)
I.B. Tauris (Publisher)
Published on 30. August 2018
Book
Hardback
320 pages
978-1-78453-863-7 (ISBN)
Description
In the aftermath of World War I Syria paved a path towards democracy. Initially as part of the French mandate in the Middle East and latterly as an independent republic, Syria put in place the instruments of democratic government that it was hoped would lead to a stable future. This book tells the story of Syria's formative years, using previously-unseen material from the personal papers of Ahmad Sharabati, a prominent nationalist who served in different capacities during colonial times and early independence, first as minister of defense and then as minister of education. His experiences and those of others of his generation tell the story of Syria's short-lived democratic years, up to the union with Egypt as the United Arab Republic between 1958 and 1961.
Reviews / Votes
`This is a well-written history of Syria in the early to mid-twentieth century as seen primarily through the lives of Hajj Uthman Sharabati and his son Ahmad, both influential figures during French Mandate Syria and in the early independence period following 1946. The book is meticulously researched, and Sami Moubayed has mined and unearthed previously unknown primary Syrian documents to tell the stories of the lives of a number of prominent twentieth century Syrian politicians and political influencers.' - David W. Lesch, Ewing Halsell Distinguished Professor of History, Trinity University, `The Makers of Modern Syria is a moving tribute to the aristocrats who so ably piloted Syria to independence. Their accomplishments - and even their failings - are held up as a Golden Age of Syrian History by Sami Moubayed, a leading Syrian historian. He has carried out many interviews, paged through archives and steeped himself in the published and unpublished memoirs to write a fast-paced and dramatic narrative of triumph and heartbreak. All Syrians will find wisdom and perhaps inspiration in this collective biography about a seminal turning point in Syrian history when parliamentary life was vigorous contested and led by talented and educated men.' - Joshua Landis, Director of the Center for Middle East Studies, University of OklahomaMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
College/higher education
Illustrations
17 black and white in 8-page plates
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 138 mm
Weight
531 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-78453-863-7 (9781784538637)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
08/2018
1st Edition
I.B. Tauris
€37.49
Available for download
Person
Sami Moubayed is a Syrian historian and journalist. From 2012 to 2013, he was a visiting scholar at the Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut, Lebanon. His articles on Middle East affairs have appeared in a variety of newspapers, including al-Ahram Weekly, al-Hayat, Gulf News, The Daily Star, Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, and Asia Times. He is a blogger with The Huffington Post and an online panelist with The Washington Post. He has written several books, including the best-selling Under the Black Flag (2016).
Content
List of Plates
Acknowledgements
Maps
1. Hands That Give, Never Take
2. Damascus Occupied
3. Syria in Revolt
4. The League of National Action
5. Encounter of a Lifetime
6. The Enemy of My Enemy
7. A New Dawn: August 1943
8. Blessed are the Educators
9. Evacuation
10. Dark Clouds
11. On the Brink of War
12. The Nakba
13. The Dictator of Damascus
14. The United Arab Republic and its Aftermath
Dramatis Personae
Notes
Bibliography
Index
Acknowledgements
Maps
1. Hands That Give, Never Take
2. Damascus Occupied
3. Syria in Revolt
4. The League of National Action
5. Encounter of a Lifetime
6. The Enemy of My Enemy
7. A New Dawn: August 1943
8. Blessed are the Educators
9. Evacuation
10. Dark Clouds
11. On the Brink of War
12. The Nakba
13. The Dictator of Damascus
14. The United Arab Republic and its Aftermath
Dramatis Personae
Notes
Bibliography
Index