REVIEWS
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“James Barr … has written another riveting history, masterfully arrayed and engagingly written. Like a good conversation, it is full of great anecdotes that even those who know this story might have missed.”
“One of the many pleasures offered by Lords of the Desert … is the quotations that are liberally strewn across its pages. They … testify to the research that has gone into this dense but consistently fascinating book.”
“This is a gripping story, and Barr, a gifted narrative historian, tells it well, casting light on both the history of the U.S. presence in the modern Middle East and the dilemmas U.S. policy continues to face there today.”
DAVID GARDNER
FINANCIAL TIMES
JASON BURKE
THE SPECTATOR
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
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“a beautifully written and bracing corrective to the idea that the US and UK were friendly partners in the Middle East”
“a rattling good read of a familiar story presented from an altogether different and fascinating, perspective.”
“excellent … When Mr Barr comes to describe the 1953 coup against Mosaddegh his book reads like a page-turning spy thriller.”
JOHN BEW
NEW STATESMAN
ALI ANSARI
HISTORY TODAY
BARTLE BULL
WALL ST JOURNAL
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“a brilliantly written account that serves as a useful reminder that alliances and history can be deceptive.”
“written with rare fluency, drama and attention to detail.”
“thoroughly researched and splendidly readable”
PETER FRANKOPAN
BBC HISTORY
DOMINIC SANDBROOK
BBC HISTORY
LUCY BENNETT
TLS