This major retelling of the Suez Crisis of 1956—one of the most important events in the history of US policy in the Middle East—shows how President Eisenhower came to realize that Israel; not Egypt; is America’s strongest regional ally.In 1956 President Nasser of Egypt moved to take possession of the Suez Canal; thereby bringing the Middle East to the brink of war. The British and the French; who operated the canal; joined with Israel in a plan to retake it by force. Despite the special relationship between England and America; Dwight Eisenhower intervened to stop the invasion. In Ike’s Gamble; Michael Doran shows how Nasser played the US; invoking America’s opposition to European colonialism to drive a wedge between Eisenhower and two British Prime Ministers; Winston Churchill and Anthony Eden. Meanwhile; in his quest to make himself the strongman of the Arab world; Nasser was making weapons deals with the USSR and destabilizing other Arab countries that the US had been courting. The Suez Crisis was his crowning triumph. In time; Eisenhower would conclude that Nasser had duped him; that the Arab countries were too fractious to anchor America’s interests in the Middle East; and that the US should turn instead to Israel. Affording deep insight into Eisenhower and his foreign policy; this fascinating and provocative history provides a rich new understanding of how the US became the power broker in the Middle East.
#1537134 in Books 2014-03-13Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 .80 x 4.90 x 7.60l; .51 #File Name: 1445635801224 pages
Review
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful. Preparation equals successBy Robert R. BriggsIf you are a lover of exploration than Roald Amundsen has to be one of your heroes. This is not a lengthy book but it gives many facts not found in the other accounts of his explorations. This book is brief in it's coverage of the discovery of the Northwest Passage; his dash to the South Pole and his air flights and the dirgible flight; Norge over the North Pole. Amundsen knew how to prepare for success and this set him apart from so many of his competitors. His preparations for the South Pole expedition compared to Scott give no doubt as to why he made so easily. Much of this book is written about the Norge flight with the Italian; Nobile. There was much hard feeling in this event and Amundsen takes up much of this story in setting the record straight about Nobile's ineffectiveness and trouble making during most of this flight.Yet in spite of his harsh comments about Nobile; he is gracious to all other explorers like; Scott; Perry; Cook and so many others.The main theme of this short book; however; is the great insight it will give you as to why Amundsen succeeded in everything he did. He studied; he prepared; he read; he experimented with equipment and he selected capable people to be his on his team. This is a good add-on if you have read other accounts of his explorations. He was truly a great man.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Polar explorer extraordinaireBy CustomerAmundsen has written a good; high-level account of his life's work exploring the world's polar regions. After reading this you'll no doubt have an appetite to read more about his expeditions. The chapter on the trans-Arctic flight of the "Norge" detracts somewhat as it is more a criticism of Umberto Nobile than an account of that expedition.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. I would have loved to had pictures in the book but it didn't ...By carole naseVery interesting book. I purchased it for my 95 year old mother that actually met Roald Amundsen in her home when she was a young girl. I would have loved to had pictures in the book but it didn't advertise this so I wouldn't say that it is less liked because of this. My mother is really enjoying reading Roald Amundsen's accounts of his life.
