Empire of Sand

How Britain Made the Middle East

By: Walter Reid

Narrated by: Derek Perkins

At the end of the First World War, Britain, and to a much lesser extent France, created the modern Middle East. The possessions of the former Ottoman Empire were carved up with scant regard for the wishes of those who lived there. From the outset, the project was destined to fail.

Conflicting and ambiguous promises had been made to the Arabs during the war but were not honored. Brief hopes for Arab unity were dashed, and a harsh belief in western perfidy persists to the present day. Britain was quick to see the riches promised by the black pools of oil that lay on the ground around Baghdad. When France, too, grasped their importance, bitter differences opened up and the area became the focus of a return to traditional enmity. The wartime allies came close to blows and then drifted apart, leaving a vacuum of which Hitler took advantage.

Working from both primary and secondary sources, Walter Reid explores Britain's role in the creation of the modern Middle East and the rise of Zionism from the early years of the twentieth century to 1948, when Britain handed over Palestine to United Nations' control. From the decisions that Britain made has flowed much of the instability of the region and of the worldwide tensions that threaten the twenty-first century; this thought-provoking book considers how much Britain was to blame.

©2011 Walter Reid (P)2022 Tantor

Very detailed.

A great history of how Britain and its policies shaped the current map of the Middle East.

It's a must read.

Walter Reid offers a clear and well-researched look at Britain’s role in the Middle East after WWI. Rather than assigning blame, the book explores the complex mix of ambition, diplomacy, and historical context that shaped the region.

The narration is solid, and while it’s not light listening, it rewards your attention.

Overall, it added layers to my understanding of the Middle East—past and present.

A MUST READ

This definitely is a “must read” for history students.
The book is very well written, in such detail and never boring.
I was aware of much of the history of the Middle East, but it is fascinating to listen to it again in such a chronological manner.
You will not regret it.
The narrator, mr. Derek Perkins, as usual is a pleasure to listen to.
My thanks to all involved, JK.