Description
Book SynopsisKing Abdullah played an active role in the partition of Palestine and, as a result, has always been viewed as one of the most controversial figures in modern Middle East history. This book is the first in-depth study of the historical and personal circumstances that made him so. Born in Mecca in 1882 of a family that traced its lineage to the Prophet Muhammad, Abdullah belonged to the Ottoman ruling elite. He grew up in Istanbul and returned to Mecca when his father was appointed Sharif in 1908. During the First World War he earned nationalist credentials as a leader of the Arab revolt against the Ottoman Empire. Owing to his alliance with Britain in the revolt, he emerged afterwards as a contender for power in a Middle East now dominated by Britain. Despite grandiose ambitions, Abdullah ended up as Britain's client in the mandated territory of Transjordan. His dependence on Britain was exacerbated by his situation in Transjordan, an artificial creation with no significant cities, no n
Trade Review'Mary Wilson has produced a painstakingly well-researched political biography of Abdullah which seeks to reassess the man and politician and place him in the context of his time. In doing so, she has challenged the conventional wisdom of Abdullah as a wise, astute and benign figure. It is little wonder that her book is being avidly read and argued over in Jordan today.' Middle East International
Table of ContentsList of illustrations; List of maps; Note on transliteration; Acknowledgements; 1. Prologue; 2. Mecca and Istanbul; 3. The Arab revolt; 4. The creation of Transjordan; 5. Settling in; 6. Discovering the limits; 7. Abdullah and Palestine, 1921–39; 8. War and politics; 9. Abdullah, Britain and the Arab world, 1945–8; 10. 1948; 11. The end of ambition; 12. Epilogue; Appendix I: British high commissioners of Palestine; Appendix II: British residents in Transjordan; Appendix III: Prime ministers of Transjordan; Notes; Bibliography; Index.
