What do you think?
Rate this book
Three Kings: The Rise of an American Empire in the Middle East After World War II
In an account of the U.S. role in the Middle East, Three Kings is an “erudite, persuasively argued, and lucid” (Publishers Weekly) narrative of America’s deep and tangled relationships in the region.
Three Kings reveals a story of America’s scramble for political influence, oil concessions, and a new military presence based on airpower and generous American aid to shaky regimes in Saudi Arabia, Iran, Egypt, and Iraq. Deftly weaving together three decades of U.S. moves in the region, Lloyd Gardner delves into early American efforts to support the influence the Saudi regime (including the creation of Dhahran air base, the target of Osama bin Laden’s first terrorist attack in 1996); the CIA-engineered coup in Iran; Nasser’s Egypt; and, finally, the rise of Iraq as a major petroleum power.
As American policy makers and military planners grapple with a radically new and rapidly shifting political landscape in this vital region, Gardner uncovers “valuable new factual evidence… ably guid[ing] the reader through the perilous chess game that has played out in the region since World War II” (Kirkus Reviews).
Three Kings reveals a story of America’s scramble for political influence, oil concessions, and a new military presence based on airpower and generous American aid to shaky regimes in Saudi Arabia, Iran, Egypt, and Iraq. Deftly weaving together three decades of U.S. moves in the region, Lloyd Gardner delves into early American efforts to support the influence the Saudi regime (including the creation of Dhahran air base, the target of Osama bin Laden’s first terrorist attack in 1996); the CIA-engineered coup in Iran; Nasser’s Egypt; and, finally, the rise of Iraq as a major petroleum power.
As American policy makers and military planners grapple with a radically new and rapidly shifting political landscape in this vital region, Gardner uncovers “valuable new factual evidence… ably guid[ing] the reader through the perilous chess game that has played out in the region since World War II” (Kirkus Reviews).
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
5 people are currently reading
123 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 7, 2023
Could've been a very insightful book if the style of writing isn't convoluted
July 22, 2025
This book was pretty underwhelming. The title is misleading, and I’m not sure which part of the book is supposed to be new scholarship.
January 10, 2011
This book and Jennet Conant's book about Roald Dahl wartime espionage describe the passing of supremacy from Great Britain to the US. Three Kings begins the story of American engagement in the Mideast to obtain sufficient oil to prosecute the war, but also to ensure American primary afterward. Gardner's writing is at times pedantic and it's not really a page turner. I skimmed more detail-laden parts of the book. If you're looking for a fact-filled history book on the subject then this is a good one. If you have only a passing interest in the Middle East or WW2 then I think there are other books that do a better job of both entertaining and informing.
December 3, 2016
an interesting account of the foundation of american involvement in the middle east, particularly with regards the Arab nations. does a good job of setting the scene for the ongoing engagements which define much of the current geopolitical reality. a particularly interesting explanation of the nature of the american empire and the key role that the middle east plays in this, both in terms of fuelling growth and also offering bases for further expansion.
October 12, 2013
Excellent overview regarding America's emergence as the world's reigning power in the Middle East. Well researched and easy to read. An excellent adjunct to any modern Poli-Sci course.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews