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King's Counsel: A Memoir of War, Espionage, and Diplomacy in the Middle East
A CIA station chief, later Jordan's lawyer in Washington, reveals the secret history of a lost peace.
Jack O'Connell possessed an uncanny ability to be at the center of things. On his arrival in Jordan in 1958, he unraveled a coup aimed at the young King Hussein, who would become America's most reliable Middle East ally. Over time, their bond of trust and friendship deepened.His narrative contains secrets that will revise our understanding of the Middle East. In 1967, O'Connell tipped off Hussein that Israel would invade Egypt the next morning. Later, as Hussein's Washington counselor, O'Connell learned of Henry Kissinger's surprising role in the Yom Kippur War.
The book's leitmotif is betrayal. Hussein, the Middle East's only bona fide peacemaker, wanted simply the return of the West Bank, seized in the Six-Day War. Despite American promises, the clear directive of UN Resolution 242, and the years of secret negotiations with Israel, that never happened. Hussein's dying wish was that O'Connell tell the unknown story in this book.
289 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 9, 2011
33 people are currently reading
443 people want to read
About the author
Jack O'Connell
38 books51 followersPart classic noir thriller, part mind-bending fantasy, The Resurrectionist is a wild ride into a territory where nothing is as it appears. It is the story of Sweeney, a druggist by trade, and his son, Danny, the victim of an accident that has left him in a persistent coma. Hoping for a miracle, they have come to the fortress-like Peck Clinic, whose doctors claim to have resurrected two patients who were lost in the void, hoping for a miracle. What Sweeney comes to realize, though, is that the real cure to his sons condition may lie in Limbo, a fantasy comic book world into which his son had been drawn at the time of his accident. Plunged into the intrigue that envelops the clinic, Sweeneys search for answers leads to sinister back alleys, brutal dead ends, and terrifying rabbit holes of darkness and mystery.
McConnell has crafted a mesmerizing novel about stories and what they can do for and to those who create them and those who consume them. About the nature of consciousness and the power of the unknown. About psychotic bikers, mad neurologists, and wandering circus freaks. About loss and grief and rage. And, ultimately, about forgiveness and the depth of our need to extend it and receive it.
"
McConnell has crafted a mesmerizing novel about stories and what they can do for and to those who create them and those who consume them. About the nature of consciousness and the power of the unknown. About psychotic bikers, mad neurologists, and wandering circus freaks. About loss and grief and rage. And, ultimately, about forgiveness and the depth of our need to extend it and receive it.
"
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
December 6, 2023
لا جديد يذكر ولا قديم يعاد
رغية عربية محمومة بالسلام
تعنت صهيوني وغطرسة أمريكية
الولايات المتحدة حليف غير موثوق
إسرائيل الحليف الاستراتيجي لاي دولة او حركة وطنية تريد تحرير فلسطين وذلك بسبب العنجهية والغباء
رغية عربية محمومة بالسلام
تعنت صهيوني وغطرسة أمريكية
الولايات المتحدة حليف غير موثوق
إسرائيل الحليف الاستراتيجي لاي دولة او حركة وطنية تريد تحرير فلسطين وذلك بسبب العنجهية والغباء
March 23, 2019
مذكرات لمحامٍ أمريكي عاصر أحداث حرجة وحساسة في الشرق الأوسط وبالتحديد في المملكة الأردنية الهاشمية، ليضعنا ومن خلال ما يتذكره وما يعرفه على أهم الأحداث التي جرت في تلك الحقبة منذ تولي جلالة الملك حسين بن طلال رحمه الله سلطاته الدستورية.
لقد بيَّن أوكونيل سلسلةً من الإجراءات والأفعال الجاسوسية والمراسلات التي تحدث عبره، دون أن يُخفي موالاته للملك الذي اعتبره صديقًا له في زمن الجاسوسية وانعدام الثقة، ليسلط الضوء على محاولات الإغتيال وإطاحة الحكم الهاشمي العديدة والتي كانت وللأسف تديرها أنظمة عربية مجاورة. ليتحدث أيضًا عن الصراع العربي الإسرائيلي، وعن أحداث أيلول أو ما يُعرف بأيلول الأسود الذي احتلت فيه قوات منظمة التحرير الفلسطينية مدعومة من دول عربية عمّان لتُسعى لتشكيل دولة داخل دولة. قبل إخراجها بالقوة من الأردن لتتمركز في لبنان.
وقد شرح ما جرى في حرب تشرين عام 1973 وخداع العرب للمملكة ليبيّن زيف ادعاءات تسريب الملك موعد الحرب، إذ أنه هو نفسه لم يكن يعلم بموعدها إلا من خلال منشق عن النظام السوري دون أن تؤكد له أي دولة ذلك، كرد فعلٍ وانتقام من الأردن لإخراجه ميليشيات منظمة التحرير الفلسطينية، ثم محاولة جرّها للحرب التي لم تتحقق أيٌ من غاياتها التي نشأت بسببها وبقيت الأراضي التي أُحتلت عام 1967 تحت سيطرة إسرائيل، ثم يتابع بسرده لمذكراته عن محاولات السلام التي طُرِحت بعدما أظهرت القراءات الواقعية ضُعف التحالف العربي تجاه القوة العسكرية الإسرائيلية المدعومة من الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية. وما فعلها السادات وكيسنجر من خديعةٍ للأردن ليؤكد انسحاب إسرائيل من الأراضي المصرية على حساب الضفة الغربية التي أوهم الملك بوضعها ضمن مخطط للسلام بين الدول الثلاثة فيسقط الأردن والضفة الغربية من المعاهدة.
ربما من الصعوبة بمكان أن نستوعب تلك التحالفات والخيانات والحرب الجاسوسية في تلك الفترة، وما يؤلم هو انقلاب أبناء الملّة على بعضهم البعض، لكن يبقى هذا تاريخنا ببياضه وسواده ومجبرون على تقبله. ومع ذلك لا يمكن إنكار الحقيقة وليس لأنها مذكرات رجلٍ غربي يجب أن نرفضها لكنها تُرينا حقًا السبب وراء نظرة الغرب المتدنية لنا، لأننا نحن من قدّم الثور الأبيض للذبح.
في النهاية الكتاب لا أجده مذكرات شخصية بحتة بل هي سيرةٌ مؤلمة لزمنٍ صعب مرَّ على الأردن، خطّه رجلٌ أجنبي لم يدفعه سوى حبّه لأرضٍ ليست له وانتماءه لملكٍ ليس ملكه.
ملحوظة: للأسف قبضتُ على جملةِ أخطاءٍ إملائية ونحوية فادحة في هذا الكتاب مما جعلني أستنكر كلا المترجم والمدقق اللغوي على تلك الهفوات الكبيرة التي لا يكتبها طالبٌ في الصف الأول الإبتدائي ككلمتي ( لقاءاً و مساءاً والأصح لقاءً ومساءً ) فوجود الألف بعد الهمزة سبب لي غضبٌ هائل وكلما مررت على تلك الكلمتين اللتين تكررتا كثيرًا في الكتاب أصاب بإحباطٍ كبير.
#إيمان_بني_صخر
لقد بيَّن أوكونيل سلسلةً من الإجراءات والأفعال الجاسوسية والمراسلات التي تحدث عبره، دون أن يُخفي موالاته للملك الذي اعتبره صديقًا له في زمن الجاسوسية وانعدام الثقة، ليسلط الضوء على محاولات الإغتيال وإطاحة الحكم الهاشمي العديدة والتي كانت وللأسف تديرها أنظمة عربية مجاورة. ليتحدث أيضًا عن الصراع العربي الإسرائيلي، وعن أحداث أيلول أو ما يُعرف بأيلول الأسود الذي احتلت فيه قوات منظمة التحرير الفلسطينية مدعومة من دول عربية عمّان لتُسعى لتشكيل دولة داخل دولة. قبل إخراجها بالقوة من الأردن لتتمركز في لبنان.
وقد شرح ما جرى في حرب تشرين عام 1973 وخداع العرب للمملكة ليبيّن زيف ادعاءات تسريب الملك موعد الحرب، إذ أنه هو نفسه لم يكن يعلم بموعدها إلا من خلال منشق عن النظام السوري دون أن تؤكد له أي دولة ذلك، كرد فعلٍ وانتقام من الأردن لإخراجه ميليشيات منظمة التحرير الفلسطينية، ثم محاولة جرّها للحرب التي لم تتحقق أيٌ من غاياتها التي نشأت بسببها وبقيت الأراضي التي أُحتلت عام 1967 تحت سيطرة إسرائيل، ثم يتابع بسرده لمذكراته عن محاولات السلام التي طُرِحت بعدما أظهرت القراءات الواقعية ضُعف التحالف العربي تجاه القوة العسكرية الإسرائيلية المدعومة من الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية. وما فعلها السادات وكيسنجر من خديعةٍ للأردن ليؤكد انسحاب إسرائيل من الأراضي المصرية على حساب الضفة الغربية التي أوهم الملك بوضعها ضمن مخطط للسلام بين الدول الثلاثة فيسقط الأردن والضفة الغربية من المعاهدة.
ربما من الصعوبة بمكان أن نستوعب تلك التحالفات والخيانات والحرب الجاسوسية في تلك الفترة، وما يؤلم هو انقلاب أبناء الملّة على بعضهم البعض، لكن يبقى هذا تاريخنا ببياضه وسواده ومجبرون على تقبله. ومع ذلك لا يمكن إنكار الحقيقة وليس لأنها مذكرات رجلٍ غربي يجب أن نرفضها لكنها تُرينا حقًا السبب وراء نظرة الغرب المتدنية لنا، لأننا نحن من قدّم الثور الأبيض للذبح.
في النهاية الكتاب لا أجده مذكرات شخصية بحتة بل هي سيرةٌ مؤلمة لزمنٍ صعب مرَّ على الأردن، خطّه رجلٌ أجنبي لم يدفعه سوى حبّه لأرضٍ ليست له وانتماءه لملكٍ ليس ملكه.
ملحوظة: للأسف قبضتُ على جملةِ أخطاءٍ إملائية ونحوية فادحة في هذا الكتاب مما جعلني أستنكر كلا المترجم والمدقق اللغوي على تلك الهفوات الكبيرة التي لا يكتبها طالبٌ في الصف الأول الإبتدائي ككلمتي ( لقاءاً و مساءاً والأصح لقاءً ومساءً ) فوجود الألف بعد الهمزة سبب لي غضبٌ هائل وكلما مررت على تلك الكلمتين اللتين تكررتا كثيرًا في الكتاب أصاب بإحباطٍ كبير.
#إيمان_بني_صخر
July 25, 2014
Despite the cynicism which comes with reading a book by a CIA guy, one has to appreciate the criticism which O'Connell levels against Israel: "There is a question the Israelis have to ask themselves, and it's been my thought the whole time I was involved with this, and it was King Hussein's thought: What do they want? Don't they want to have peace with anybody? Do they think they will exist in any happy condition if they don't make peace with any of their neighbors?" (246). These questions come across in an exasperated tone, at the end of the book, after O'Connell has spent nearly 250 pages outlining all the ways that King Hussein tried to reach out to the Israelis during his reign. It carries with it a sense that seems obvious to those of us observing the Palestinian issue, and that is: what Israel is doing in their never-ending occupation is simply unsustainable. At some point hard choices are going to have to be made, or Israel self-destructs.
Through the book, we're walked through a history lesson that dates back to the time O'Connell met King Hussein, when the young King was just 22 years old. From there, the relationship serves as a vantage point for major events in the Palestinian crisis: the 1967 and 1973 wars, the 1982 war in Lebanon, the 1987 intifada, the Camp David and Oslo accords. In all of these instances of course, promises were made and trusts betrayed. The King comes across sincere, as desiring peace, and as devoting his life and power to that end.
The book is interesting from the historical vantage point of being next to King Hussein during the region's most important events, but the thought of what might be missing always weighs on the mind.
Through the book, we're walked through a history lesson that dates back to the time O'Connell met King Hussein, when the young King was just 22 years old. From there, the relationship serves as a vantage point for major events in the Palestinian crisis: the 1967 and 1973 wars, the 1982 war in Lebanon, the 1987 intifada, the Camp David and Oslo accords. In all of these instances of course, promises were made and trusts betrayed. The King comes across sincere, as desiring peace, and as devoting his life and power to that end.
The book is interesting from the historical vantage point of being next to King Hussein during the region's most important events, but the thought of what might be missing always weighs on the mind.
June 27, 2012
King’s Counsel
Jack O’Connell
This was a very interesting memoir describing an extraordinary relationship between the King of Jordan and the CIA man, Mr. O’Connell. A man whose only mission was to keep the King in power, but later on, found he was full of admiration and respect to a king who wholeheartedly wanted and worked for peace.
Through the chapters that described different periods, O’Connell provided a look behind the scenes uncovering secrets and plots, especially for the September 1970 confrontation between Jordan and the PLO, the six day war and the Iraqi Gulf war.
As he describes the peace accord signed between Jordan and Israel, he understood that there would be no real peace as the three major issues were not resolved in that treaty: Jerusalem, the refugees, or the West Bank and the other occupied territories.
In the end, he sums the whole conflict by one final advice. I quote: “I tell the Jordanians, there are three ways you can deal with Israel: militarily, but that’s a mistake, because you can’t win; diplomatically, but you’re no good at it, you’re going to lose there as well; or legally, because that’s where you have the advantage, the law is on your side, and that’s what you start talking about.”
This book gives a different perspective of the Middle East conflicts, describing its complicated political environment in a very simple and interesting manner.
July 12, 2013
Jack O'Connell served as CIA station chief in Jordan from 1963 to 1971, becoming the closest foreign advisor of that country's leader, King Hussein, and remaining his friend and attorney in the decades after that. "King's Counsel" is his memoir, and it contains not only personal insight into the mess that is the Middle East peace process - or lack thereof - but heretofore unrevealed first-person observations of history unfolding, as well as the powerful, behind-the-scenes forces shaping it.
The writing itself is not exceptional, but the subject matter is fascinating, and it is eye-opening to read the views of O'Connell, an old school CIA man cut from much of the same cloth as the diplomatic corps, on people like Henry Kissinger, Saddam Hussein, Anwar Sadat, the Israelis and various U.S. presidents and administrations. It is a clear-eyed, largely apolitical look at the way the United States has behaved in the Middle East, most importantly with regard to our hypocritical support of Israel and our serial betrayal of Jordan.
Highly recommended for students of modern history and real-world diplomatic intrigue.
The writing itself is not exceptional, but the subject matter is fascinating, and it is eye-opening to read the views of O'Connell, an old school CIA man cut from much of the same cloth as the diplomatic corps, on people like Henry Kissinger, Saddam Hussein, Anwar Sadat, the Israelis and various U.S. presidents and administrations. It is a clear-eyed, largely apolitical look at the way the United States has behaved in the Middle East, most importantly with regard to our hypocritical support of Israel and our serial betrayal of Jordan.
Highly recommended for students of modern history and real-world diplomatic intrigue.
January 11, 2012
A distinctive and eye-opening look at the work of the CIA and its connection with Middle-East diplomacy over the past 50-odd years, by the King of Jordan's closest American confidant.
The book is filled with anecdotes like the time the author and a buddy got drunk and broke into a Soviet construction project in Jordan on a whim to bug the site. When the Soviets discovered the slapdash job later, they assumed it couldn't be American work because it was too amateur. The author also discusses more significant historical events, like his time working with America's UN representative Arthur Goldberg to help pass UN Resolution 242 in 1967, which has become the basis for all subsequent peace talks.
This is a wonderful look at the forces that have shaped the Middle East over the past 50 years, and the author's part in shaping them.
May 4, 2013
One of my part time jobs is working as an audiobook proofer. I’ve been proofing audiobooks for a little over 6 months, and for the most part, it has been a series of marginally interesting but not quite captivating science fiction or western narratives, with the occasional bland non-fiction book. King’s Counsel is the first book that I’ve proofed where I was absolutely sucked in.
I studied abroad in Amman, Jordan during college, and visited the country several times as well. I wish that I had read this book before living in Amman (no fault of my own, it was only published in 2011). I don’t know if it would have made me love Amman any more (I’m not a huge fan of the place) or if it really changed my feelings about Jordan at all. But I do think that I gained a historical appreciation for Jordan and for King Hussein that several Middle East history classes I took in college didn’t give me (I wonder if that is because I didn’t listen, or they didn’t teach me about it? They were all classes spanning a dozen countries and hundreds if not thousands of years, though. How can you understand modern Middle Eastern political maneuvering that way? An inch deep and a mile wide, just one of many undergrad problems). For one thing, I never realized how big of a deal it was to loose the West Bank. I’d always considered the West Bank of interest to the Israelis and the Palestinians, and though I knew Jordan had the West Bank up until 1967, it never occurred to me that they ever wanted it back. That is glossed over in our backwards glance to the 6 Days War. But for several years thereafter, it was something that the Jordanians were trying to negotiate and regain control. Return of the West Bank was even stipulated as part of Resolution 242, which I knew, but again never really considered the implications. But we don’t live in that world anymore, where Jordan wants the West Bank, and so it was interesting to go back in time, if you will, and see the aftermath of the 1967 war from the Jordanian perspective.
BTW, Jack O’Connell and his co-author are not great writers. The writing is Spartan and wholly functional, with no thought given to form. I am fine with this, but if this isn’t a topic that you already enjoy, you will not be able to get through it, mostly likely. However, I see this as a natural style for someone who worked as a CIA operative and lawyer for decades. The book is almost legal in its declarations of fact and event, and when O’Connell injects personal anecdotes and opinion into the narrative, as he does often, it is completely straight storytelling, with little detectable embellishment or overreaching. This led me to take much of the narration at face value, though O’Connell no doubt has biases that run deep. But so what? He had decades of experience in the Middle East. He might have biases, but they are informed biases, and he deserves to be part of the conversation. In fact, I think that for all his biases, O’Connell presents a very evenhanded, nuanced account. He fully describes many of King Hussein’s failings as he praises his character and leadership. If you are concerned with bias creep in his recounting of the last 40 years of 20th century Arab-Israeli politics, don’t toss the book out. I recommend instead picking up a book that is of equal informed biases, but for the “other side.” This is the only way towards nuance, and this is the only way towards peace.
That’s right, peace. That’s the cue for it’s time to get preachy.
Because though his book is about the King of Jordan, it is largely a book about Jordan and Israel and Middle Eastern peace. King Hussein was a king who continually sought peace in one of the world’s most conflicted areas. He made a lot of mistakes—the book does not gloss over these mistakes, like his alliance with Nasser and putting the Jordanian military under his control right before the 6 Days War, or Hussein’s tendency to be swayed by the opinion of other Arab leaders, even at the risk of his own country’s interests, nor do I totally buy O’Connell’s attempt to wave away the money given to King Hussein by the US Government and CIA as a non-issue. But when there were tough negotiations, Hussein was there. When there were problems, he put forth solutions, and when there was a chance for compromise, he took it. These are indications of someone who really believes in peace. There are other parties at work here who stall, blame, and play games to maximize their own returns. These are people not interested in peace, and this book (though, again, with some bias. A little! It’s a memoir for crying out loud, not a textbook, I expect this) points to many within Israel, the US, the UN, and Palestinian factions as contributing to the problem.
I recommend this book to anyone who wants to know why, if every US president since Jimmy Carter has promised peace between Israel and Palestine and the other Arab states, why we still don’t have it. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to know more about the US role in Middle East politics, and to anyone fascinated by a modern monarchy like the Hashemite royal family.
I studied abroad in Amman, Jordan during college, and visited the country several times as well. I wish that I had read this book before living in Amman (no fault of my own, it was only published in 2011). I don’t know if it would have made me love Amman any more (I’m not a huge fan of the place) or if it really changed my feelings about Jordan at all. But I do think that I gained a historical appreciation for Jordan and for King Hussein that several Middle East history classes I took in college didn’t give me (I wonder if that is because I didn’t listen, or they didn’t teach me about it? They were all classes spanning a dozen countries and hundreds if not thousands of years, though. How can you understand modern Middle Eastern political maneuvering that way? An inch deep and a mile wide, just one of many undergrad problems). For one thing, I never realized how big of a deal it was to loose the West Bank. I’d always considered the West Bank of interest to the Israelis and the Palestinians, and though I knew Jordan had the West Bank up until 1967, it never occurred to me that they ever wanted it back. That is glossed over in our backwards glance to the 6 Days War. But for several years thereafter, it was something that the Jordanians were trying to negotiate and regain control. Return of the West Bank was even stipulated as part of Resolution 242, which I knew, but again never really considered the implications. But we don’t live in that world anymore, where Jordan wants the West Bank, and so it was interesting to go back in time, if you will, and see the aftermath of the 1967 war from the Jordanian perspective.
BTW, Jack O’Connell and his co-author are not great writers. The writing is Spartan and wholly functional, with no thought given to form. I am fine with this, but if this isn’t a topic that you already enjoy, you will not be able to get through it, mostly likely. However, I see this as a natural style for someone who worked as a CIA operative and lawyer for decades. The book is almost legal in its declarations of fact and event, and when O’Connell injects personal anecdotes and opinion into the narrative, as he does often, it is completely straight storytelling, with little detectable embellishment or overreaching. This led me to take much of the narration at face value, though O’Connell no doubt has biases that run deep. But so what? He had decades of experience in the Middle East. He might have biases, but they are informed biases, and he deserves to be part of the conversation. In fact, I think that for all his biases, O’Connell presents a very evenhanded, nuanced account. He fully describes many of King Hussein’s failings as he praises his character and leadership. If you are concerned with bias creep in his recounting of the last 40 years of 20th century Arab-Israeli politics, don’t toss the book out. I recommend instead picking up a book that is of equal informed biases, but for the “other side.” This is the only way towards nuance, and this is the only way towards peace.
That’s right, peace. That’s the cue for it’s time to get preachy.
Because though his book is about the King of Jordan, it is largely a book about Jordan and Israel and Middle Eastern peace. King Hussein was a king who continually sought peace in one of the world’s most conflicted areas. He made a lot of mistakes—the book does not gloss over these mistakes, like his alliance with Nasser and putting the Jordanian military under his control right before the 6 Days War, or Hussein’s tendency to be swayed by the opinion of other Arab leaders, even at the risk of his own country’s interests, nor do I totally buy O’Connell’s attempt to wave away the money given to King Hussein by the US Government and CIA as a non-issue. But when there were tough negotiations, Hussein was there. When there were problems, he put forth solutions, and when there was a chance for compromise, he took it. These are indications of someone who really believes in peace. There are other parties at work here who stall, blame, and play games to maximize their own returns. These are people not interested in peace, and this book (though, again, with some bias. A little! It’s a memoir for crying out loud, not a textbook, I expect this) points to many within Israel, the US, the UN, and Palestinian factions as contributing to the problem.
I recommend this book to anyone who wants to know why, if every US president since Jimmy Carter has promised peace between Israel and Palestine and the other Arab states, why we still don’t have it. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to know more about the US role in Middle East politics, and to anyone fascinated by a modern monarchy like the Hashemite royal family.
December 15, 2019
مذكرات مدير محطة الاستخبارات المركزية الأمريكية في الأردن ومحامي الأردن في الولايات المتحدة لما يزيد عن 25 عاما بعدها.
الكتاب أقل من المتوقع من ناحية المعلومات التي يقدمها شخص شغل المواقع التي شغلها الكاتب.
لهجة الكاتب الحادة جدا تجاه اسرائيل ملاحظة جدا.
الكتاب أقل من المتوقع من ناحية المعلومات التي يقدمها شخص شغل المواقع التي شغلها الكاتب.
لهجة الكاتب الحادة جدا تجاه اسرائيل ملاحظة جدا.
February 23, 2019
Very informative book about Jordan, the Middle East and Israel. Honestly told by the American lawyer for king Hussein of Jordan. This book filled in a lot of blanks in my knowledge of the Middle East,Israel and the MANY mistakes numerous American presidents made trying to “fix” the issues.
The last chapter is very inspirational. Most Americans don’t understand the Middle East. Supporting the Middle East, not Israel does not make you a holocaust denier. Israel is breaking the law with aid from the United States political egos serving self interests.
I think reading this would be difficult but audio was captivating and an eye opener.
The last chapter is very inspirational. Most Americans don’t understand the Middle East. Supporting the Middle East, not Israel does not make you a holocaust denier. Israel is breaking the law with aid from the United States political egos serving self interests.
I think reading this would be difficult but audio was captivating and an eye opener.
April 20, 2014
Very good book based on the author's relationship with King Hussein and his role in the CIA. His insight on everything from the wars with Israel to the the Iraq wars was very interesting.
March 20, 2021
قرأت هذا الكتاب #مستشار_الملك على أمل الإطلاع على تفاصيل حقبة بداية تشكيلة الدولة وكيف كانت العثرات تتوالى.
الكاتب رئيس شعبة الـ CIA في المملكة وبعدها أصبح محامِ للأردن ولم يخفي ولاءه للملك أبدا.
فبدأ الكاتب كيف التقى بالملك وكيف نجح في كسب ثقته بعد كشفه مخططا للإنقلاب عليه من قبل 22 ضابط في الجيش الأردني وكيف تعامل مع هذا الموضوع وكيف أن الملك حسين رحمه الله كان مطلعاً عن طريق الرجل الثالث والعشرون.
ما يثير الدهشة هُنا كيفية صفح الملك عنهم وكيف عادوا إلى عملهم.
ثم يذهب بنا إلى حقبة الحرب مع العدو الإسرائيلي وكيف عمل الملك في جهة وكيف خانه العرب (مصر، سوريا، منظمة التحرير) من جهة أخرى.
يتحدث عن كيف الملك حسين رحمه الله حاول تشكيل وحدة مع ياسر عرفات وجمال عبدالناصر ولكنهم حاولوا الإطاحة به أكثر من مره.
(لقد شهد الأردنيون على حركة أيلول الأسود وعلى أفعال عرفات).
ويتحدث أيضاً عن عدم ثقة جمال عبدالناصر حين أخبره عن الحرب التي خسرها، في حين تم اتهام الملك بأنه سرب الخطة لليهود ولكن العكس ما حدث.
لقد كان الملك قريبا جدا من إيجاد حل لكن منظمة التحرير التي فوضها الكثير بأن تكون الممثل الوحيد للفلسطينيين كانت قد أعاقت كل ذلك.
ويتحدث عن مدى ثقة الملك بالعشائر وعن كيفية دعمهم للملك والجيش وكيف استعان بهم أبان أعمال الشغب في 1989 وكيف كان الريف قلبا وقالبا مع الملك وما زال.
وعن آثار حرب الكويت الذي عانى منها الأردن أكثر من غيره بسبب دعمه لصدام حسين.
وتحدث عن صدام حسين وعن أن تجار الحروب هم من حشدوا للحرب وأنه كان بالإمكان تجنبها ولكن الكثير كان يسير بإتجاه خاطئ.
وعن أحداث 11 من سبتمبر بأن الأمريكان صنعوا أعداءا لأنفسهم باضطهادهم للمسلمين وكيف كانوا عدائيين تجاههم.
وقد خصص عدة صفحات للجلبي صاحب بنك البتراء ودوره في إسقاط نظام صدام حسين حيث كان يجمع الثروه من ذلك.
يتقدم بنصح للأردنيين بأن هناك 3 طرق للتعامل مع الإسرائيلين، ألا وهي : عسكرياً وأننا لسنا قادرون عليه ودبلوماسيا ونحن لسنا جيدون في هذا المجال وقانونياً لأن القانون في جانبنا.
لقد نجا الأردن من الكثير من المحن والحوادث ولقد بُني من لا شيء تقريباً، لقد عانى الأردن كثيرا لكنه نجا رغم كل شيء.
الكثير من المغالطات التي ما زال يحملها البعض من المعارضين تجاه الملك الراحل الحسين رحمه الله كان قد وضحها في هذا الكتاب.
لقد كان الملك محبطا في كثير من الأحيان بسبب الخيانات والمؤتمرات من حوله.
ولكن الغريب في الأمر رغم صداقته وموقعه في الأردن لم يذكر أي معلومة عن معركة الكرامة بأي شكل من الأشكال.
كتاب ثري جدا لمن يحب التاريخ السياسي للأردن وللملك حسين رحمه الله
يزن الجراح
20/3/2021
الكاتب رئيس شعبة الـ CIA في المملكة وبعدها أصبح محامِ للأردن ولم يخفي ولاءه للملك أبدا.
فبدأ الكاتب كيف التقى بالملك وكيف نجح في كسب ثقته بعد كشفه مخططا للإنقلاب عليه من قبل 22 ضابط في الجيش الأردني وكيف تعامل مع هذا الموضوع وكيف أن الملك حسين رحمه الله كان مطلعاً عن طريق الرجل الثالث والعشرون.
ما يثير الدهشة هُنا كيفية صفح الملك عنهم وكيف عادوا إلى عملهم.
ثم يذهب بنا إلى حقبة الحرب مع العدو الإسرائيلي وكيف عمل الملك في جهة وكيف خانه العرب (مصر، سوريا، منظمة التحرير) من جهة أخرى.
يتحدث عن كيف الملك حسين رحمه الله حاول تشكيل وحدة مع ياسر عرفات وجمال عبدالناصر ولكنهم حاولوا الإطاحة به أكثر من مره.
(لقد شهد الأردنيون على حركة أيلول الأسود وعلى أفعال عرفات).
ويتحدث أيضاً عن عدم ثقة جمال عبدالناصر حين أخبره عن الحرب التي خسرها، في حين تم اتهام الملك بأنه سرب الخطة لليهود ولكن العكس ما حدث.
لقد كان الملك قريبا جدا من إيجاد حل لكن منظمة التحرير التي فوضها الكثير بأن تكون الممثل الوحيد للفلسطينيين كانت قد أعاقت كل ذلك.
ويتحدث عن مدى ثقة الملك بالعشائر وعن كيفية دعمهم للملك والجيش وكيف استعان بهم أبان أعمال الشغب في 1989 وكيف كان الريف قلبا وقالبا مع الملك وما زال.
وعن آثار حرب الكويت الذي عانى منها الأردن أكثر من غيره بسبب دعمه لصدام حسين.
وتحدث عن صدام حسين وعن أن تجار الحروب هم من حشدوا للحرب وأنه كان بالإمكان تجنبها ولكن الكثير كان يسير بإتجاه خاطئ.
وعن أحداث 11 من سبتمبر بأن الأمريكان صنعوا أعداءا لأنفسهم باضطهادهم للمسلمين وكيف كانوا عدائيين تجاههم.
وقد خصص عدة صفحات للجلبي صاحب بنك البتراء ودوره في إسقاط نظام صدام حسين حيث كان يجمع الثروه من ذلك.
يتقدم بنصح للأردنيين بأن هناك 3 طرق للتعامل مع الإسرائيلين، ألا وهي : عسكرياً وأننا لسنا قادرون عليه ودبلوماسيا ونحن لسنا جيدون في هذا المجال وقانونياً لأن القانون في جانبنا.
لقد نجا الأردن من الكثير من المحن والحوادث ولقد بُني من لا شيء تقريباً، لقد عانى الأردن كثيرا لكنه نجا رغم كل شيء.
الكثير من المغالطات التي ما زال يحملها البعض من المعارضين تجاه الملك الراحل الحسين رحمه الله كان قد وضحها في هذا الكتاب.
لقد كان الملك محبطا في كثير من الأحيان بسبب الخيانات والمؤتمرات من حوله.
ولكن الغريب في الأمر رغم صداقته وموقعه في الأردن لم يذكر أي معلومة عن معركة الكرامة بأي شكل من الأشكال.
كتاب ثري جدا لمن يحب التاريخ السياسي للأردن وللملك حسين رحمه الله
يزن الجراح
20/3/2021
June 29, 2020
There are plenty of books about the Middle East, the Palestinians, Israel, the peace process etc... But it is not often - and for me actually the first time - that you read a book written from the Jordanian perspective. This is really refreshing.
The author knows king Hussein, Jordan and the whole region very well. As a former CIA chief of station in Amman and a lawyer representing Jordan in Washington, he has seen it all. In the introduction we can read how he (and the king) was trying to the get this history written down. In the end, Mr. O'Connell had to write it himself. And I think those interested in the region should be grateful for that.
Just make sure that this is not your first book about the Middle East that you are going to read. In order to fully appreciated it, you should have a good understanding of main players and events. Otherwise, you'll miss out on added value of this book which is in small details.
The author knows king Hussein, Jordan and the whole region very well. As a former CIA chief of station in Amman and a lawyer representing Jordan in Washington, he has seen it all. In the introduction we can read how he (and the king) was trying to the get this history written down. In the end, Mr. O'Connell had to write it himself. And I think those interested in the region should be grateful for that.
Just make sure that this is not your first book about the Middle East that you are going to read. In order to fully appreciated it, you should have a good understanding of main players and events. Otherwise, you'll miss out on added value of this book which is in small details.
September 4, 2025
“So the picture in the Middle East is not pretty right now, certainly not as pretty as when I went there. It’s only gotten worse, and worse for the United States.”
(Controversial, Revelatory, Political) It is difficult for me to write an objective review of this book, as it focuses on a person I deeply admired while growing up - someone who had always been regarded in a positive and inspiring light. Reading some of the accounts in this book was painful, and I sincerely hope that they are not true. However, what remains undeniable and unchanging, is the imperialist, selfish, and deceitful manner in which the West has long conducted its affairs in our region. Given the author’s position and loyalties, one must remain open to the possibility that alternative narratives also exist. I must admit that I was surprised by his sharp remarks and frequent criticism of Israel - an aspect that highlights the lasting injustices they have imposed on Palestine and its neighbors to this day.
(Controversial, Revelatory, Political) It is difficult for me to write an objective review of this book, as it focuses on a person I deeply admired while growing up - someone who had always been regarded in a positive and inspiring light. Reading some of the accounts in this book was painful, and I sincerely hope that they are not true. However, what remains undeniable and unchanging, is the imperialist, selfish, and deceitful manner in which the West has long conducted its affairs in our region. Given the author’s position and loyalties, one must remain open to the possibility that alternative narratives also exist. I must admit that I was surprised by his sharp remarks and frequent criticism of Israel - an aspect that highlights the lasting injustices they have imposed on Palestine and its neighbors to this day.
August 8, 2022
Even though i started reading the book on my offensive, knowing that it was written by a CIA agent. I wasn’t neutral in my judgment when going through its pages, mainly when the author was assuring what we’re sure of i.e the CIA/ FBI interference in every single detail of the arab regimes, their influence in the middle eastern countries bureaucracy , how they infiltrate in the administrations; but mainly the book is another proof of the Israeli supremacy over the 22 arab countries in the eyes of US. But what makes this book an exception to what we know in the US foreign policy, figures in its last chapter. A great conclusion highlighting where the arabs should stress out when dealing with the arab/israel conflict. Legal aspect should be the troy horse, the atout that arabs should lobby for, overlapping the military and the diplomatic ways.
September 15, 2020
A Very interesting encounter coming from first-hand witness on one of the most extraordinary personalities in in the middle east. As far as I remember I did not read such an honest thorough analysis and storytelling like this about such topics before. the input of Mr. O’Connell about everything he has seen and witnessed during his time with king Hussein and in the area and in general gives an extraordinary insight about the politics in the Middle East and different eras. I recommend.
July 27, 2019
الكاتب كضابط مخابرات سابق ومستشار عمل لفترة طويلة مع جلالة الملك الحسين بن طلال، يحاول في هذا الكتاب الدفاع بشكل مستميت عن بعض مواقف الملك خصوصاً موقفه من اسرائيل ومباحثاته القديمة معها، وموقفه من الغزو العراقي للكويت، وكذلك موقفه في ٦٧..
وان كان في بعض المواضع ينتقد الملك وان كان على استحياء ..
يحسب للمؤلف تعاطفه الكبير مع القضية الفلسطينية وادانته في مواضع مختلفة للانتهاكات الاسرائيلية..
وان كان في بعض المواضع ينتقد الملك وان كان على استحياء ..
يحسب للمؤلف تعاطفه الكبير مع القضية الفلسطينية وادانته في مواضع مختلفة للانتهاكات الاسرائيلية..
June 4, 2024
Former chief of station for the C.I.A. Jack O'Connell was a key advisor to King Hussein of Jordan as well as a friend during very difficult times. He was instrumental in representing the policy of the United States but also after retiring by providing continued service to the Hashemite Kingdom. This is memoir is a fascinating time capsule of foreign policy of thirty years.
September 6, 2018
قراءة جيدة في عقلية الملك حسين البراغماتية.
معلومات شيقة حول أحداث أيلول ١٩٧٠ والصراع الدائر بين المملكة ومنظمة التحرير الفلسطينية. ولإعادة تنشيط الذاكرة في بعض المعلومات الإستخبارية حول حروب ٦٧ و ٧٣ ومن ثم عمليات السلام.
معلومات شيقة حول أحداث أيلول ١٩٧٠ والصراع الدائر بين المملكة ومنظمة التحرير الفلسطينية. ولإعادة تنشيط الذاكرة في بعض المعلومات الإستخبارية حول حروب ٦٧ و ٧٣ ومن ثم عمليات السلام.
February 15, 2020
Amazing firsthand account of Middle Eastern politics from the point of view of CIA operative who earned the trust of the King of Jordan. In many ways this is a tragic story of opportunities to peace missed.
August 9, 2017
مستشار الملك .. مذكرات عن الحرب والتجسس والدبلوماسية في الشرق الأوسط
لمؤلفه : جاك أوكونيل .. رئيس محطة (سي آي إيه) في الأردن والصديق الصدوق لحسين
لمؤلفه : جاك أوكونيل .. رئيس محطة (سي آي إيه) في الأردن والصديق الصدوق لحسين
November 5, 2019
An interesting memoir and critical view on how the politics are carried out in the Middle East.
March 19, 2020
كتاب رائع يختصر الكثير من تاريخ عملية السلام في الشرق الأوسط أثناء عمل المستشار في الأردن.
May 5, 2020
Solid
February 21, 2023
جيد
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2025
أحببت طريقة السرد مليئة بالمعلومات
May 15, 2012
I was interested in this book because as a teenager I lived in Jordan. In fact, one Friday afternoon at the American Community School in Amman (where I was a tenth grader at the time) during a Little League softball day, I met King Hussein. (In fact, I think it was that same day that my best friend accidentally put his overnight bag in Princess Haya Hussein's car, sparking a security incident that my father, then the Regional Security Officer at the US Embassy, helped to defuse. But I digress...)
The author, Jack O'Connell, was a CIA agent who served as a field agent and station chief in Amman. Later, he retired from the agency and became King Hussein's lawyer and adviser. Along they way they developed a close friendship.
Unfortunately, I didn't think too much of the book. I expected O'Connell to be strongly pro-Arab. He is entitled to his opinion. However, I also expected a bit of balance but there was none. According to O'Connell, all the problems between Israel and its Arab neighbors can be blamed on Israel and the United States. Clearly, the Arab-Israeli peace problem is one of the most intractable on the planet. Any analysis of it will show that there is responsibility on both sides. Nothing is life is as one-sided as O'Connell portrays this problem.
Where O'Connell really lost me is the First Gulf War. According to O'Connell, Saddam was not to blame for the war. The United States was. Saddam had problems with his neighbor, so rather than, you know, talk to them, he invaded them. All that it would have cost to avoid this war would have been for the US and Iraq's Arab neighbors to ask Saddam - nicely, without the threat of force and without any condemnation of his action - to leave and he would have ended his occupation of Kuwait. I wish I were making that up. The really tragic thing with his analysis of this episode is his neglect of the law. O'Connell is a lawyer by training. Throughout the book he proclaims certain actions illegal (basically most anything Israel or the US does). However, during the chapter on Saddam's invasion of Kuwait, his legal judgment is curiously lacking. I think this has to do with his revisionist take on the King's actions during this time. Almost all modern analysis of the Gulf War agrees that the King's refusal to condemn Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait, and his subsequent refusal to join the anti-Saddam coalition, cost him dearly in terms of prestige. O'Connell tries (unsuccessfully, in my opinion) to revise this judgment. In order to do so, he can't have the King siding with the wrong side.
Another glaring problem is O'Connell's condemnation of those people he sees as pro-Israeli, especially Middle East envoy Dennis Ross. Hello? Pot? I'm Kettle. Pleased to meet you. He also condemns Ross' continuing involvement in the process through the Obama administration because of his losing track record at establishing peace. Because O'Connell and his allies have done so well at that. This is nothing more than hypocrisy of which O'Connell seems completely unaware.
All of this can be forgiven as merely a difference of opinion, though. However, on top of all that, the book isn't particularly well-written. In my opinion, O'Connell (and his writing partner Vernon Loeb) handle transitions very badly. In the middle of a chapter, O'Connell will be talking about some weighty matters such as the peace process or Middle East policy, only to shift gears without warning to insert some personal and sometimes unrelated anecdote. Especially bad are the personal anecdotes. There are so few of them that they feel even more out of place when they appear willy-nilly in the middle of the narrative. They go something like this:
The King, the King, the King, Israel bad, Israel bad, my wife died, the King, the King, United States bad. The King, the King, the King, Israel bad, Israel bad, by the way, I got remarried, the King, the King, United States bad. the King, the King, the King, Israel bad, Israel bad, my second wife died, the King, the King, United States bad.
Unfortunately, I can't recommend this book very highly.
The author, Jack O'Connell, was a CIA agent who served as a field agent and station chief in Amman. Later, he retired from the agency and became King Hussein's lawyer and adviser. Along they way they developed a close friendship.
Unfortunately, I didn't think too much of the book. I expected O'Connell to be strongly pro-Arab. He is entitled to his opinion. However, I also expected a bit of balance but there was none. According to O'Connell, all the problems between Israel and its Arab neighbors can be blamed on Israel and the United States. Clearly, the Arab-Israeli peace problem is one of the most intractable on the planet. Any analysis of it will show that there is responsibility on both sides. Nothing is life is as one-sided as O'Connell portrays this problem.
Where O'Connell really lost me is the First Gulf War. According to O'Connell, Saddam was not to blame for the war. The United States was. Saddam had problems with his neighbor, so rather than, you know, talk to them, he invaded them. All that it would have cost to avoid this war would have been for the US and Iraq's Arab neighbors to ask Saddam - nicely, without the threat of force and without any condemnation of his action - to leave and he would have ended his occupation of Kuwait. I wish I were making that up. The really tragic thing with his analysis of this episode is his neglect of the law. O'Connell is a lawyer by training. Throughout the book he proclaims certain actions illegal (basically most anything Israel or the US does). However, during the chapter on Saddam's invasion of Kuwait, his legal judgment is curiously lacking. I think this has to do with his revisionist take on the King's actions during this time. Almost all modern analysis of the Gulf War agrees that the King's refusal to condemn Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait, and his subsequent refusal to join the anti-Saddam coalition, cost him dearly in terms of prestige. O'Connell tries (unsuccessfully, in my opinion) to revise this judgment. In order to do so, he can't have the King siding with the wrong side.
Another glaring problem is O'Connell's condemnation of those people he sees as pro-Israeli, especially Middle East envoy Dennis Ross. Hello? Pot? I'm Kettle. Pleased to meet you. He also condemns Ross' continuing involvement in the process through the Obama administration because of his losing track record at establishing peace. Because O'Connell and his allies have done so well at that. This is nothing more than hypocrisy of which O'Connell seems completely unaware.
All of this can be forgiven as merely a difference of opinion, though. However, on top of all that, the book isn't particularly well-written. In my opinion, O'Connell (and his writing partner Vernon Loeb) handle transitions very badly. In the middle of a chapter, O'Connell will be talking about some weighty matters such as the peace process or Middle East policy, only to shift gears without warning to insert some personal and sometimes unrelated anecdote. Especially bad are the personal anecdotes. There are so few of them that they feel even more out of place when they appear willy-nilly in the middle of the narrative. They go something like this:
The King, the King, the King, Israel bad, Israel bad, my wife died, the King, the King, United States bad. The King, the King, the King, Israel bad, Israel bad, by the way, I got remarried, the King, the King, United States bad. the King, the King, the King, Israel bad, Israel bad, my second wife died, the King, the King, United States bad.
Unfortunately, I can't recommend this book very highly.
July 3, 2023
شرح للكتاب: الكتاب للأمريكي جاك اوكونيل،عمل جاك اوكونيل كمدير لمكتب الـ ( C.I.A ) في عمان في الفترة من عام 1958 الى عام م ومن ثم استمراره كمستشار للملك الحسين حتى 1999 ، واستمراره بطريقة اخرى في ذات العمل الى 1971 وفاته عام 2016،الاثارة في الكتاب هو تناول احداث سرية ومفاوضات واتصالات لم يتم الكشف عنها ولكن الاخطر ان هذه المعلومات تكشف قضايا جدلية وتحسم الأمر حولها فيما يتعلق بمواقف الملك الحسين وكيف ان فيها انصاف وتوضيح الحقيقة مواقفه الشجاعة وديبلوماسيته الذكية وقدرته على الحفاظ على علاقات متميزة مع الجميع مع حرصه على عدم التفريط بالحقوق الفلسطينية مطلقًا
رأي في الكتاب:أول كتاب لي لسياسة في الشرق الأوسط،الكتاب ممتع ووضحلي أشياء كثيرة وأسرار وخبايا،الكتاب مركز على الملك حسين وقد قال الكاتب "أثبت الحسين أنه حاكم بارع كان يعرف أين تكمن قوته"
"لقد عرفت ان الملك كان شخصًامميزًا منذ ان التقيت به لأول مره عندما كان في السن الثانية والعشرين،ولم يأفل نجمه أبدًا ليس الأمر أنه كان شخصًا متألقًا،على الرغم من أنه لديه نوعًا من العبقرية لكن كانت فطرته السياسية جيدة جدًا وكان صاحب عزيمة"
"لقد كان الملك يتمتع بتفاؤل يتعذر كبحه وطاقة لا تنضب. وعندما أنظر إلى الوراء عبر كل تلك السنين، ذلك هو الشيء الوحيد الذي يبرز :حقاً لم يستسلم أبداً"
فالنهاية الكتاب في خفايا لبعض الرؤساء العرب نفس جمال عبد الناصر والسادات وصدام أي أنه غير محصور فقط على الملك حسين،أنصح بالكتاب خاصتًا لو تبي تعرف أكثر للملك حسين وخفايا حروبنا مع الكيان الصهيوني وعدت أمور مهمة في الشرق الأوسط اقتباسات📎
◽-وأعتقد أن صدام حسين في أعماق نفسه كان يحسد الملك على لقبه. لقد كان كلاهما رئيس دولة، ولكن الملك كان ملكاً، وصدام مجرد رئيس
◾- إذا اقتحمت منزل جارك، فإن ذلك ضد القانون. إن ما يفعله الإسرائيليون مخالف للقانون. لست أنا من قلتُ ،ذلك، إن محكمة العدل الدولية هي من قالت ذلك. ومع ذلك لا تولي الولايات المتحدة ولا إسرائيل أي اهتمام لذلك الأمر، ولكن ذلك هو القانون
◽-فقد كان لدى الحسن وجهة نظر تقليدية تجاه صدام في أنه كان طاغية سفاح،ولكن العلاقة شكلت مثالاً على إيمان الملك بأنه يستطيع أن يحقق شيئاً جيداً، مهما كان شريكه صعباً. وقد أظهر الغريزة نفسها على السنين مع عرفات ولا ننسى أن الملك هو الذي أعاد مصر إلى الحظيرة بعد أن قام المصريون بصنع سلامهم المنفصل مع إسرائيل، على الرغم من أنه كان المتضرر الأكبر منها. وهكذا فقد قام بالكثير من الأشياء التي بدت مخالفة لمصلحته، ولكنها كانت تصب جميعها في الغاية نفسها: دعونا توحد العرب، دعونا ننسى الماضي، دعونا نصنع السلام
رأي في الكتاب:أول كتاب لي لسياسة في الشرق الأوسط،الكتاب ممتع ووضحلي أشياء كثيرة وأسرار وخبايا،الكتاب مركز على الملك حسين وقد قال الكاتب "أثبت الحسين أنه حاكم بارع كان يعرف أين تكمن قوته"
"لقد عرفت ان الملك كان شخصًامميزًا منذ ان التقيت به لأول مره عندما كان في السن الثانية والعشرين،ولم يأفل نجمه أبدًا ليس الأمر أنه كان شخصًا متألقًا،على الرغم من أنه لديه نوعًا من العبقرية لكن كانت فطرته السياسية جيدة جدًا وكان صاحب عزيمة"
"لقد كان الملك يتمتع بتفاؤل يتعذر كبحه وطاقة لا تنضب. وعندما أنظر إلى الوراء عبر كل تلك السنين، ذلك هو الشيء الوحيد الذي يبرز :حقاً لم يستسلم أبداً"
فالنهاية الكتاب في خفايا لبعض الرؤساء العرب نفس جمال عبد الناصر والسادات وصدام أي أنه غير محصور فقط على الملك حسين،أنصح بالكتاب خاصتًا لو تبي تعرف أكثر للملك حسين وخفايا حروبنا مع الكيان الصهيوني وعدت أمور مهمة في الشرق الأوسط اقتباسات📎
◽-وأعتقد أن صدام حسين في أعماق نفسه كان يحسد الملك على لقبه. لقد كان كلاهما رئيس دولة، ولكن الملك كان ملكاً، وصدام مجرد رئيس
◾- إذا اقتحمت منزل جارك، فإن ذلك ضد القانون. إن ما يفعله الإسرائيليون مخالف للقانون. لست أنا من قلتُ ،ذلك، إن محكمة العدل الدولية هي من قالت ذلك. ومع ذلك لا تولي الولايات المتحدة ولا إسرائيل أي اهتمام لذلك الأمر، ولكن ذلك هو القانون
◽-فقد كان لدى الحسن وجهة نظر تقليدية تجاه صدام في أنه كان طاغية سفاح،ولكن العلاقة شكلت مثالاً على إيمان الملك بأنه يستطيع أن يحقق شيئاً جيداً، مهما كان شريكه صعباً. وقد أظهر الغريزة نفسها على السنين مع عرفات ولا ننسى أن الملك هو الذي أعاد مصر إلى الحظيرة بعد أن قام المصريون بصنع سلامهم المنفصل مع إسرائيل، على الرغم من أنه كان المتضرر الأكبر منها. وهكذا فقد قام بالكثير من الأشياء التي بدت مخالفة لمصلحته، ولكنها كانت تصب جميعها في الغاية نفسها: دعونا توحد العرب، دعونا ننسى الماضي، دعونا نصنع السلام
June 1, 2017
I really enjoyed parts of this book, but by the end it read too much like an old guy cramming for heaven. Published posthumously, it covers the author's tenure as CIA Chief of Station in Amman, Jordan, and (by his report) a close confidante and adviser to King Hussein, followed by O'Connell's period of serving as the attorney in the United States for the King and the nation of Jordan. I am a real junkie for international affairs and particularly intelligence and military matters, so there is a lot here to appreciate. However, it doesn't have a thread to pull it all together sufficiently. O'Connell's writing style is reasonably engaging, and he possesses wide-ranging knowledge of the region. The main thing I took away from this book that will be of long-standing value is a sense of just how precarious a position the gov't of Jordan is in given the large percentage of Jordanians of Palestinian descent. The King's well-known conflicts with Israel are given in some useful detail, as is O'Connell's plain-spoken disdain for the way the hard-line Israelis and (some power brokers within) the Palestinians have conducted themselves. As I understand O'Connell's argument, the continuation of an armed occupation without real, meaningful peace served neither the Israeli people nor the Palestinian people, but solidified power within the hands of particular political elements over both populations. I can't really disagree with him. Unfortunately, his arguments are based largely on experiences in the past, and I'm not so sure I took away any useful views on the future.
In short, this is an essential book if you follow the politics of the region, and particularly the US within the region... but I'm not sure it's essential because it's all that good. It's more worthwhile because it's not bad, and it provides a semi-insider view, even if the author's insider status seems, at times, somewhat overstated.
In short, this is an essential book if you follow the politics of the region, and particularly the US within the region... but I'm not sure it's essential because it's all that good. It's more worthwhile because it's not bad, and it provides a semi-insider view, even if the author's insider status seems, at times, somewhat overstated.
January 4, 2016
I loved this book. I came into it knowing absolutely nothing about Jordan, King Hussein or that period of time in the Middle East. And I enjoyed this book so much. Jack O'Connell tells such great stories and quick snippets of his time with the King and everyday life, that you get really drawn into it. Also -- he has a good sense of humor, so you can bet that some of the anecdotes will be funny and enjoyable.
For example, when he lands in Egypt, he's already with the CIA, but no one else is supposed to know he's there doing research. He checks into the hotel, and the clerk asks him, "You come from CIA?" O'Donnell writes a hilarious scene where he freezes up, just long enough for the hotel clerk to finish the awkwardness with, "Cairo International Airport?" And then of course all is well.
Really great read, and very good "behind the scenes" stories about that time and place. I enjoyed it thoroughly.
For example, when he lands in Egypt, he's already with the CIA, but no one else is supposed to know he's there doing research. He checks into the hotel, and the clerk asks him, "You come from CIA?" O'Donnell writes a hilarious scene where he freezes up, just long enough for the hotel clerk to finish the awkwardness with, "Cairo International Airport?" And then of course all is well.
Really great read, and very good "behind the scenes" stories about that time and place. I enjoyed it thoroughly.
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August 17, 2011Since I served at the U.S. Embassy in Amman, Jordan in the early 1980s, I found the book an enjoyable trip down memory lane. Many of the places and personages O'Connell mentions in the book are very familiar to me. There were also some very interesting comments made about the political situation in the Middle East, which may or may not be accurate, given O'Connell's long-term relationship and employment as King Hussein's attorney in the U.S.
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