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Libya: The Rise and Fall of Qaddafi
The entire story of Qaddafi's corrupt and repressive regime, the details of its downfall, and what Libya's future may hold in store
For a reader unfamiliar with the history of Libya, Muammar Qaddafi might be mistaken for a character in fiction. His eccentric leadership as the nation's "Brother Leader," his repressive regime, sponsorship of terrorist violence, unique vision of the state, and relentless hold on power all seem implausibly extreme. This riveting book documents the extraordinary reality of Qaddafi's rise and 42-year reign. It also explores the tenacious popular uprising that finally defeated him and the possibilities for Libya as the future unfolds. Alison Pargeter, an author with deep understanding of Libya's history and people, explains what led up to Qaddafi's bloodless coup in 1969 and how he proceeded to translate his highly personalized vision into political, economic, and social policy. She discusses his tight-knit networks, the crises he overcame—including sanctions after the Lockerbie bombing in 1988—as well as his astounding maneuverings in the early 2000s to restore tattered relations with the West. Pargeter provides a thoroughly fascinating analysis of the 2011 revolt and uncovers the full details of Qaddafi's downfall. She concludes by introducing the new power brokers in post-Qaddafi Libya as well as the variety of knotty challenges that now confront them.
For a reader unfamiliar with the history of Libya, Muammar Qaddafi might be mistaken for a character in fiction. His eccentric leadership as the nation's "Brother Leader," his repressive regime, sponsorship of terrorist violence, unique vision of the state, and relentless hold on power all seem implausibly extreme. This riveting book documents the extraordinary reality of Qaddafi's rise and 42-year reign. It also explores the tenacious popular uprising that finally defeated him and the possibilities for Libya as the future unfolds. Alison Pargeter, an author with deep understanding of Libya's history and people, explains what led up to Qaddafi's bloodless coup in 1969 and how he proceeded to translate his highly personalized vision into political, economic, and social policy. She discusses his tight-knit networks, the crises he overcame—including sanctions after the Lockerbie bombing in 1988—as well as his astounding maneuverings in the early 2000s to restore tattered relations with the West. Pargeter provides a thoroughly fascinating analysis of the 2011 revolt and uncovers the full details of Qaddafi's downfall. She concludes by introducing the new power brokers in post-Qaddafi Libya as well as the variety of knotty challenges that now confront them.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published December 14, 2010
14 people are currently reading
427 people want to read
About the author
Alison Pargeter
9 books7 followersAlison Pargeter is a freelance North Africa and Middle East expert with a particular focus on Libya, Tunisia, Iraq (including the Kurdish region), and Egypt, as well as on political Islamist movements, including the Muslim Brotherhood.
A senior Research Associate at RUSI (Royal United Services Institute, Ms. Pargeter has also held a range of academic posts including at the University of Cambridge and Kings College, London. She is regularly called upon to brief policymakers in the UK and internationally, and has addressed a wide range of international audiences, including the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, the International Atomic Energy Agency and various foreign ministries. She has given expert evidence to the UK Foreign Affairs Select Committee and has acted as an expert witness in cases in the UK courts.
A senior Research Associate at RUSI (Royal United Services Institute, Ms. Pargeter has also held a range of academic posts including at the University of Cambridge and Kings College, London. She is regularly called upon to brief policymakers in the UK and internationally, and has addressed a wide range of international audiences, including the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, the International Atomic Energy Agency and various foreign ministries. She has given expert evidence to the UK Foreign Affairs Select Committee and has acted as an expert witness in cases in the UK courts.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 12, 2019
"Libya: The Rise and Fall of Qaddafi" is a book written by an author that knows virtually nothing about her topic for readers like myself who know absolutely nothing. I am giving it four stars for two reasons. First, it provides a competent but episodic history of Qaddafi that fills in the details behind the headlines that he intermittently created in the Anglo-Saxon world. Second, it revealed to me how superficial my understanding of the reality was during my over 40 years of reading this headlines and my completely inability to think critically about what I heard in the media.
Since the early 1960's when I first started watching the televised news, I have regarded the fictitious "arabo-muslim" world through the paranoid eyes of an Anglo-Saxon liberal. The fear was that a great super-hero would emerge to unit all Arabs and Muslims for the purpose of destroying all vestiges of the colonial regimes that ruled their countries prior to WWII and establish a global power that would impose its "arabo-muslim" will on the West. Nasser and the Ayatollah Khomeini were among the bogeymen that I dreaded. I also spent a number of years believing that Qaddafi and his green book might unite the Middle East and the Gulf States against us. Pargeter's book explodes this myth and made me realize just what a superficial thinker I had been.
Pargerter, it must be understood, is not a true expert on either Qaddafi or Libya nor has she conducted any research on her topic. Her bibliography is a modest three pages. Although she cites some of her own interviews in the footnotes, she does not anywhere in the book claim to have conducted a significant number. Ms. Pargeter is a an intelligent observer who has spent almost 30 years developing a true expertise on the subject of the Muslim Brotherhood of Egypt. She appears to have regarded Libya only with her peripheral vision and her book seeks only to educate the grossly ignorant.
Pargeter perceives Libya to have been first a neglected province of the Ottoman Empire that remained so under the Italians. The Kingdom created by the Allies after WWII did nothing to improve things so by the time that Qaddafi, a 27 year-old lieutenant, staged his coup in 1969, Libya was one of the poorest nations in Africa lacking a middle class, political parties and cultural traditions. The Libyans had no national sense identifying themselves with one of three regions (Tripolitania, Cyrenaica, or Fezzan) During his 32 years in powering Qaddafi lived purely by cunning and intimidation. He was a superficial thinker with on aptitude for administration. He failed to build government, economic or cultural institutions. In short, he left Libya as primitive and fragmented as when he found it. Pargeter now feels that the challenges to building a democratic, Libyan nation are enormous if not insurmountable.
With the benefit of Pargeter one sees that Qaddafi was simply a tyrant who ruled the geographic entity of Libyan. He played no leadership outside of Libya and in fact was regarded with contempt by the other leaders of Arab states. Readers like myself who took Qaddafi seriously during this heyday feel somewhat foolish as they lay down Pargeter's book.
Since the early 1960's when I first started watching the televised news, I have regarded the fictitious "arabo-muslim" world through the paranoid eyes of an Anglo-Saxon liberal. The fear was that a great super-hero would emerge to unit all Arabs and Muslims for the purpose of destroying all vestiges of the colonial regimes that ruled their countries prior to WWII and establish a global power that would impose its "arabo-muslim" will on the West. Nasser and the Ayatollah Khomeini were among the bogeymen that I dreaded. I also spent a number of years believing that Qaddafi and his green book might unite the Middle East and the Gulf States against us. Pargeter's book explodes this myth and made me realize just what a superficial thinker I had been.
Pargerter, it must be understood, is not a true expert on either Qaddafi or Libya nor has she conducted any research on her topic. Her bibliography is a modest three pages. Although she cites some of her own interviews in the footnotes, she does not anywhere in the book claim to have conducted a significant number. Ms. Pargeter is a an intelligent observer who has spent almost 30 years developing a true expertise on the subject of the Muslim Brotherhood of Egypt. She appears to have regarded Libya only with her peripheral vision and her book seeks only to educate the grossly ignorant.
Pargeter perceives Libya to have been first a neglected province of the Ottoman Empire that remained so under the Italians. The Kingdom created by the Allies after WWII did nothing to improve things so by the time that Qaddafi, a 27 year-old lieutenant, staged his coup in 1969, Libya was one of the poorest nations in Africa lacking a middle class, political parties and cultural traditions. The Libyans had no national sense identifying themselves with one of three regions (Tripolitania, Cyrenaica, or Fezzan) During his 32 years in powering Qaddafi lived purely by cunning and intimidation. He was a superficial thinker with on aptitude for administration. He failed to build government, economic or cultural institutions. In short, he left Libya as primitive and fragmented as when he found it. Pargeter now feels that the challenges to building a democratic, Libyan nation are enormous if not insurmountable.
With the benefit of Pargeter one sees that Qaddafi was simply a tyrant who ruled the geographic entity of Libyan. He played no leadership outside of Libya and in fact was regarded with contempt by the other leaders of Arab states. Readers like myself who took Qaddafi seriously during this heyday feel somewhat foolish as they lay down Pargeter's book.
August 10, 2023
مثل بقیه مجموعه سرخ ها خیلی مفصل نبود البته فکر نمیکنم شخصیتی مثل قذافی هم خیلی فراز و فرود داشته بوده که دربارش بشه خیلی شرح داد اما در مجموع خوب بود
October 26, 2025
چقدر، چقدر من این کتاب رو دوست داشتم و مثل همیشه آقای اشتری ترجمه هاشون دقیق و عالی بود.
September 6, 2024
در تمام این کتاب قذافی با یک کلمه توصیف میشد «بادیه نشین». مردی که از دل صحرا های لیبی متولد شد؛ صحرایی که شن های اون با تمام دنیا متفاوت بود. شن های لیبی نه مثل شن های صفت کنار دریا بود، نه شبیه شن های نرم کنار رودخانه های سواحل اروپا.
این بادیه نشین در میان همین شن ها متولد شد و سرنوشت کشور لیبی رو برای چهار دهه در دستان خودش گرفت. کاسه ای شنی که سرنوشت ملت اون با بدبختی گره خورده و همچنان هم درگیر رنج و بدبختی دوران سیاه پس از دیکتاتوره.
تولد این هیولا در لیبی همه چیز رو دست خوش تغییر کرد و جماهیری «نام حکومت قذافی» وحشتناکی رو بنیان گذاشت که سال ها باعث فقر و بدبختی مردم لیبی شد. مردی که با شیوه خودش کشوری رو به قعر چاه برد و با نابود کردن تمام ارزش های اخلاقی نه تنها حکومت خودش بلکه آینده یک ملت رو تباه کرد.
اما اگر بخوام بخشی از حس خودم رو به کتاب و شخصیت اون بگم میشه گفت دیگه مثل چائوشسکو یا بطور کمتر خوجه به قذافی علاقه مند نشدم. شخصیت این بادیه نشین حتی برای خواننده هم زشت و اذیت کننده بود و هرچقدر که کتاب جلوتر میرفت فقط یک چیز حس میشد «نفرت».
این بادیه نشین در میان همین شن ها متولد شد و سرنوشت کشور لیبی رو برای چهار دهه در دستان خودش گرفت. کاسه ای شنی که سرنوشت ملت اون با بدبختی گره خورده و همچنان هم درگیر رنج و بدبختی دوران سیاه پس از دیکتاتوره.
تولد این هیولا در لیبی همه چیز رو دست خوش تغییر کرد و جماهیری «نام حکومت قذافی» وحشتناکی رو بنیان گذاشت که سال ها باعث فقر و بدبختی مردم لیبی شد. مردی که با شیوه خودش کشوری رو به قعر چاه برد و با نابود کردن تمام ارزش های اخلاقی نه تنها حکومت خودش بلکه آینده یک ملت رو تباه کرد.
اما اگر بخوام بخشی از حس خودم رو به کتاب و شخصیت اون بگم میشه گفت دیگه مثل چائوشسکو یا بطور کمتر خوجه به قذافی علاقه مند نشدم. شخصیت این بادیه نشین حتی برای خواننده هم زشت و اذیت کننده بود و هرچقدر که کتاب جلوتر میرفت فقط یک چیز حس میشد «نفرت».
February 18, 2013
Libya: The Rise and Fall of Qaddafi begins by covering a brief history of Libya and some of the events that shaped its society and culture up to independence in the aftermath of WW2. It then goes into the benefits and downfalls of King Idris, the monarch who ruled prior to Qaddafi. The meat of the book is dedicated to covering, as the name suggests, the rule and deposing of Colonel Muammar Qaddafi. The book breaks this into sections that cover the first decade of his rule and the various social, political, and economic changes he tried to institute. It then goes on to discuss his era of foreign policy clashes in the Middle East, Africa, and with the West. From there it talks about the crises that occurred in the late 1980's and 1990's as sanctions, a strong Islamic resurgence, and Qaddafi's inability to rule the country on any more than a whimsical level stressed the foundations of the country. Finally, the book covers Qaddafi and his families attempt to hold on to power with various attempts to bring the appearance of reform to the regime to both attract foreign investment and to stave off dissent at home. The last chapter covers the Arab Spring revolution that ousted him and the various impediments the new leaders have faced to creating a more united and democratic country in spite of Qaddafi's legacy that continues to loom over the populace.
This book is an great introduction for those interested in learning more about Libya post-independence and it's affect on the North African region. It is, by-and-large very well written and easy to read. This book only took me several days to get through, but gave me a good understanding of the general swath of Libyan history since 1945. It is certainly not aimed at an expert audience, but nor does it dumb down things too heavily either. The author does not reach any really ground-shaking conclusions (at least that I noticed), but instead succeeded in bringing an up-to-date, fairly comprehensive, and most importantly, cogent account of Libya's modern history to the marketplace.
Recommended for amateur historians looking for something outside their usual area of interest and those looking to learn a bit more about one of the countries overtaken in the Arab Spring.
This book is an great introduction for those interested in learning more about Libya post-independence and it's affect on the North African region. It is, by-and-large very well written and easy to read. This book only took me several days to get through, but gave me a good understanding of the general swath of Libyan history since 1945. It is certainly not aimed at an expert audience, but nor does it dumb down things too heavily either. The author does not reach any really ground-shaking conclusions (at least that I noticed), but instead succeeded in bringing an up-to-date, fairly comprehensive, and most importantly, cogent account of Libya's modern history to the marketplace.
Recommended for amateur historians looking for something outside their usual area of interest and those looking to learn a bit more about one of the countries overtaken in the Arab Spring.
August 12, 2018
As many other reviewers note, this is an excellent "starter" book for those of us who don't have a historical background of how Qaddafi and "his" Libya came into being. It was a quick, interesting, informative, and worthwhile read. Living west of Libya, in Tunisia, I especially appreciated the basic "compare/contrast" in the conclusion, which laid out some of the conditions of each country that resulted in such dramatically different consequences of the toppling of the dictatorships of each. If you want to learn about Libya without having to struggle or get bogged down, this book is a suitable choice.
August 23, 2015
I felt odd after reading this book. I went into it knowing very little about Qaddafi, aside from the fact that he was a flamboyant and eccentric dictator. I honestly thought I would walk away from this spitting on Qaddafi's grave and bidding good riddance to one of the long list of the world's great evils. But I didn't feel that way. I actually at times found myself liking Qaddafi, almost hoping he would succeed. I'm not sure if Pargeter feels that way herself, but Qaddafi came out of this book feeling like a much more charming individual. Bizarre and unstable to be sure, but you almost feel after reading this that he truly may have had good intentions for Libya and its people. But, as we all know, the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
April 10, 2013
Very informative book for people that do not know much about this part of the Middle East nor about Muammer Qaddafi. Starts off in telling how Qaddafi, a poor Bedouin boy cane to be the powerful leader, albeit an unpredictable leader, of Libya.
Goes into all the problems Libya has gone through while under the 42 years of his dictatorship. He was outspoken & bizarre, a unique individual with his recekless ideals and eccentric policies for a country he believed he was destined to lead.
Because of his strange laws & attempts at governing which he knew nothing about & went about so haphazardly in trying to dictate, he was destroyed by his own people. He believed he had the solution to solve all of Libya's problems, and all of mankind's problems also. He died violently & was then put on display for anyone to see. I would think that the Libyan people felt they had to see him destroyed, as part of a healing process, as he put them through so much turmoil.
I enjoyed this book. Learning so much of the history of Libya, always with so much chaos, it is sad they live as they do, with so much violence. I would love to see all these parts of the world, however, being as some parts are, I will settle for reading about these different cultures.
Goes into all the problems Libya has gone through while under the 42 years of his dictatorship. He was outspoken & bizarre, a unique individual with his recekless ideals and eccentric policies for a country he believed he was destined to lead.
Because of his strange laws & attempts at governing which he knew nothing about & went about so haphazardly in trying to dictate, he was destroyed by his own people. He believed he had the solution to solve all of Libya's problems, and all of mankind's problems also. He died violently & was then put on display for anyone to see. I would think that the Libyan people felt they had to see him destroyed, as part of a healing process, as he put them through so much turmoil.
I enjoyed this book. Learning so much of the history of Libya, always with so much chaos, it is sad they live as they do, with so much violence. I would love to see all these parts of the world, however, being as some parts are, I will settle for reading about these different cultures.
January 26, 2023
ماجرای کشوری که در دل جنگ سرد زاده شد و فقیرترین بود.
بعدتر نفت کشف شد، اما باز هم فقیر ماند. فقر اول زاده شن بود، فقر دوم زاده دیکتاتور و توهمش.
خواندنی ست به ویژه برای مخاطب ایرانی تا بداند چرا لیبی امروز به این شکل درآمده؟ چرا مقایسه سرنوشت ایران و لیبی انقدر دور از ذهن و پرت است؟ و چندین چرای دیگر...
بعدتر نفت کشف شد، اما باز هم فقیر ماند. فقر اول زاده شن بود، فقر دوم زاده دیکتاتور و توهمش.
خواندنی ست به ویژه برای مخاطب ایرانی تا بداند چرا لیبی امروز به این شکل درآمده؟ چرا مقایسه سرنوشت ایران و لیبی انقدر دور از ذهن و پرت است؟ و چندین چرای دیگر...
August 3, 2018
A solid introductory text, including a helpful review of Libya's modern history, and the conditions of the country that allowed Qaddafi, a young, poor, Bedouin largely unfamiliar with the wider world, to rise to power.
March 3, 2021
Eye-opening book. Libya seems to exist in a different world, at times.
March 31, 2020
Libya: The Rise and Fall of Qaddafi is an interesting body of work documenting the life of the “Bedouin prophet” Col. Muammar Qaddafi.
Pargeter provides an excellent account of Libyan history over the last century. Addressing the events that led to Qaddafi’s rise to power. The colonization periods by the Ottomans, Greeks, and Italians. The nation’s eventual establishment following WWII and the reluctant reign of King Idris which inspired a young Qaddafi to start a revolution.
Once in power, the young revolutionary feverishly prompted his vision. Championing the ideals of anti-imperialism, unity amongst Arab nations, and his introduction of the ever-domineering Jamahiryah. Qaddafi’s 40 year reign was filled with political experimentation, corruption, and controversy funded by the exploitation Libya’s energy sector and people.
Starved of an established administration, Qaddafi failed to deliver on promises made to the Libyan people. Propped up by the diminutive Green Book, the colonel believed his doctrine would liberate the many nations commodified by the west; setting the table for Qaddafi to assume the role of their leader. The larger than life personality and boundless egoism were character blemishes that made the Colonel several enemies across the Arab world and the west, the latter ultimately sealing his doomsday fate that was to come.
Isolated and enraged by the persistent abuse of Qaddafi’s ever-morphing political ideology, the Libyan citizens seized their future. Inspired by the revolutionary efforts happening in neighboring Algeria, Libyans found the courage to start their own. Initiated by a series of peaceful protests that turned violent Libyans started their revolution and made early progress with homemade weapons. Furious his people were starting a revolution of their own, that included a future without him, Qaddafi began to aggressively reclaim his country. Starting with the hyper policing of the notoriously evasive and quarrelsome East, the Brother Leader spared no mercy for those opposing his beloved Jamahirayah. Although it seemed as Qaddafi was on the verge of reseizing his power yet again, intervention of UN with the blessings of the Arab league sealed the Colonel’s dreadful fate.
Libya had seized its future and ousted the tyrant who suffocated the nation for more than four decades. However, now that Qaddafi was out of the picture the country faced more problems than they had with the colonel in power. Libyans found themselves yet again vying to leave the shadow of the Qaddafi regime. With dozens of economic, governmental, and infrastructure related issues, Libya has a myriad of obstacles to tackle before emerging on the global stage as a modern nation. But at least they have a solid foundation to build upon after decades of turmoil and suffering at the hands of their “prophetic dictator”.
As someone who knew little of Qaddafi before reading this book, I found this to be extremely informative. If I were not able to reference him in African history, I would assume that he was a fictional character of Hollywood. Although the Colonel’s reputation was very gruesome for those who opposed his ideals, he was quite polarizing.
After the removal of sanctions, a lot of reform was made during his later years. The reversal of some of the crippling policies that once hindered the Libyan people were lifted. Not to mention the encouragement of several African nations and leaders to take on an anti-imperialist ideology, something no African leader has done.
I will continue to do more research. I would love to see some of the other accounts of Qaddafi’s life and maybe even something written in a positive light, if there is anything positive that can be drawn from his 40 years of reign.
Pargeter provides an excellent account of Libyan history over the last century. Addressing the events that led to Qaddafi’s rise to power. The colonization periods by the Ottomans, Greeks, and Italians. The nation’s eventual establishment following WWII and the reluctant reign of King Idris which inspired a young Qaddafi to start a revolution.
Once in power, the young revolutionary feverishly prompted his vision. Championing the ideals of anti-imperialism, unity amongst Arab nations, and his introduction of the ever-domineering Jamahiryah. Qaddafi’s 40 year reign was filled with political experimentation, corruption, and controversy funded by the exploitation Libya’s energy sector and people.
Starved of an established administration, Qaddafi failed to deliver on promises made to the Libyan people. Propped up by the diminutive Green Book, the colonel believed his doctrine would liberate the many nations commodified by the west; setting the table for Qaddafi to assume the role of their leader. The larger than life personality and boundless egoism were character blemishes that made the Colonel several enemies across the Arab world and the west, the latter ultimately sealing his doomsday fate that was to come.
Isolated and enraged by the persistent abuse of Qaddafi’s ever-morphing political ideology, the Libyan citizens seized their future. Inspired by the revolutionary efforts happening in neighboring Algeria, Libyans found the courage to start their own. Initiated by a series of peaceful protests that turned violent Libyans started their revolution and made early progress with homemade weapons. Furious his people were starting a revolution of their own, that included a future without him, Qaddafi began to aggressively reclaim his country. Starting with the hyper policing of the notoriously evasive and quarrelsome East, the Brother Leader spared no mercy for those opposing his beloved Jamahirayah. Although it seemed as Qaddafi was on the verge of reseizing his power yet again, intervention of UN with the blessings of the Arab league sealed the Colonel’s dreadful fate.
Libya had seized its future and ousted the tyrant who suffocated the nation for more than four decades. However, now that Qaddafi was out of the picture the country faced more problems than they had with the colonel in power. Libyans found themselves yet again vying to leave the shadow of the Qaddafi regime. With dozens of economic, governmental, and infrastructure related issues, Libya has a myriad of obstacles to tackle before emerging on the global stage as a modern nation. But at least they have a solid foundation to build upon after decades of turmoil and suffering at the hands of their “prophetic dictator”.
As someone who knew little of Qaddafi before reading this book, I found this to be extremely informative. If I were not able to reference him in African history, I would assume that he was a fictional character of Hollywood. Although the Colonel’s reputation was very gruesome for those who opposed his ideals, he was quite polarizing.
After the removal of sanctions, a lot of reform was made during his later years. The reversal of some of the crippling policies that once hindered the Libyan people were lifted. Not to mention the encouragement of several African nations and leaders to take on an anti-imperialist ideology, something no African leader has done.
I will continue to do more research. I would love to see some of the other accounts of Qaddafi’s life and maybe even something written in a positive light, if there is anything positive that can be drawn from his 40 years of reign.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 11, 2024
In "Libya: The Rise and Fall of Qaddafi," Alison Pargeter embarks on a captivating exploration of not just Muammar Qaddafi's life and rule, but also the recent history of Libya itself.
Pargeter meticulously sets the stage by examining the pre-Qaddafi era, highlighting the widespread discontent with the monarchy and the fertile ground it created for revolution. She then delves into the ideology that fueled Qaddafi's ascent. We see the birth of his "Green Book," a blend of Arab nationalism and socialism with a distinctly Qaddafi-esque twist. Pargeter expertly analyzes how this ideology became the cornerstone of his regime, allowing him to consolidate power, build a vast network of loyalists, and establish himself as the omnipresent "Brother Leader."
However, the book doesn't shy away from the contradictions that marked Qaddafi's rule. Pargeter paints a complex portrait, revealing how he could simultaneously use Libya's vast oil wealth to fund social programs while brutally repressing any dissent. She explores Libya's international isolation following the Lockerbie bombing and Qaddafi's subsequent, and often dramatic, attempts to mend ties with the West.
The narrative then shifts to a gripping account of the 2011 uprising. Fueled by the winds of change sweeping across the Arab world during the Arab Spring, Libyans took to the streets demanding change. Pargeter provides a well-rounded analysis of the internal dynamics of the rebellion and the international intervention that ultimately led to Qaddafi's demise. The book doesn't offer a sugar-coated picture of Libya's post-Qaddafi landscape, acknowledging the ongoing struggles for stability and democracy.
Pargeter's strength lies in her balanced perspective. Qaddafi is not simply a villain; his early popularity and modernization efforts are acknowledged alongside the brutality and corruption that defined his later years. This depth is further bolstered by her meticulous research. The book draws on a wealth of sources, providing a well-rounded understanding of Libyan history and Qaddafi's complex legacy. Importantly, Pargeter doesn't just focus on Qaddafi himself. She gives voice to the Libyan people, their aspirations, and the challenges they faced under his rule and in the aftermath.
While the book presents a balanced view of Qaddafi, some readers might desire a more extensive exploration of perspectives supportive of his regime. Additionally, the book primarily focuses on the Qaddafi era. A briefer exploration of Libya's pre-colonial and colonial past could provide further context.
Overall, "Libya: The Rise and Fall of Qaddafi" is a valuable resource for anyone seeking to understand modern Libya and the enigmatic figure of Muammar Qaddafi. Pargeter's insightful analysis offers a compelling exploration of a nation's journey through revolution, dictatorship, and the uncertain path towards a new future.
Pargeter meticulously sets the stage by examining the pre-Qaddafi era, highlighting the widespread discontent with the monarchy and the fertile ground it created for revolution. She then delves into the ideology that fueled Qaddafi's ascent. We see the birth of his "Green Book," a blend of Arab nationalism and socialism with a distinctly Qaddafi-esque twist. Pargeter expertly analyzes how this ideology became the cornerstone of his regime, allowing him to consolidate power, build a vast network of loyalists, and establish himself as the omnipresent "Brother Leader."
However, the book doesn't shy away from the contradictions that marked Qaddafi's rule. Pargeter paints a complex portrait, revealing how he could simultaneously use Libya's vast oil wealth to fund social programs while brutally repressing any dissent. She explores Libya's international isolation following the Lockerbie bombing and Qaddafi's subsequent, and often dramatic, attempts to mend ties with the West.
The narrative then shifts to a gripping account of the 2011 uprising. Fueled by the winds of change sweeping across the Arab world during the Arab Spring, Libyans took to the streets demanding change. Pargeter provides a well-rounded analysis of the internal dynamics of the rebellion and the international intervention that ultimately led to Qaddafi's demise. The book doesn't offer a sugar-coated picture of Libya's post-Qaddafi landscape, acknowledging the ongoing struggles for stability and democracy.
Pargeter's strength lies in her balanced perspective. Qaddafi is not simply a villain; his early popularity and modernization efforts are acknowledged alongside the brutality and corruption that defined his later years. This depth is further bolstered by her meticulous research. The book draws on a wealth of sources, providing a well-rounded understanding of Libyan history and Qaddafi's complex legacy. Importantly, Pargeter doesn't just focus on Qaddafi himself. She gives voice to the Libyan people, their aspirations, and the challenges they faced under his rule and in the aftermath.
While the book presents a balanced view of Qaddafi, some readers might desire a more extensive exploration of perspectives supportive of his regime. Additionally, the book primarily focuses on the Qaddafi era. A briefer exploration of Libya's pre-colonial and colonial past could provide further context.
Overall, "Libya: The Rise and Fall of Qaddafi" is a valuable resource for anyone seeking to understand modern Libya and the enigmatic figure of Muammar Qaddafi. Pargeter's insightful analysis offers a compelling exploration of a nation's journey through revolution, dictatorship, and the uncertain path towards a new future.
July 8, 2018
I must explain my "middling" review of this book.
I certainly enjoyed it; it was well-written and a fast read. What it is NOT, however, is an objective biography of Qaddafi. It is obviously that Pargeter thinks, as many do, that Qaddafi was a nut-case. While I'm not here to argue that is wrong, I would just like to see alternate views on the man in addition to the consensus view.
Also, there's not much here that, if you were paying attention, you didn't already know. But it's a great refresher course on Qaddafi's career. It also gives lie to the assertion, common on the American Left lately, that the US "overthrew" the Qaddafi regime.
Recommended as a "starter" book on Libya.
I certainly enjoyed it; it was well-written and a fast read. What it is NOT, however, is an objective biography of Qaddafi. It is obviously that Pargeter thinks, as many do, that Qaddafi was a nut-case. While I'm not here to argue that is wrong, I would just like to see alternate views on the man in addition to the consensus view.
Also, there's not much here that, if you were paying attention, you didn't already know. But it's a great refresher course on Qaddafi's career. It also gives lie to the assertion, common on the American Left lately, that the US "overthrew" the Qaddafi regime.
Recommended as a "starter" book on Libya.
January 23, 2018
Pargeter gives a great and easy-reading over view of the life and career of Gaddafi, right up until the Libyan revolution of 2011. She provides an interesting read on the mercurial man, who was dedicated to a life of revolution, even if he never seemed sure what that revolution was about.
December 13, 2022
When I get demotivated about my own life! I just reread this book or at-least see its cover. A roller-coaster raid
August 7, 2024
Honestly, I kind of just word vomited below, but if you want, the TLDR:
The book was good. I wouldn't say it was excellent, but it's a good read if you want to learn more about Libya and Gadaffi before the Arab Spring.
Gadaffi was chaotic. I still think his death was excessively gruesome but I also didn't live under his governance, so I can't really judge.
------ Brief summary -----
In "Libya," Pargeter, a MENA expert, explores Libya's history, including the rise and fall of its infamous dictator, Gaddafi, during the Arab Spring.
Gaddafi was quite eccentric, peculiar, and unpredictable. He was of Bedouin descent, belonging to a traditional nomadic Arab tribe in the MENA region. Born in 1942 in Libya, which was still under Italian colonization, Gaddafi's early years were marked by encounters with imperialism and anti-Western rhetoric from a young age.
Gaddafi served in the Libyan military, eventually rising to become a colonel. Dissatisfied with King Idris I, Gadaffi and others staged a military coup in 1969, overthrowing King Idris I, which marked the beginning of Gadaffi's 42-year rule of Libya (from 1969 to 2011).
--------------- Extra tidbits/things that I liked or found interesting ------------
Pargeter effectively portrays Gadaffi's chaotic rule.
Domestically, Gaddafi mismanaged Libya's oil wealth, leading to job shortages, inadequate infrastructure, and a lack of privatization. 8 years after Gadaffi assumed power, he turned Libya into a socialist state known as "Jamahiriya," which translates to "state of the masses." The Jamahiriya was Gaddafi's attempt to eliminate traditional government structures to avoid political corruption (quite ironic) and give people power. In addition to socialist ideologies, Gaddafi was also a champion of Pan-Arabism nationalism, aiming to unite all Arab nations to fight against the West and Zionism. Gaddafi also greatly admired the former President of Egypt, Gamal Abdel Nasser, for his Pan-Arabism ideologies.
Internationally, Gaddafi supported rebels and militants in West Africa (Chad, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Liberia) and endorsed state-sponsored terrorism, notably the Lockerbie bombing in Scotland, which claimed 290 civilian lives in a plane bombing. As a result, Gaddafi's reckless actions isolated Libya from the global community, worsening economic problems and fueling resentment among the Libyan people, which led to the Arab Spring in 2011.
The most interesting thing I learned from the book was Gaddafi's "Third Universal Theory." This theory, detailed in his famous Green Book, is an alternative framework to capitalism and socialism. It is divided into three parts: economics, social, and political. In this theory, Gaddafi emphasizes the significance of Pan-Arabism, socialism, Islam, decentralized political power, and anti-imperialism/anti-colonialism.
----
That said, I think the book was good (not excellent, but good), especially if you want to learn more about Libya's history leading up to the Arab Spring.
The book was good. I wouldn't say it was excellent, but it's a good read if you want to learn more about Libya and Gadaffi before the Arab Spring.
Gadaffi was chaotic. I still think his death was excessively gruesome but I also didn't live under his governance, so I can't really judge.
------ Brief summary -----
In "Libya," Pargeter, a MENA expert, explores Libya's history, including the rise and fall of its infamous dictator, Gaddafi, during the Arab Spring.
Gaddafi was quite eccentric, peculiar, and unpredictable. He was of Bedouin descent, belonging to a traditional nomadic Arab tribe in the MENA region. Born in 1942 in Libya, which was still under Italian colonization, Gaddafi's early years were marked by encounters with imperialism and anti-Western rhetoric from a young age.
Gaddafi served in the Libyan military, eventually rising to become a colonel. Dissatisfied with King Idris I, Gadaffi and others staged a military coup in 1969, overthrowing King Idris I, which marked the beginning of Gadaffi's 42-year rule of Libya (from 1969 to 2011).
--------------- Extra tidbits/things that I liked or found interesting ------------
Pargeter effectively portrays Gadaffi's chaotic rule.
Domestically, Gaddafi mismanaged Libya's oil wealth, leading to job shortages, inadequate infrastructure, and a lack of privatization. 8 years after Gadaffi assumed power, he turned Libya into a socialist state known as "Jamahiriya," which translates to "state of the masses." The Jamahiriya was Gaddafi's attempt to eliminate traditional government structures to avoid political corruption (quite ironic) and give people power. In addition to socialist ideologies, Gaddafi was also a champion of Pan-Arabism nationalism, aiming to unite all Arab nations to fight against the West and Zionism. Gaddafi also greatly admired the former President of Egypt, Gamal Abdel Nasser, for his Pan-Arabism ideologies.
Internationally, Gaddafi supported rebels and militants in West Africa (Chad, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Liberia) and endorsed state-sponsored terrorism, notably the Lockerbie bombing in Scotland, which claimed 290 civilian lives in a plane bombing. As a result, Gaddafi's reckless actions isolated Libya from the global community, worsening economic problems and fueling resentment among the Libyan people, which led to the Arab Spring in 2011.
The most interesting thing I learned from the book was Gaddafi's "Third Universal Theory." This theory, detailed in his famous Green Book, is an alternative framework to capitalism and socialism. It is divided into three parts: economics, social, and political. In this theory, Gaddafi emphasizes the significance of Pan-Arabism, socialism, Islam, decentralized political power, and anti-imperialism/anti-colonialism.
----
That said, I think the book was good (not excellent, but good), especially if you want to learn more about Libya's history leading up to the Arab Spring.
March 28, 2013
Of the numerous newly published books on Libya, this has been the best that I've read so far. Well-written and easy to follow. Though by no means perfect, I would still recommend this book to anyone interested in getting a basic idea of Libya's recent history (and Gaddafi's reign particularly).
May 16, 2013
Excellent book about the mysterious Brotherhood, and its spread not only in the Middle East but in Europe as well. The title should be corrected in Goodreads since this book is not at all about Qaddafi
September 23, 2012
awesome! its clear that Qaddafi was one insane person and i guess he met the end he deserved
September 23, 2012
awesome, very insightful.
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