Libya: Desert Land in Conflict

by Ted Gottfried

Offers information needed for an understanding of the North African country's shifting role in today's world, covering Libya's turbulent past and its present strategic importance as an oil-rich nation.

Genres: Africa

159 pages, Library Binding

First published March 1, 1994

Reviews

[Tripleguess · Rating 3 out of 5]

As an overview of Libya, its history and geography, I think you could do a lot worse than this book. I was able to read it in one sitting so naturally the information must have been condensed in order to fit a couple thousand years of history (with an emphasis on recent developments) into one volume. It's noteworthy that the book describes Islam (Libya is almost exclusively Muslim) as "tolerant and welcoming to all" but fails to mention what happens to those who refuse or convert out of it. It does mention Islam holy writings that describe women as "a degree less than men" and acknowledges that pretty much any realistic representation of humans or animals is not allowed under strict interpretations of Islam. That is the reason so much creativity is poured into Arabasque architecture and tiles -- nothing else is allowed.

There are interesting discussions of Libya's tribal structure and the way it affects even the most modern city-dwelling Libyan.

A lot of space is given to Muammar Qaddafi, which makes sense. Unfortunately the book is 17 years old (1994) so some research is required to bring a reader fully up to date on current events.