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In a Time of Monsters: Travels Through a Middle East in Revolt
Returning to the UK in September 2010 after serving in Iraq as the political adviser to the top American general, Emma Sky felt no sense of homecoming. She soon found herself back in the Middle East traveling through a region in revolt. In a Time of Monsters bears witness to the demands of young people for dignity and justice during the Arab Spring; the inability of sclerotic regimes to reform; the descent of Syria into civil war; the rise of the Islamic State; and the flight of refugees to Europe. With deep empathy for its people and an extensive understanding of the Middle East, Sky makes a complex region more comprehensible. A great storyteller and observational writer, Sky also reveals the ties that bind the Middle East to the West and how blowback from the West's interventions in the region contributed to the British vote to leave the European Union and to the election of Donald Trump as president of the United States.
320 pages, Paperback
First published February 7, 2019
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395 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
July 17, 2019
89th book for 2019.
If there is a narrative thread to this book, it's probably Emma Sky's attempt to find meaning to the carry on effects of the Iraq War (e.g., the Arab Spring; European Migration Crisis; Brexit).
It's written as what can best be described as a series of "holiday" reports collected over a number of years from various Middle Eastern countries. Sky is obviously well connected as she couch surfs at more than one ambassador's residence, eating and drinking (lots) with all the people she meets, discussing local politics with senior military officials and diplomats, and random locals she meets in cafes and taxis. This would be good if she really drill down into the details and over some sort of overarching narrative to what she's experiencing, but every chapter seems largely disconnected, and the insights were too shallow to add much to my knowledge of Middle East politics.
I don't doubt the author knows the politics of the region well; it's just that she's largely defeated by the structure of the book she's chosen to write.
2-stars.
If there is a narrative thread to this book, it's probably Emma Sky's attempt to find meaning to the carry on effects of the Iraq War (e.g., the Arab Spring; European Migration Crisis; Brexit).
It's written as what can best be described as a series of "holiday" reports collected over a number of years from various Middle Eastern countries. Sky is obviously well connected as she couch surfs at more than one ambassador's residence, eating and drinking (lots) with all the people she meets, discussing local politics with senior military officials and diplomats, and random locals she meets in cafes and taxis. This would be good if she really drill down into the details and over some sort of overarching narrative to what she's experiencing, but every chapter seems largely disconnected, and the insights were too shallow to add much to my knowledge of Middle East politics.
I don't doubt the author knows the politics of the region well; it's just that she's largely defeated by the structure of the book she's chosen to write.
2-stars.
April 24, 2019
Book reviews on www.snazzybooks.com
I didn’t really know what to expect from this novel, but having read an excerpt I found myself drawn to this interesting, different person who was speaking of her return to the UK after spending a long time in the Middle East, and it felt so refreshing. I loved reading a book that describes landscapes and countries in the Middle East as places people might want to visit, instead of just known as being places of religious, political and military strife. Being half Iranian (though Iran certainly isn’t painted in a particularly positive light in this book), I have visited Iran on various occasions and was always surprised at how differently it’s viewed by people who have never actually been there themselves, compared to myself and my dad who grew up there.
The book is not really, as I first thought, a memoir including Emma’s time serving as ‘political adviser to the top American general’, but instead covers the time directly after this, when she returns to England and feels a deep sense of loss, and a lack of belonging. She decides to return to the Middle East and travel through some truly fascinating countries, to observe how changes in the Middle East in the 21st century have affected not just the politices of these nations, but the people who live there.
The book isn’t as narrative-based as I thought it would be. Emma relays her travels in places such as Syria, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Turkey, and many more countries, which I found incredibly interesting and which really made me want to explore that area more. She gives some brief background to the history of these places but (obviously) can’t go into too much detail, otherwise this book would just become a Middle Eastern history book. So, I think some prior background knowledge of this area of the world is probably best to enjoy In A Time of Monsters to its fullest – though readers without this would no doubt still find the descriptions of the people and way of life in these countries incredibly interesting. It doesn’t have much of a story narrative, instead focussing on where Emma went and who she spoke to, at what time – which makes it fit so well into the genres of travel/ current affairs.
I’d recommend this to anyone looking for an interesting, often matter of fact read about the Middle East, its relationship to the West, and Emma’s travels in these countries that boast so much rich history.
Many thanks to Readers First for providing a copy of this book on which I chose to write an honest and unbiased review.
I didn’t really know what to expect from this novel, but having read an excerpt I found myself drawn to this interesting, different person who was speaking of her return to the UK after spending a long time in the Middle East, and it felt so refreshing. I loved reading a book that describes landscapes and countries in the Middle East as places people might want to visit, instead of just known as being places of religious, political and military strife. Being half Iranian (though Iran certainly isn’t painted in a particularly positive light in this book), I have visited Iran on various occasions and was always surprised at how differently it’s viewed by people who have never actually been there themselves, compared to myself and my dad who grew up there.
The book is not really, as I first thought, a memoir including Emma’s time serving as ‘political adviser to the top American general’, but instead covers the time directly after this, when she returns to England and feels a deep sense of loss, and a lack of belonging. She decides to return to the Middle East and travel through some truly fascinating countries, to observe how changes in the Middle East in the 21st century have affected not just the politices of these nations, but the people who live there.
The book isn’t as narrative-based as I thought it would be. Emma relays her travels in places such as Syria, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Turkey, and many more countries, which I found incredibly interesting and which really made me want to explore that area more. She gives some brief background to the history of these places but (obviously) can’t go into too much detail, otherwise this book would just become a Middle Eastern history book. So, I think some prior background knowledge of this area of the world is probably best to enjoy In A Time of Monsters to its fullest – though readers without this would no doubt still find the descriptions of the people and way of life in these countries incredibly interesting. It doesn’t have much of a story narrative, instead focussing on where Emma went and who she spoke to, at what time – which makes it fit so well into the genres of travel/ current affairs.
I’d recommend this to anyone looking for an interesting, often matter of fact read about the Middle East, its relationship to the West, and Emma’s travels in these countries that boast so much rich history.
Many thanks to Readers First for providing a copy of this book on which I chose to write an honest and unbiased review.
May 5, 2024
3.5 stars. Loved this, particularly the unique first-person experience of the Middle East & Arab Spring as it was happening. I struggled at some points with the lag of narrative development, which the storytelling was stagnant a bit, but overall I’m very much a fan of this!
March 3, 2019
Encouraged to read this by Emma Sky’s sharp analysis in BBC radio interviews of the unintended consequences of the Iraq War, I realised too late that to find out more about her role as political advisor to the American commander General Ray Odierno in its aftermath, enabling her to give damning evidence at the Chilcot Enquiry, I should have started with her book “The Unravelling”.
“In a Time of Monsters” proves as is often the case with travel books to be very anecdotal and episodic, often revealing some telling insights through a chance encounter, but also frustrating, even confusing at times, in what it omits or glosses over. The background history of the Shias versus Sunni is a little too fragmented, while the explanation of the Caliphates from the death of Mohammed up to the recent attempts of Daesh to create a single Islamic state probably comes too late in the book, some two-thirds of the way through.
“Bored, bitter and twisted”, with an acute sense of anticlimax and loss of purpose after her return to London in 2010, perhaps even a little traumatised by her experience in Iraq as she suggests most westerners are, she resolves to make sense of events by visiting countries affected by the Arab Spring: Egypt, Tunisia, Syria, Iraq, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kurdistan and so on.
Making use of what seems like an inexhaustible network of obliging high level political contacts prepared to engage in boozy debates, Emma Sky has no difficulty in striking up conversations with strangers prepared to chat at length . Perhaps her childhood as the matron’s daughter at a boys’ boarding school gave her the confidence to act with such ease in “a man’s world” and also to embark on risky, physically tough journeys, solo or with a male guide for the reward of seeing beautiful, remote areas, like the mountains of Kyrgyzstan. Skimming along the river on a jet ski, white-water rafting, swimming into caves to scale waterfalls: sometimes, the socialising and exciting activities, seem too much of a digression from the lives of ordinary Arabs.
It is no surprise that Emma Sky criticises the US for allowing Daesh (or ISIS) to gain a foothold in Iraq in the anger over government corruption and discrimination against Sunnis following the fall of Saddam Hussein. She also condemns the failure to take early action against Assad in Syria to force him to negotiate. It is perhaps more of a surprise that she is so harsh on Obama, described as “leading from behind” and being too passive. However, she does not really provide convincing evidence that continued use of direct force by the West would have yielded the desired results without unacceptable levels of bloodshed, not to mention resentment over apparent attempts to dominate . She is also very critical of Iran as a somewhat malign and destabilising force, reaching tentacles even to the borders of Israel, but was perhaps unable to make the visit to the country which would assist a clear and more objective analysis.
There is a logical progression, in that, being in date order, the visits reflect the passage of events, so that by 2014 Emma Sky is at the refugee camp of Zaatari, close to the border in Jordan, which has become the fourth largest city in the country owing to the flood of refugees from Syria. By 2016 she is in Greece and Eastern Europe tracing the destabilising pressure of Arab refugees pushed out by the devastation in parts of the Middle East. She even visits London to suggest, perhaps too simplistically, that the Brexit vote itself was largely the result of concerns over migration triggered partly by the instability of the Middle East.
The Epilogue finds her on the pilgrim trail to Santiago de Compostela in Spain, a time of acceptance of her past naïve over-optimism, but clinging to the belief that “this is not a time for cynicism or despair” in the hope that her students will manage to leave the world a better place than they found it.
“In a Time of Monsters” proves as is often the case with travel books to be very anecdotal and episodic, often revealing some telling insights through a chance encounter, but also frustrating, even confusing at times, in what it omits or glosses over. The background history of the Shias versus Sunni is a little too fragmented, while the explanation of the Caliphates from the death of Mohammed up to the recent attempts of Daesh to create a single Islamic state probably comes too late in the book, some two-thirds of the way through.
“Bored, bitter and twisted”, with an acute sense of anticlimax and loss of purpose after her return to London in 2010, perhaps even a little traumatised by her experience in Iraq as she suggests most westerners are, she resolves to make sense of events by visiting countries affected by the Arab Spring: Egypt, Tunisia, Syria, Iraq, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kurdistan and so on.
Making use of what seems like an inexhaustible network of obliging high level political contacts prepared to engage in boozy debates, Emma Sky has no difficulty in striking up conversations with strangers prepared to chat at length . Perhaps her childhood as the matron’s daughter at a boys’ boarding school gave her the confidence to act with such ease in “a man’s world” and also to embark on risky, physically tough journeys, solo or with a male guide for the reward of seeing beautiful, remote areas, like the mountains of Kyrgyzstan. Skimming along the river on a jet ski, white-water rafting, swimming into caves to scale waterfalls: sometimes, the socialising and exciting activities, seem too much of a digression from the lives of ordinary Arabs.
It is no surprise that Emma Sky criticises the US for allowing Daesh (or ISIS) to gain a foothold in Iraq in the anger over government corruption and discrimination against Sunnis following the fall of Saddam Hussein. She also condemns the failure to take early action against Assad in Syria to force him to negotiate. It is perhaps more of a surprise that she is so harsh on Obama, described as “leading from behind” and being too passive. However, she does not really provide convincing evidence that continued use of direct force by the West would have yielded the desired results without unacceptable levels of bloodshed, not to mention resentment over apparent attempts to dominate . She is also very critical of Iran as a somewhat malign and destabilising force, reaching tentacles even to the borders of Israel, but was perhaps unable to make the visit to the country which would assist a clear and more objective analysis.
There is a logical progression, in that, being in date order, the visits reflect the passage of events, so that by 2014 Emma Sky is at the refugee camp of Zaatari, close to the border in Jordan, which has become the fourth largest city in the country owing to the flood of refugees from Syria. By 2016 she is in Greece and Eastern Europe tracing the destabilising pressure of Arab refugees pushed out by the devastation in parts of the Middle East. She even visits London to suggest, perhaps too simplistically, that the Brexit vote itself was largely the result of concerns over migration triggered partly by the instability of the Middle East.
The Epilogue finds her on the pilgrim trail to Santiago de Compostela in Spain, a time of acceptance of her past naïve over-optimism, but clinging to the belief that “this is not a time for cynicism or despair” in the hope that her students will manage to leave the world a better place than they found it.
April 26, 2019
interesting, nuanced, accessible. I'm not well-versed in Middle Eastern politics or history so I'm not sure how accurate it is but it felt genuine and well-researched.
April 14, 2021
As a Middle Eastern studies student, I really appreciate the travel journal style of Sky. It is a great window into the region during the Arab Spring, ofcourse, from the perspective of a westerner. Even for those with little-to-no knowledge of the region, Sky's ability to give small snippets of historical context in her writing makes the novel very informative and easy to follow.
September 11, 2019
Really this is a 2.5. it's a good book, don't get me wrong. Sky delves into some deep issues and engages with some fascinating concepts and conflicts. But it really is hamstrung by its halfway travelogue halfway journey of self discovery format. It's an intensely personal journey for the author that we are part of, but it's hard to fully appreciate it due to the format. A brave attempt and some great pieces within it though.
October 14, 2024
Emma Sky's In a Time of Monsters: Travels Through a Middle East in Revolt offers a profound exploration of the complexities and human experiences within the Middle East during a period of significant upheaval. The book serves as both a travelogue and an incisive political commentary, reflecting on the aftermath of the Arab Spring and the ongoing struggles faced by various nations in the region.
Sky, a former political advisor to a top U.S. general in Iraq, returns to the Middle East after her tenure, driven by a sense of loss and a desire to understand the evolving landscape. Her journey takes her through countries deeply affected by the Arab Spring, providing insights into the political dynamics and personal stories that characterize each locale. The narrative is enriched by her encounters with individuals grappling with the consequences of conflict, displacement, and hope.
One of the most striking aspects of Sky's writing is her ability to humanize the people she meets. Despite encountering individuals with whom she may disagree politically, she emphasizes their shared humanity. For instance, during her travels to the Greek-Macedonian border amidst the refugee crisis, she recounts moments of warmth and hospitality from Syrian refugees, highlighting their resilience and kindness even in dire circumstances1.
Sky’s work is not merely anecdotal; it is deeply rooted in historical context. She provides readers with a concise yet comprehensive understanding of each country's political situation, exploring how historical events shape contemporary realities. This approach makes her narrative accessible to those unfamiliar with Middle Eastern politics while still engaging for informed readers24.
Throughout her travels, Sky grapples with feelings of belonging and identity. Her reflections on returning to England after her time in Iraq reveal a sense of disconnection from her home country, prompting her to seek meaning through travel. This theme resonates throughout the book as she navigates various cultures and communities, ultimately advocating for empathy and understanding across cultural divides.
Sky's writing style is described as clear and unpretentious, reflecting her intellectual commitment to conveying complex issues without overwhelming readers with jargon. This accessibility allows her to effectively communicate the intricacies of Middle Eastern politics while maintaining an engaging narrative flow.
In a Time of Monsters stands out as a vital contribution to contemporary literature on the Middle East. It encourages readers to view individuals beyond their political affiliations or national identities, fostering a deeper understanding of the region's challenges and humanity. Sky’s journey not only informs but also inspires readers to contemplate their role in creating a more compassionate world amidst global turmoil. Her work is essential for anyone seeking insight into the ongoing struggles in the Middle East and serves as a reminder of our shared humanity in times of crisis.
Sky, a former political advisor to a top U.S. general in Iraq, returns to the Middle East after her tenure, driven by a sense of loss and a desire to understand the evolving landscape. Her journey takes her through countries deeply affected by the Arab Spring, providing insights into the political dynamics and personal stories that characterize each locale. The narrative is enriched by her encounters with individuals grappling with the consequences of conflict, displacement, and hope.
One of the most striking aspects of Sky's writing is her ability to humanize the people she meets. Despite encountering individuals with whom she may disagree politically, she emphasizes their shared humanity. For instance, during her travels to the Greek-Macedonian border amidst the refugee crisis, she recounts moments of warmth and hospitality from Syrian refugees, highlighting their resilience and kindness even in dire circumstances1.
Sky’s work is not merely anecdotal; it is deeply rooted in historical context. She provides readers with a concise yet comprehensive understanding of each country's political situation, exploring how historical events shape contemporary realities. This approach makes her narrative accessible to those unfamiliar with Middle Eastern politics while still engaging for informed readers24.
Throughout her travels, Sky grapples with feelings of belonging and identity. Her reflections on returning to England after her time in Iraq reveal a sense of disconnection from her home country, prompting her to seek meaning through travel. This theme resonates throughout the book as she navigates various cultures and communities, ultimately advocating for empathy and understanding across cultural divides.
Sky's writing style is described as clear and unpretentious, reflecting her intellectual commitment to conveying complex issues without overwhelming readers with jargon. This accessibility allows her to effectively communicate the intricacies of Middle Eastern politics while maintaining an engaging narrative flow.
In a Time of Monsters stands out as a vital contribution to contemporary literature on the Middle East. It encourages readers to view individuals beyond their political affiliations or national identities, fostering a deeper understanding of the region's challenges and humanity. Sky’s journey not only informs but also inspires readers to contemplate their role in creating a more compassionate world amidst global turmoil. Her work is essential for anyone seeking insight into the ongoing struggles in the Middle East and serves as a reminder of our shared humanity in times of crisis.
March 17, 2019
Essential insight into the Middle East
Emma Sky writes in a fluid way, linking her work and travels around the Middle East with the politics, and wars in the region. She also considers the knock on effects in Europe and the rest of the world. Revealed to the reader is the human side of the Arabs, Muslims, and folk who populate this far away landscape, coming across positively we see aspects of their daily lives and how they are connected to us. We are also informed about the environmental, social and humanity impacts of the conflicts and controlling powers within this diverse and rich region. An engaging, colourful and informative read.
There are many facets to this book, we learn about the work that Emma did in the area, which leads in to her travels, meeting people after the Coalition forces have withdrawn. Taking a trip to countries wrapped within the Arab Spring, then the spectral rise of Daesh/ISIS from the ashes of defeated foes. Emma then Follows the march of the refugees trying to escape their destruction by Assad and Daesh, while Europe has a mixed reaction of providing some support as well as total ignorance to their plight, as the over faced flimsy dinghies take their souls to the depths of the Mediterranean. The Russian support of Assad prolonging the civil war in Syria, their airstrikes against homes and hospitals then feeding the mass exodus to neighbouring countries and Europe.
The drive of the right wing in Europe, massively inflating the fears of the Syrians moving to their countries and causing them harm, rising and bringing about Britain’s Exit of the European Union. The fracture of the European Union serving Russian ambitions to bring their nation back to the world stage, retaking former Soviet territory.
This book really highlights how the conflicts in the Middle East impact the Europeans and do not occur in isolation. As Europeans we are very similar to those in the Middle East, and have a vested interest in peace and freedom for those who live there. Despite some of the focus being on the negative sides, this book holds onto hope rather than fear. Emma has an authentic view as a European who has lived and travelled across the Middle East, uniquely having worked with both UK and US forces as well as the local populace. By the end of the book I have been brought closer to that far away place.
We have to brave enough to understand why there is suffering and oppression, remembering that despite a different nationality, these are still people who are not dissimilar to ourselves. This book brings a message of hope, but to bring about a better Europe, the Middle East must find peace. We have to consider the motivations of those who seek or wield political power and be cautious about how they want us to perceive others.
This book is an eye opener and everybody should read it.
Emma Sky writes in a fluid way, linking her work and travels around the Middle East with the politics, and wars in the region. She also considers the knock on effects in Europe and the rest of the world. Revealed to the reader is the human side of the Arabs, Muslims, and folk who populate this far away landscape, coming across positively we see aspects of their daily lives and how they are connected to us. We are also informed about the environmental, social and humanity impacts of the conflicts and controlling powers within this diverse and rich region. An engaging, colourful and informative read.
There are many facets to this book, we learn about the work that Emma did in the area, which leads in to her travels, meeting people after the Coalition forces have withdrawn. Taking a trip to countries wrapped within the Arab Spring, then the spectral rise of Daesh/ISIS from the ashes of defeated foes. Emma then Follows the march of the refugees trying to escape their destruction by Assad and Daesh, while Europe has a mixed reaction of providing some support as well as total ignorance to their plight, as the over faced flimsy dinghies take their souls to the depths of the Mediterranean. The Russian support of Assad prolonging the civil war in Syria, their airstrikes against homes and hospitals then feeding the mass exodus to neighbouring countries and Europe.
The drive of the right wing in Europe, massively inflating the fears of the Syrians moving to their countries and causing them harm, rising and bringing about Britain’s Exit of the European Union. The fracture of the European Union serving Russian ambitions to bring their nation back to the world stage, retaking former Soviet territory.
This book really highlights how the conflicts in the Middle East impact the Europeans and do not occur in isolation. As Europeans we are very similar to those in the Middle East, and have a vested interest in peace and freedom for those who live there. Despite some of the focus being on the negative sides, this book holds onto hope rather than fear. Emma has an authentic view as a European who has lived and travelled across the Middle East, uniquely having worked with both UK and US forces as well as the local populace. By the end of the book I have been brought closer to that far away place.
We have to brave enough to understand why there is suffering and oppression, remembering that despite a different nationality, these are still people who are not dissimilar to ourselves. This book brings a message of hope, but to bring about a better Europe, the Middle East must find peace. We have to consider the motivations of those who seek or wield political power and be cautious about how they want us to perceive others.
This book is an eye opener and everybody should read it.
January 1, 2020
On an Uzbekistan airways flight, Emma Sky fears for her safety; fearing the end is nigh she laments that perhaps she hasn’t left enough indication of her time on earth. I, for one, am glad she didn’t meet her maker on that plane as this book is a treasure of the highest order. In a Time of Monsters is both a book about the joy and benefit of travel, and an analysis of history and politics, teaching the reader about the history of many middle eastern countries
The sheer joy, and complete bravery Emma Sky demonstrates introduces the reader to the very human side of the Middle East, although she meets people with whom she can’t agree, she meets more people who are described and portrayed as thoroughly human. At the Greek/Macedonian border, with the refugee crisis in full flow, Emma meets Syrian men who invite her to have a cup of tea with them “even there, in the cold unknown, the Syrians tried to show me... the hospitality of home”
A vital book that everyone should read to improve our understanding of the current situation in the Middle East and to contemplate how we as individuals can create a more welcoming, peaceful world. This is a book that encourages us all to see each other as fellow humans rather than different races, religions and colours.
Emma has inspired the traveler in me to set off to beautiful Oman in the hope that on the journey I will find some of her bravery and understanding to venture deeper.
February 7, 2019
In a Time of Monsters is a fantastic book detailing the stories of Emma Sky, a former advisor to an American General in Iraq, as she travels throughout the Middle East following the Arab Spring.
Sky does a fantastic job of describing each country's political situation, going through important points in recent and sometimes more distant history in order for the reader to understand the current situation. As someone not overly familiar with the Middle East, I found her style of relaying information to be concise and easy to digest, and she never once strayed into overloading the reader with too much information.
While politics, post war rebuilding, simmering tensions and the rise of ISIS were prominent topics throughout the book, this was juxtaposed with various travel stories. Sky vividly describes journeying to see the pyramids in Sudan, Palmyra in Syria and rafting in Iraqi Kurdistan. Her descriptions of her time spent in Kyrgyzstan especially made me want to visit.
Not only is this a great book about Sky's travels and personal experiences in the Middle East, it is furthermore a testament to the compassion and kindness of the people there. The hospitality she encountered throughout her travels is unparalleled. Overall it is an informative and insightful book that makes me want to read more of her work.
Sky does a fantastic job of describing each country's political situation, going through important points in recent and sometimes more distant history in order for the reader to understand the current situation. As someone not overly familiar with the Middle East, I found her style of relaying information to be concise and easy to digest, and she never once strayed into overloading the reader with too much information.
While politics, post war rebuilding, simmering tensions and the rise of ISIS were prominent topics throughout the book, this was juxtaposed with various travel stories. Sky vividly describes journeying to see the pyramids in Sudan, Palmyra in Syria and rafting in Iraqi Kurdistan. Her descriptions of her time spent in Kyrgyzstan especially made me want to visit.
Not only is this a great book about Sky's travels and personal experiences in the Middle East, it is furthermore a testament to the compassion and kindness of the people there. The hospitality she encountered throughout her travels is unparalleled. Overall it is an informative and insightful book that makes me want to read more of her work.
March 28, 2023
The only constant is change. Once said someone much wiser than I am. But they were right
So, I picked this work up knowing that it was concerned with a period of immense change in the middle East. Yes, we saw a lot of coverage of the Arab Spring at the time, it was topical, it filled column inches and air time. But since ? Here in 2023 in the country I live in it is no longer in the main stream media. Has it changed further ? Of course it will have.
So, just as I have my own memories of backpacking from Istanbul to Aswan over six months in a time when Syria was safe and accessible and the barriers to the West Bank were a smidgin of what they are today, so this work is from a moment in time in a region I grew to respect and love. Mostly
The author has, and had, many more insights, personal experiences, understandings, high level contacts and “fixer” connections than I ever had, and this too leads into an insight into what the leaders and diplomats of the region were thinking as the Arab Spring sprung.
It’s a very good work, for me very engaging and a great time in place insight into that period of middle eastern history when the hopes and dreams of the many and diverse were released, given hope and subjected to the reality of what now, here, is also now history.
So, I picked this work up knowing that it was concerned with a period of immense change in the middle East. Yes, we saw a lot of coverage of the Arab Spring at the time, it was topical, it filled column inches and air time. But since ? Here in 2023 in the country I live in it is no longer in the main stream media. Has it changed further ? Of course it will have.
So, just as I have my own memories of backpacking from Istanbul to Aswan over six months in a time when Syria was safe and accessible and the barriers to the West Bank were a smidgin of what they are today, so this work is from a moment in time in a region I grew to respect and love. Mostly
The author has, and had, many more insights, personal experiences, understandings, high level contacts and “fixer” connections than I ever had, and this too leads into an insight into what the leaders and diplomats of the region were thinking as the Arab Spring sprung.
It’s a very good work, for me very engaging and a great time in place insight into that period of middle eastern history when the hopes and dreams of the many and diverse were released, given hope and subjected to the reality of what now, here, is also now history.
November 3, 2023
Okay I first want to say this lady is amazing and to read about the places she visited and the help she has given to strangers is inspiring. Also you can tell from the way people speak to and about her, and also how they host her in their own homes that she is a very genuine old soul who will do anything for anyone and in my opinion we need more Emma's in this world.
The book I found really hard to read. I understand that what these people have gone or are still going through and that both the US and UK armies didn't deliver in what they have promised, proposed and alot of the mistakes they made, accidently causing more damage than was needed.
But.. From a selfish point of view I have so many of my own struggles here in the UK for the best part of seven years that I find it hard and unfair that there aren't more Emmas of the world helping us at home.
I'm aware that makes me sound awful and selfish. If i didn't have an all consuming, pain riddled disease I would love to be travelling the world and enjoying life. But for some of us.. The UK is all we get and we need to start looking out for ourselves more and practising kindness here.
If we promote kindness, acceptance and resilience to our next generation now, they will grow up ready for a very unpredictable future, where hopefully everyone can all come together.
The book I found really hard to read. I understand that what these people have gone or are still going through and that both the US and UK armies didn't deliver in what they have promised, proposed and alot of the mistakes they made, accidently causing more damage than was needed.
But.. From a selfish point of view I have so many of my own struggles here in the UK for the best part of seven years that I find it hard and unfair that there aren't more Emmas of the world helping us at home.
I'm aware that makes me sound awful and selfish. If i didn't have an all consuming, pain riddled disease I would love to be travelling the world and enjoying life. But for some of us.. The UK is all we get and we need to start looking out for ourselves more and practising kindness here.
If we promote kindness, acceptance and resilience to our next generation now, they will grow up ready for a very unpredictable future, where hopefully everyone can all come together.
August 27, 2019
A thought provoking 'travelogue' and examination of international affairs surrounding the aftermath of the 'Arab Spring'. The author, Emma Sky, poignantly talks about her friendships throughout the area made during her time as the most senior of civilian advisors to American Generals in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is believed that she contributed greatly to the 'nation building' priorities that turned the Iraq conflict around during and after 'the surge' in 2007 and 2008 and she very sadly points to the reversals of that success in her previous book 'The Unraveling', by American total withdrawal from Iraq, which inevitably led to the rise of ISIS from 2012 to 2015.
This books makes you want to pack up kit bag and take off to the many places she visited in the Middle East and just talk to the people and other travelers to understand the lives they lead in very challenging circumstances. You'll want to travel with her next time she packs up and forges out to understand the world we all live in. Bravo!
This books makes you want to pack up kit bag and take off to the many places she visited in the Middle East and just talk to the people and other travelers to understand the lives they lead in very challenging circumstances. You'll want to travel with her next time she packs up and forges out to understand the world we all live in. Bravo!
April 18, 2025
I found this book for cheap in a shop in Oxford.
I started this book really enjoying reading the athors travel through the middle east.
Mid way through the book I made the mistae of reading some other reviews, I became a little disheartred. As the reviews stated, it is true that this book does not give lots of background infromation or history, nothing that somebody with decent knowledge of the region would not already know. Whats more, most the information is now well out of date, and facts on the ground have changed massively, so if it a reference book your after, this is not it.
However I realised that is not what ths book is about, instead it is an insight into the human experiance, and the interractions of Emma. It is simply a travel diary, but an enjoyable one to read. Emma is obviously a good person with honest hopes for the region, I wonder what she and people in her book would make of events in the last years.
I started this book really enjoying reading the athors travel through the middle east.
Mid way through the book I made the mistae of reading some other reviews, I became a little disheartred. As the reviews stated, it is true that this book does not give lots of background infromation or history, nothing that somebody with decent knowledge of the region would not already know. Whats more, most the information is now well out of date, and facts on the ground have changed massively, so if it a reference book your after, this is not it.
However I realised that is not what ths book is about, instead it is an insight into the human experiance, and the interractions of Emma. It is simply a travel diary, but an enjoyable one to read. Emma is obviously a good person with honest hopes for the region, I wonder what she and people in her book would make of events in the last years.
February 7, 2019
This book was a wonderful insight into this awful situation and I found it very informative. I had not expected for it to be so well detailed and in-depth with regards to knowledge without appearing biased in anyway. The writing was really good and everythingwas well explained without being too flowery. In addition to this the topics discussed were well explained so rarely found myself googling certain topics.
All in all the book was very well written and I found it to be insightful into this issue. Although this was only my second book regarding this topic, I would really like to read more non-fiction books on this topic. This was a very well written book and I would highly reccomend to anyone interested on learning more.
All in all the book was very well written and I found it to be insightful into this issue. Although this was only my second book regarding this topic, I would really like to read more non-fiction books on this topic. This was a very well written book and I would highly reccomend to anyone interested on learning more.
February 10, 2019
I was looking forward to reading ‘In a time of monsters’ from the moment I saw it. Though initially I thought the price was a bit much, after reading this book I no longer think that, it was a brilliant insight into the troubles of the Middle East from someone who has been there, travelled, and met many people, I dare say it’s worth the money. This book flowed, it was wrote well, and was very informative, with some pictures to accompany the writing a must read for anyone interested in politics, travel, or biographies. I will definitely recommend this book to friends. It was a read that a thoroughly enjoyed and have learned something from about a topic and place everyone hears about, yet knows little.
February 12, 2019
I read this book in one sitting because it was so captivating. Emma Sky is an inspiring woman who is open minded to the truths of the world. some of the places she went were so dangerous yet she still managed to strike up good and interesting conversations with people from all backgrounds. From the very beginning of the book I was hooked. Emma and her friend are in a bar in Egypt and something very sinister and back door happens all because she was there. My other favorite part of the book was when she spoke of Jo Cox's murder and when she spoke of the London elections which I only knew from a distance so it was interesting to read about from such a lovely woman. I would love to meet Emma Sky one day.
This is a review based on getting the book for free from good reads.
This is a review based on getting the book for free from good reads.
August 14, 2023
صعب ان يترك كتاب اثر في نفسي كاني اودع صديق هذا ماحصل معي عندما انتهيت من كتاب في زمن الوحوش كتاب ممتاز دائ��ا افضل الكتب التي تضيف لي معلومات جديدة سعدت جدا بالتعرف على شخصية مثلة إيما سكاي احببت انسانيتها وعدم عنصريتها اتجاه اللاجئين ودفاعها عن المظلوم اما عن الربيع العربي فتدهور حال الدول العربية وخروج الشعب في الشارع ياتي بسبب فساد الحاكم والضغط النفسي والمالي والاجتماعي يؤدي الى ثورة كما حصل في ٢٠١١ حكام العرب يتصورون انهم عندما يحكمون الدول ان اموال الدولة خاصة لهم ويعيشون في رفاهية والشعب يعيش في فقر وحرمان لم احزن على اي حاكم فهذا عقاب بسبب الفساد والتلاعب في اموال الشعوب اشكر ايما سكاي على هذا الكتاب وانا الان ابحث عن كتاب الانهيار 😃
April 24, 2023
We’ll, coming from the Middle East and having great details of the conditions and history of the region, there is not much to add by reading this book. The writer tries to give the prospect of common people and also of the politicians in the region.
Obviously she has a lot of connections in the region and receives VIP access to people and places, which I doubt anyone else have.
I liked her opinion on the reason of the rise of ISIS and the reason why the Syrian war took so long.
I also understand that it’s several articles of the travels of Emma in the Middle East.
I enjoyed it
Obviously she has a lot of connections in the region and receives VIP access to people and places, which I doubt anyone else have.
I liked her opinion on the reason of the rise of ISIS and the reason why the Syrian war took so long.
I also understand that it’s several articles of the travels of Emma in the Middle East.
I enjoyed it
April 3, 2022
I really wanted to like this book as I thought that it sounded interesting but unfortunately I found it somewhat of a chore to get through. Undoubtedly, if I had greater knowledge of the goings on in the Middle East then I would have got more from it but alas I don't feel that I had enough of a background knowledge.
January 3, 2021
The only disappointing thing about this book for me was that it was too brief for full analysis of the many fascinating situations and histories that the author describes. It always left me wanting to know more and to have a more in depth understanding.
February 27, 2019
Here is my review for the book https://www.riddhived.com/blog/a-time...
November 17, 2020
If nothing else, my Middle East travel guidebook is ready
June 14, 2023
Very interesting and informative.
October 6, 2023
An informative narrative of the Arab Spring and its aftermath - I liked the reflections on populsim/Brexit and its ramifications.
April 18, 2024
Fascinating insights, the subject matter is personal and highly analytical geopolitical view.
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