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Understanding Libya Since Gaddafi
An account of what has happened to Libya since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi by a Reuters correspondent who covered it all.
297 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 5, 2021
Overall a very nice and succinct book. It is as advertised, a brief history of Libya since the fall Gaddafi to approximately 2018.
The book strength are in the fact that is an English history of Libya in this period, which is extremely sparse. I think the book starts and ends very well, but gets bogged down in the middle, which is no real fault of the author himself. This is because the nature of instability in Libya - how tumultuous it is in the failed state, and trying to keep track of all the militias, sieges, splinter governments, UN envoys, etc. Becomes repetitive and confusing.
I am glad I purchased it and if you at e interested or intrigued by the title, I would recommend it. Interestingly enough if you google the events in the epilogue, it’s like the story is continuing to be written in news briefs in real time with the same players.
The book strength are in the fact that is an English history of Libya in this period, which is extremely sparse. I think the book starts and ends very well, but gets bogged down in the middle, which is no real fault of the author himself. This is because the nature of instability in Libya - how tumultuous it is in the failed state, and trying to keep track of all the militias, sieges, splinter governments, UN envoys, etc. Becomes repetitive and confusing.
I am glad I purchased it and if you at e interested or intrigued by the title, I would recommend it. Interestingly enough if you google the events in the epilogue, it’s like the story is continuing to be written in news briefs in real time with the same players.
July 9, 2020
A bit of transparency first: I know the author and worked with him at Reuters.
This is an excellent, first-hand account of Libya's troubles since the fall of Gaddafi (plus some background on the history before). It paints a clear picture of a failed state, divided by tribes and factions that appear to have little in common except a desire for power and money -- the curse of oil.
For me, the best parts are when the author relates his reporting forays -- the people he met, the way he was treated, the life of those under civil war. It sheds a clearer light on this sad tale than any historical telling of the story ever could.
This is an excellent, first-hand account of Libya's troubles since the fall of Gaddafi (plus some background on the history before). It paints a clear picture of a failed state, divided by tribes and factions that appear to have little in common except a desire for power and money -- the curse of oil.
For me, the best parts are when the author relates his reporting forays -- the people he met, the way he was treated, the life of those under civil war. It sheds a clearer light on this sad tale than any historical telling of the story ever could.
March 7, 2021
This is why political scientists are scared of a power vaccuum in countries where loads of people have guns and no one to punish them if they use them.
Side note:
Being a journalist in libya seems like the most thrilling, boring, and stressfull job there is all at the same time.
Side note:
Being a journalist in libya seems like the most thrilling, boring, and stressfull job there is all at the same time.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews