What do you think?
Rate this book
Soldier in the Sand: A Personal History of the Modern Middle East
"Simon Mayall has produced a stimulating and thought-provoking study of the modern Middle East. Part history, part scholarly analysis, Mayall has drawn on his experience of more than four decades fighting and working in the region to provide unique insights into its people, politics, and culture." - Con Coughlin, Daily Telegraph
With the Middle East in a state of persistent change and upheaval, there has long been a need for a comprehensive, yet readable, study that can give the intelligent and interested ‘lay-person’ a greater understanding of this diverse, complex region.
The author, whose links with the area are deep and long-standing, successfully does just that in Soldier in the Sand . As well as analyzing its history and religions, which strongly influence people’s actions, attitudes, and relationships, he draws on his own experiences and impressions based on his many years spent in key military and diplomatic appointments in numerous countries. In addition to knowing many of the key players personally, he has studied, at leading universities, British policy and engagement in the area and he understands the effects of this long-term engagement.
This invaluable book’s unique mixture of history, politics, academic study and first-hand experience affords the reader an invaluable insight into a fascinating, fractured, and frustrating area of the world. General Mayall explains complex situations in a thoroughly accessible and human manner. This will come as no surprise to those who have listened to his lectures worldwide, but this important and entertaining book now brings his knowledge and commonsense approach to a far wider audience.
With the Middle East in a state of persistent change and upheaval, there has long been a need for a comprehensive, yet readable, study that can give the intelligent and interested ‘lay-person’ a greater understanding of this diverse, complex region.
The author, whose links with the area are deep and long-standing, successfully does just that in Soldier in the Sand . As well as analyzing its history and religions, which strongly influence people’s actions, attitudes, and relationships, he draws on his own experiences and impressions based on his many years spent in key military and diplomatic appointments in numerous countries. In addition to knowing many of the key players personally, he has studied, at leading universities, British policy and engagement in the area and he understands the effects of this long-term engagement.
This invaluable book’s unique mixture of history, politics, academic study and first-hand experience affords the reader an invaluable insight into a fascinating, fractured, and frustrating area of the world. General Mayall explains complex situations in a thoroughly accessible and human manner. This will come as no surprise to those who have listened to his lectures worldwide, but this important and entertaining book now brings his knowledge and commonsense approach to a far wider audience.
360 pages, Paperback
Published December 14, 2021
16 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
May 15, 2021
A personal story well worth reading
Retired Lieutenant General Simon Mayall, KBE, CB has written a wonderful book that paints a clear picture of life in the British army, while providing readers with the wisdom gained from his life-long connection to the Middle East.
As someone who has spent nearly two decades working in the Gulf, I found his insights to be both incisive and profound.
I am always impressed by people with stellar careers who can tell their stories in such an entertaining and articulate manner. It's an incredibly accessible book and I often felt that I was listening to the his life story over a friendly drink rather than reading about it on the printed page.
The ability to combine this highly personal story with astute political, military, historical and social analysis makes this a book worth reading for a general (no pun intended) audience as well as for those interested in the region.
Retired Lieutenant General Simon Mayall, KBE, CB has written a wonderful book that paints a clear picture of life in the British army, while providing readers with the wisdom gained from his life-long connection to the Middle East.
As someone who has spent nearly two decades working in the Gulf, I found his insights to be both incisive and profound.
I am always impressed by people with stellar careers who can tell their stories in such an entertaining and articulate manner. It's an incredibly accessible book and I often felt that I was listening to the his life story over a friendly drink rather than reading about it on the printed page.
The ability to combine this highly personal story with astute political, military, historical and social analysis makes this a book worth reading for a general (no pun intended) audience as well as for those interested in the region.
Displaying 1 of 1 review