Wright, J: A History of Libya

'This book is in many important ways the culmination of the author's long involvement with Libya, tracing in an admirable fashion its history from pre-historic times through the revolutionary Qadhafi regime that consolidated its rule after 1969. Meticulously researched, with a breadth and with insights that only a longterm observer can muster, the different chapters provide wonderfully concise, analytic summaries of each distinctive historical period. What has always made Wright's writing attractive, and particularly in this volume, is his direct and engaging prose, providing clear and accessible writing rather than much of the jargon that has bedeviled other treatments of Libya. The result is a wonderfully succinct but highly insightful recall of the country's past and present that does not in any way sacrifice clarity for detail. This book is not only a good readA" for a nonspecialist audience, but will be much appreciated by Libya observers as well since there is no current up-to-date comprehensive history of the country available. The crowning achievement of a highly respected Libya observer.' - Professor Dirk Vandewalle, Dartmouth College, author of A History of Modern Libya 'A timely and updated re-issue of the standard work on Libya. It is required reading by all those who wish to understand that desert enigma.' - Saul Kelly, King's College London