- Hardcover: 448 pages
- Publisher: Harvard University Press (April 14 2000)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0674081056
- ISBN-13: 978-0674081055
- Product Dimensions: 24.1 x 16.3 x 4.1 cm
- Shipping Weight: 753 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
#896,033 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #97 in Books > History > Middle East > Lebanon
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Product Details |
Product Description
Review
Some works are works of a lifetime. And this book is in that tradition. Everything about this scholar's life has led him to this book. Lebanon has been his home and vocation and calling. No one else in our field of Middle Eastern Studies could or would produce a book of this weight and seriousness and knowledge. Its mine of information, its interviews with the protagonist in that drawn-out struggle over Lebanon, the rich, textured data are all testimonies to a voracious commitment to tell Lebanon's tale. Straddling the boundaries of politics and history, this able, knowing, discerning book has mini-histories of all of Lebanon's communities. It situates Lebanon in its region, and in the world, and tells of what became of a land without a strong state of its own in a world of other, more powerful states. Others have written of Lebanon's politics. The Breakdown of the State in Lebanon exceeds them all in power and integrity and knowledge and research and detail. A study that should make its way in Middle Eastern affairs as the definitive account of modern Lebanese politics.
--Fouad Ajami, Johns Hopkins University (20001201)
In a massively researched, factually reliable, and politically centrist interpretation...[el Khazen] provides what will surely become the authoritative account of Lebanon's slide to war. As the title implies, el Khazen sees the weakening of the Lebanese government as the central development in the period following the 1967 Six-Day War...He is scathing on the press coverage of the PLO's role in the conflict--and also that of Western scholars--for their willingness 'to accept the Palestinian version of the story.'
--Daniel Pipes (Jerusalem Post )
--Fouad Ajami, Johns Hopkins University (20001201)
In a massively researched, factually reliable, and politically centrist interpretation...[el Khazen] provides what will surely become the authoritative account of Lebanon's slide to war. As the title implies, el Khazen sees the weakening of the Lebanese government as the central development in the period following the 1967 Six-Day War...He is scathing on the press coverage of the PLO's role in the conflict--and also that of Western scholars--for their willingness 'to accept the Palestinian version of the story.'
--Daniel Pipes (Jerusalem Post )
Book Description
Straddling the boundaries of politics and history, this discerning book allows the reader to dig through the rubble of Lebanon's wars and learn exactly what has befallen it. With its remarkable open society, its plural political system, its well-educated and sophisticated peoples, and its tolerant confessional outlook, Lebanon is only now recovering the independence it once had, albeit in the face of Syria. In view of recent Lebanese history, can an open and democratic state be recaptured by a people entangled in a largely authoritarian Arab state system?
Farid el Khazen's arresting book shows how Lebanon was led toward its fate by its neighbors, yet ultimately undid itself. The Palestine Liberation Organization's presence was of central importance to the breakdown of the state, while the porousness of the democratic system could not contain the problems and violence. The breakdown was less a civil war in the conventional sense than a series of little wars with outside interference.
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Customer Reviews
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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Extraordinary, Accurate, Interesting, Amazing,
By
This review is from: The Breakdown of the State in Lebanon, 1967-1976 (Hardcover)
I am still a student in college and I am still struggling try to find my rightful ideology in politics. Professor el Khazen provides the reader with facts that are from official and very legitimate sources. Lebanon has been the desire of many nations in history; the Arab world in general and especially Syria. Syria today continues its occupation of Lebanon all while the whole world remains silent. Professor el Khazen provides historical data of the Arab intentions for Lebanon and provides a factual account of what happened during the 'civil war'. I highly recommend this book to anyone who would like to know the true history of Lebanon and a book with only facts and no opinions about the 'civil war'. Ultimately any logical unbiased person could realize this, Pan-Arabism is the biggest threat to Lebanon. Pan-Arabism in its phony context is nothing but an ideology that is trying to generalize and group Lebanon with the rest of the Arab east all while it continues to become a bigger failure everyday. This is a factual account and brings forth the unfortunate circumstances that plagued Lebanon even while a portion of its society is cowardly and blindly following a tyrannical foreign power that is using a 'brotherly' cover over it's true intentions; occupation, annexation, and making Lebanon part of its territory.
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Best Book Written on the Subject,
By A Customer
This review is from: The Breakdown of the State in Lebanon, 1967-1976 (Hardcover)
For any serious researcher, don't look further, this is the book for you. It is a very good piece of work, obviously well researched and documented. And above all, it is the only objective piece of work I read on the history of Lebanon. El Khazen obviously knows what he is talking about, does not throw biased statements, does not omit incidents, and is supporting all of his arguments.All in all, an excellent piece of work. I admire the author's knowledge, honesty and courage and highly recommend the book.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Comprehensive and Insightful,
By A Customer
This review is from: The Breakdown of the State in Lebanon, 1967-1976 (Hardcover)
This is a far more insightful and comprehensive work than several books on Lebanon I have read in recent years. Although I take issue with some of the author's arguments, the book is a solid academic work not only on the war but also on Lebanese society and politics. It is also based on new data and research material. The book is highly recommended for specialists on Lebanese and Arab politics.
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