Description
Revered or reviled, Gertrude Bell was a commanding figure: scholar, linguist, archeologist, traveller and "orientalist". Belonging to the tradition of the great British Middle East enthusiasts of the early 20th century, she explored the Ottoman Empire during and after World War I and was hugely instrumental in the post-war reconfiguration of the Arab states in the Middle East. She was a prime mover in drawing up Iraq's boundaries and establishing a constitutional monarchy there with a parliament, civil service and legal system; she was influential in creating a state which had all the trappings of independence while remaining a virtual British colony. This book offers a contribution to the study of Bell's colourful life - exploring the personal passions, desires and relationships that drove her - as well as to an understanding of the creation of a country so central to the instability of today's Middle East. Using various sources, including Bell's own diaries and letters, Liora Lukitz provides a portrait of this influential character and the tragedy, vulnerability and frustrations that were key to her quest for both a British-dominated Middle East, and relief from the torture of her romantic failures.
Using various sources, including diaries and letters, this book contributes to the study of Gertrude Bell's colourful life - exploring the personal passions, desires and relationships that drove her - and to an understanding of the background behind the creation of modern Iraq.
About the Author
Liora Lukitz obtained her PhD from the London School of Economics and has been for several years a research fellow at the Center for Middle East Studies at Harvard University.
Reviews
'Lukitz is good on the undercovered Middle Eastern theatre and consequences of the first world war... fascinating.' - Sunday Times 'A valuable, well-written and thoroughly researched overview of a specific moment in history and provides important insights into the life and character of a remarkable woman, who, for better or worse, helped shape the modern Middle East.' - Bulletin of the Association for the Study of Travel in Egypt and the Near East 'Lukitz's absorbing book.' - Robert Irwin, BBC History Magazine 'A timely account of Gertrude Bell's role in shaping the Middle East after the First World War.' - Trevor Mostyn, TLS 'Lukitz's study is worth reading, especially for anybody who considers reading the two volumes of Bell's published correspondence somewhat tiresome.'- Chartist Times Higher Education Supplement, 18 August 2006. 'The book is more than a learned study in the origins of the present-day plight of the Middle-East and far more than a readable biography of a remarkable individual.' - Michael Sommer. 'serious and reliable...deep in historical understanding and deeper in its research into the vast archival materials available.'- The New Republic 'In a fascinating account of Gertrude Bell's life and her involvement in Iraq, Liora Lukitz provides a first-rate scholarly study of the creation of the Iraqi state...a solid and most readable contribution to the current literature on the establishment of modern Iraq, its problems and possible solutions to them.'- Rami Ginat, Haaretz (Israel)ASIAN AFFAIRSA fascinating book, well worth reading for new insights into a personality who deserves to be better known and understood. Richard MuirHAARETZA first-rate scholarly study of the Iraqi state
Book Information
ISBN 9781850434153
Author Liora Lukitz
Format Hardback
Page Count 320
Imprint I.B. Tauris
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Using various sources, including diaries and letters, this book contributes to the study of Gertrude Bell's colourful life - exploring the personal passions, desires and relationships that drove her - and to an understanding of the background behind the creation of modern Iraq.
About the Author
Liora Lukitz obtained her PhD from the London School of Economics and has been for several years a research fellow at the Center for Middle East Studies at Harvard University.
Reviews
'Lukitz is good on the undercovered Middle Eastern theatre and consequences of the first world war... fascinating.' - Sunday Times 'A valuable, well-written and thoroughly researched overview of a specific moment in history and provides important insights into the life and character of a remarkable woman, who, for better or worse, helped shape the modern Middle East.' - Bulletin of the Association for the Study of Travel in Egypt and the Near East 'Lukitz's absorbing book.' - Robert Irwin, BBC History Magazine 'A timely account of Gertrude Bell's role in shaping the Middle East after the First World War.' - Trevor Mostyn, TLS 'Lukitz's study is worth reading, especially for anybody who considers reading the two volumes of Bell's published correspondence somewhat tiresome.'- Chartist Times Higher Education Supplement, 18 August 2006. 'The book is more than a learned study in the origins of the present-day plight of the Middle-East and far more than a readable biography of a remarkable individual.' - Michael Sommer. 'serious and reliable...deep in historical understanding and deeper in its research into the vast archival materials available.'- The New Republic 'In a fascinating account of Gertrude Bell's life and her involvement in Iraq, Liora Lukitz provides a first-rate scholarly study of the creation of the Iraqi state...a solid and most readable contribution to the current literature on the establishment of modern Iraq, its problems and possible solutions to them.'- Rami Ginat, Haaretz (Israel)ASIAN AFFAIRSA fascinating book, well worth reading for new insights into a personality who deserves to be better known and understood. Richard MuirHAARETZA first-rate scholarly study of the Iraqi state
Book Information
ISBN 9781850434153
Author Liora Lukitz
Format Hardback
Page Count 320
Imprint I.B. Tauris
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
