Syria by David W Lesch
When Syrian President Bashar al-Assad came to power upon his father's death in 2000, many in- and outside Syria held high hopes that the popular young doctor would bring long-awaited reform, that he would be a new kind of Middle East leader capable of guiding his country toward genuine democracy. David Lesch was one of those who saw this promise in Assad. A widely respected Middle East scholar and consultant, Lesch came to know the president better than anyone in the West, in part through a remarkable series of meetings with Assad between 2004 and 2009. Yet for Lesch, like millions of others, Assad was destined to disappoint. In this timely book, the author explores Assad's failed leadership, his transformation from bearer of hope to reactionary tyrant, and his regime's violent response to the uprising of his people in the wake of the Arab Spring. Lesch charts Assad's turn toward repression and the inexorable steps toward the violence of 2011 and 2012. The book recounts the causes of the Syrian uprising, the regime's tactics to remain in power, the responses of other nations to the bloodshed, and the determined efforts of regime opponents. In a thoughtful conclusion, the author suggests scenarios that could unfold in Syria's uncertain future.
"David Lesch is one of the very few outsiders who knows anything about either Assad or his highly secretive regime; all the other scholars of Syria are forced to look from the outside in"-E. Roger Owen, author of The Rise and Fall of Arab Presidents for Life -- E. Roger Owen "What separates this book from others on Syria and the Syrian uprising is the sense of immediacy that comes from Dr Lesch's long acquaintanceship with Bashar al-Assad and regime insiders and the anger and sorrow he feels about their betrayal of Syria." - James L. Gelvin, author of The Arab Uprisings: What Everyone Needs to Know -- James Gelvin "Detailed and thoughtful in the potential outcomes for this key Middle Eastern state."-The Bookseller The Bookseller "Personal knowledge and on-the-ground experience inform this behind-the-headlines chronicle of the Syrian conflict."-Kirkus Kirkus "Insightful, valuable..Understanding Syria is important, and David Lesch's book is invaluable for those who want to do so."-Philip Seib, Dallas Morning News -- Philip Seib Dallas Morning News "Lesch ably tackles Bashar's failures. He excels in explaining the underlying economic reasons for the Syrian people's frustrations with their regime."-Rayyan Al-Shawaf, Christian Science Monitor -- Rayyan Al-Shawaf Christian Science Monitor "David Lesch's Syria is timely, relevant, and to the point, providing the educated reader with everything needed to make sense of what is happening in that country... A major contribution to our knowledge of Syria and the Middle East. Anyone who seeks a real understanding of these subjects must read this book."-Andrew Rosenbaum, New York Journal of Books -- Andrew Rosenbaum New York Journal of Books
David W. Lesch is professor of Middle East history at Trinity University. He lives in San Antonio, TX.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9780300186512 |
| ISBN 10 | 0300186517 |
| Title | Syria |
| Author | David W Lesch |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Hardback |
| Publisher | Yale University Press |
| Year published | 2012-09-18 |
| Number of pages | 256 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |