The Sykes-Picot Agreement was one of the defining moments in the history of the modern Middle East. Yet its co-creator, Sir Mark Sykes, had far more involvement in British Middle East strategy during World War I than the Agreement for which he is now most remembered. Between 1915 and 1916, Sykes was Lord Kitchener's agent at home and abroad, operating out of the War Office until the war secretary's death at sea in 1916. Following that, from 1916 to 1919 he worked at the Imperial War Cabinet, the War Cabinet Secretariat and, finally, as an advisor to the Foreign Office. The full extent of Sykes's work and influence has previously not been told. Moreover, the general impression given of him is at variance with the facts. Sykes led the negotiations with the Zionist leadership in the formulation of the Balfour Declaration, which he helped to write, and promoted their cause to achieve what he sought for a pro-British post-war Middle East peace settlement, although he was not himself a Zionist. Likewise, despite claims he championed the Arab cause, there is little proof of this other than general rhetoric mainly for public consumption. On the contrary, there is much evidence he routinely exhibited a complete lack of empathy with the Arabs. In this book, Michael Berdine examines the life of this impulsive and headstrong young British aristocrat who helped formulate many of Britain's policies in the Middle East that are responsible for much of the instability that has affected the region ever since.
'Michael Berdine has performed a great service in giving us a full biography based on the Sykes papers and an array of other archival sources. It is comprehensive, exact, and reliable. On the famous Sykes-Picot agreement of 1916 and a range of other major issues, this is an indispensable work.' - Wm. Roger Louis, Kerr Chair in English History and Culture and Distinguished Teaching Professor, The University of Texas at Austin
`Michael Berdine has written the professional biography of a crucial figure in the Middle East's emergence from World War I and the creation of the region's modern nation states. Sykes's name is well known, but his participation in Britain's Middle East policy-making was classified as secret for a hundred years. Now Berdine has brought his deeds to light in a detailed analysis covering the years 1911-1919, using an impressive array of memoirs and private papers from the leading political actors of the period, plus Sykes's own unpublished and published works. Anyone interested in the creation of the modern Middle East, WWI in the region, or Britain's role in it must read this book.' - Linda Darling, Professor of History, University of Arizona
`Mark Sykes is one of those figures in the annals of British imperial history that many a budding student will come across - but seldom will they receive a thoughtful and engaged consideration as to whom he was. Dr Michael Berdine now makes it easier for both student and scholar, analyst and observer, to interrogate and understand the context of the man, and the role he played in this rather problematic and regrettable period of Britain's forays beyond its borders. Dr Berdine's efforts are all the more unique as compared to other historians' work in shedding light on this era - because Sykes' own exploits were mostly classified, and access to records and sources that would give us more insight was cut off. Dr Berdine does the reader a great service by going into those sources - and delivering to us, with a true historian's penchant for detail and interest, a narrative that is not merely conjecture, but based on genuine discovery. As the Arab world continues to feel the ramifications of those early years of the 20th century, more than a hundred years later, it behoves us to understand more, not less, about this poignant past - and we have Dr Berdine to thank for furthering the ability for us all to do so.' - H.A. Hellyer, Senior Non-resident Fellow at the RH Centre for the Middle East, Atlantic Council, Washington DC, and Professor at the Centre for Advanced Study of Islam, Science and Civilisation at the University Technology Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur
