Syria: The Fall of the House of Assad - Hardcover

Lesch, David

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0300186517 ISBN 13: 9780300186512

Publisher: Yale University Press, 2012

Synopsis

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.

About this title

Product Description:

Written by a leading specialist who has had many meetings with President Bashar al-Assad of Syria, this lucid and timely book will help you to comprehend the country's bitter civil war and the tragedy of the siege of Aleppo. Tracing events from Assad's accession in 2000, when he was hailed as a reformer, to his violent reaction to the Arab Spring of 2011, it analyses the failure of his leadership and the forces that turned a liberal into a tyrant.

Review:

"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
"Lesch ably tackles Bashar's failures. He excels in explaining the underlying economic reasons for the Syrian people's frustrations with their regime./i> --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./i> --Andrew Rosenbaum "New York Journal of Books "
"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./i> --Andrew Rosenbaum "New York Journal of Books "

"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 tolook from the outside in." E. Roger Owen, author of "The Rise and Fall of Arab Presidents for Life"
--E. Roger Owen"

"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. . . Amajor 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 ""

About this edition

• Publisher: Yale University Press
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 0300186517
• ISBN 13: 9780300186512
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 256