Anwar Sadat: Visionary Who Dared

By Joseph Finklestone

Book Overview

Anwar Sadat's life was shaped by Egypt's national struggle and the conflict between the Arab world and Israel. This biography charts his progress from fanatical nationalist to President of Egypt, and from world statesman to tragic hero, who gave his life in the cause of peace.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0714641650
• ISBN13: 9780714641652
• Release Date: June 1996
• Publisher: Routledge
• Length: 342 Pages
• Weight: 1.14 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.9" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Sadat - Visionary Who Dared

Finkelstone offers a compelling review of Sadat's childhood and youth before launching into a detailed overview of his social and political achievements. Overall, very well written and an interesting read. At times though the work lacks objectivity; Finkelstone is a strong supporter of Sadat and his achievements, which comes across strongly in his perspective and interpretations of Sadat's often controversial decisions. It follows therefore that Finkelstone is usually dismissive of Sadat's detractors and opponents such as Mohammed Hassanein Heikal and others. In sum though I believe it is one of the best biographies written on Sadat (by someone other that Sadat) and if you have a predisposition towards the man and his work then you will love the book. For those who are skeptical or have not read enough modern Middle Eastern history I recommend Mohammed Hassanein Heikal's work in addition to "Merchants, Mullahs and Militants: The Economic Collapse of the Middle East".

''' the champion of intrigues ...

The book describes Sadat in polite and balanced sentences befitting foreigner author foreign to the feelings of the majority of the Egyptian people in particular, and the Arabs in general. Sadat graduated from the `Royal' Military Academy (Signal Corps) in 1938. He joined `el-El-Haras el Hadidi' - Iron Guards - that was given the mission of protecting King Farouk I from probable assaults believed to be concocted by British Agents. (Farouk didn't have friendly relationship with Great Britain - notably in the person of their Ambassador to Egypt - Sir Miles Lampson). Sadat intrigued with Aziz al Masri to begin some sort of secret channels with the Germans (Romel) during their advance from Libya to Egypt, and was imprisoned by the British. Sadat joined the Free Officers Movement despite the fact he knew how much they had been estranged with the King. Sadat participated and announced the outbreak of their Coup to dethrone the King whom he was supposed (under oath) to protect. During Nasser's presidency, Sadat was the real instigator to enter the war in Yemen, which was caluminous to Egypt's finances and a drain on manpower. When Nasser died, he `managed' to grab the presidency and `cleared out his opponents' (or competitors) most of whom had always been Nasser's true henchmen. (Sadat, too, claimed he was Nasser's `honest' supporter) Sadat expelled the Soviet military advisors from Egypt and went (with Syria) to the 1973 October War. He demanded cease-fire when Sharon pushed the Egyptians and entrapped the Third Army. He was supposed to coordinate his field actions with his ally, Syria. But he left them apart in the nick of time. Yet he called himself "the hero of the crossing". Sadat's secret channels worked hard to arrange his visit to Israel. His performance - `befitting movie stars than a President' - in the Israeli Knesset in Jerusalem had been equivocal. Again `the hero of the crossing' vacillated to Israel's demands, acting independently of Syria, and all the Arabs. The Arabs were outraged by the visit. Sadat had always described Israel `rogue and not reconciliatory state', Begin as `ex terrorist'. Yet the `hero of the crossing' prematurely shook hands with his staunch opponent. During Nasser's days Egypt was the icon of Arab Nationalism. During Sadat's days his regime was tarnished and equated with defeatism and intrigues. The very few lackeys amassed fortunes whereas the majority of Egyptians remained poor, needy and multiplied in numbers. Sadat could not extract concession from Begin for the displaced Palestinians. His visit to Israel aggravated the tense political climate in the Lebanon. Division and sectarian fighting multiplied. Sadat signed an accord with Begin and left his `brothers' alone. The man he had always termed as `my enemy' suddenly became `my cousin'. More at volte-face, his Arab 'brothers' became, in his parlance, 'arrogants and ignorants'....... Sadat cracked down on Egypt's intellectuals and imprisoned the