Awards

• Winner of Winner of the Pacific Coast Branch Award of the American Historical Association Winner of the Herbert Baxter Adams Prize of the American Historical Association.
• Winner of Winner of the Pacific Coast Branch Award of the American Historical Association Winner of the Herbert Baxter Adams Prize of the American Historical Association.

Overview

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9780195331417

Table of Contents

Reviews

Spies in Arabia provides a new account of British intelligence exploits in the Middle East, but its real achievement is to consider these not just from an historical perspective, but to provide deeper analysis of the events themselves. Satia achieves this with aplomb, and it would be nice to think that in the current climate of heeding historical lessons, it will be seen as more than just an historical case study. --Dr. Michael S. Goodman, Middle East Journal<br> Priya Satia tells a timely story about British engagement with the Middle East in the period surrounding the crisis of the Great War. Well researched and cogently argued.... A deeply historical and politically relevant book. -Michelle Tusan, H-Net Reviews<br> Priya Satia makes a seminal contribution to the history of Britain and the Middle East at different levels: her book is as much a study in cultural assumptions as it is an examination of the political and strategic circumstances of the British presence in the region. At an even higher level, in a manner reminiscent of T. E. Lawrence, it is a story of honor and redemption, and of degradation and damnation, in which chivalry and good intentions collapse into torture and mass murder. --Wm. Roger Louis, University of Texas at Austin<br> This is a most original, exciting, and exhilarating book, which gives an entirely new interpretation of some of the overseas activities of the British state in the first third of the twentieth century. --Peter Sluglett, author of Britain in Iraq: Contriving King and Country<br> Spies in Arabia is a fine-grained and closely researched history that interweaves diplomatic, military, and cultural themes to highlight the centrality ofBritain's brief 'moment in the Middle East' for the imperial state in decline. This tale offers an indispensable lesson for the American adventure in the Middle East to those who are prepared to learn it. --Joel Beinin, author of Workers and Peasants in the Modern Middle East<br>

<br> 'Arabia' was both a frightening and an alluring concept for Englishmen, and Satia vividly captures the mindset and psychological attraction that drew so many to work in that region.... Satia's extensive knowledge of the personalities involved both in England and Middle East provides the reader with a vivid and fascinating picture of the interactions and connections between the players. One can only hope that she will provide us with future books focusing on the spies whose activities helped shape British imperial policy. --Ranee K. L. Pnjabi, History: Reviews of New Books<p><br> Almost thirty years after the publication of Edward Said's Orientalism, Satia's careful deconstruction of the British colonial archive illustrates how cultural procedures could lead to devastatin political outcomes.... A very important book for our understanding of Empire and foreign policy in Middle East, in the past and in the present. --Magnus T. Bernhardsson, Taarii Newsletter: The American Academic Re

This book is nuanced, challenging, nicely written, interesting and thought-provoking... rich and rewarding... It is a book that is sure to be well received and it will further our understanding of Britain and the Middle East. * Matthew Hughes, History * [An] impressive work which ambitiously seeks to explore the cultural space within which political, military and intelligence personnel operated. * Keith Jeffery, Asian Affairs. * a significant addition to the historiography of the First World War beyond Europe... [An] impressive study... * Nadia Atia, History Workshop Journal *

[An] impressive work which ambitiously seeks to explore the cultural space within which political, military and intelligence personnel operated. Keith Jeffery, Asian Affairs.

Author Information

Priya Satia is Assistant Professor of History at Stanford University.

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