Suez: Britain’s End of Empire in the Middle East (1991; new ed. 2011)

On July 26, 1956, the British Empire received a blow from which it would never recover. On this day, Egypt's President Gamal Abdul Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal Company, one of the gems of Britain's imperial portfolio. It was to be a fateful day for Britain as a world power. Britain, France and Israel subsequently colluded in attacking Egypt, ostensibly -- in the case of Britain and France -- to protect the Suez Canal but in reality in an attempt to depose Nasser. The U.S. opposition to this scheme forced an ignominious withdrawal, leaving Nasser triumphant and marking a decisive end to Britain's imperial era. In this, the seminal work on the Suez Crisis, Keith Kyle draws on a wealth of documentary evidence to tell this fascinating political, military and diplomatic story. Including new introductory material, this revised edition of a classic work will be essential reading for anyone interested in the history of the twentieth century, military history and the end of empire. On 26 July 1956, The British Empire Received A Blow From Which It Would Never Recover. On This Day, Egypt's President Gamal Abdul Nasser Nationalized The Suez Canal Company, One Of The Gems Of Britain's Imperial Portfolio. It Was To Be A Fateful Day For The Empire. The British Government Led By Anthony Eden Considered This To Be A Test Case Of Britain's Standing As A World Power - The Prestige Of The Empire Was Already In Decline And One Last Stand Was Essential. Britain, Together With France And Israel, Became Involved In The Instigation Of The Suez Campaign Which Ended With The Usa Becoming The Leading Power In The United Nations, Its Opposition To The Campaign Having Been Decisive In Forcing Ignominious Withdrawal. The Campaign Swiftly Became Known As The Suez Crisis And Is Widely Regarded As The Major Stage In Britain's Decline As A World Power. In This, The Seminal Work On The Suez Campaign, Keith Kyle Draws On A Wealth Of Documentary Evidence And First-hand Interviews To Reveal The Political, Military And Diplomatic Aspects Of This Fascinating Story. Including A New Foreword And Afterword, This Revised Edition Of A Classic Work Will Be Essential Reading For Anyone Interested In The History Of The Twentieth Century, Military History And The End Of Empire. Swing-door Of The British Empire -- A Jewish State -- Eden And Nasser -- Arms And The Dam -- Turning Against Nasser -- Code-word De Lesseps -- Plotting Nasser's Downfall -- A Matter Of Timetables -- Musketeer -- The First London Conference -- Keightley In Command -- The Birth Of Scua -- Musketeer Revise -- The Israeli Factor -- Taking It To The Un -- Two Frenchmen At Chequers -- Sèvres, Conference Of Collusion -- A Parachute Drop At The Mitla -- Ultimatum -- The Die Is Cast -- World Opinion Speaks -- France's War -- Slow March To Suez -- The Empires Strike Back : Phase I : 5 November 1956 -- The Empires Strike Back : Phase Ii : 6 November 1956 -- Picking Up The Pieces -- Forced To Quit -- Last Stands And New Doctrine -- The End Of The Suez Conflict -- Suez 1991-2001. Keith Kyle ; Foreword By Wm. Roger Louis ; Afterword By Peter Hennessy. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [653]-663) And Index. This title includes a new Foreword by WM. Roger Louis. On 26 July 1956, the British Empire received a blow from which it would never recover. On this day, Egypt's President Gamal Abdul Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal Company, one of the gems of Britain's imperial portfolio. It was to be a fateful day for Britain as a world power. Britain, France and Israel subsequently colluded in attacking Egypt, ostensibly - in the case of Britain and France - to protect the Suez Canal but in reality in an attempt to depose Nasser. The US opposition to this scheme forced an ignominious withdrawal, leaving Nasser triumphant and marking a decisive end to Britain's imperial era. In this, the seminal work on the Suez Crisis, Keith Kyle draws on a wealth of documentary evidence to tell this fascinating political, military and diplomatic story. Including new introductory material, this revised edition of a classic work will be essential reading for anyone interested in the history of the twentieth century, military history and the end of empire. 'If Persia is allowed to get away with it, Egypt and other Middle Eastern countries will be encouraged to think that they can try things on; the next thing may be an attempt to nationalise the Suez Canal.'