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Short Synopsis
Veteran journalist Patrick Tyler draws on newly opened presidential archives to dramatize the approach to the Middle East across U.S. presidencies and shows how each president has managed to undo the policies of his predecessor, often fomenting anger against America.

Full Synopsis
The Middle East is the beginning and the end of U.S. foreign policy: events there influence our alliances, make or break presidencies, govern the price of oil, and draw us into war. But it was not always so—and as Patrick Tyler shows in this thrilling chronicle of American misadventures in the region, the story of American presidents' dealings there is one of mixed motives, skulduggery, deceit, and outright foolishness, as well as of policymaking and diplomacy.

Tyler draws on newly opened presidential archives to dramatize the approach to the Middle East across U.S. presidencies from Dwight D. Eisenhower to George W. Bush. He takes us into the Oval Office and shows how our leaders made momentous decisions; at the same time, the sweep of this narrative—from the Suez crisis to the Iran hostage crisis to George W. Bush's catastrophe in Iraq—lets us see the big picture as never before. Tyler tells a story of presidents being drawn into the affairs of the region against their will, being kept in the dark by local potentates, being led astray by grasping subordinates, and making decisions about the internal affairs of countries they hardly understand. Above all, he shows how each president has managed to undo the policies of his predecessor, often fomenting both anger against America on the streets of the region and confusion at home.

A World of Trouble is the Middle East book we need now: free of cant and ideology, and rich in insight about the very human challenges a new president will face as he tries to restore America's standing in the region.

"[Narrator Michael Prichard's] ability to turn laborious historical narrative into nuanced, comfortable sentences makes the story easy to follow and remember." ---AudioFile

"Riveting" ---San Francisco Chronicle

"Engaging" ---The Washington Post

"A superb, evenhanded account of America's role in a continuing tragedy." ---Kirkus Starred Review

"A crucial reminder of the uphill task that lies in store for Obama." ---Chicago Sun-Times
New York Times Bestseller

Kirkus Review

A World of Trouble

The White House and the Middle East---from the Cold War to the War on Terror

Author Patrick Tyler

Narrated by Michael Prichard

Publication date Jan 6, 2009

Running time 28 hrs

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