Product Description

As sectarian tensions mount in Lebanon following the 2006 summer war, one question threatens to ignite the Middle Eastern tinderbox. Who killed former Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri as he drove along the seafront on that fateful day in 2005? With an international tribunal about to be set up, the issue could drag Syria, Hezbollah, Iran Israel and Hamas in to a regional war.In a much-acclaimed blend of investigative journalism, reportage and story-telling, Nicholas Blanford draws on his unrivalled sources in Lebanon, Syria and elsewhere to piece together the politics, personalities and power-struggles leading up to the assassination. The paperback edition contains new interviews with key players who refused to speak at the time, casting some of the evidence in a dramatic new light. Full of intrigue, shady characters and suspense, "Killing Mr Lebanon" is the definitive account of how Beirut became once again the flashpoint of the Middle East.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #234254 in Books
• Published on: 2008-09-30
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: .75" h x 5.50" w x 8.50" l, .81 pounds
• Binding: Paperback
• 248 pages

Review
"'This is not only a real life thriller but a story with huge implications for the future of the region. Drawing on more than a decade of experience in Lebanon, Blanford is the man to tell it.' Richard Beeston, Diplomatic Editor, The Times 'A rich piece of storytelling - Blanford provides the definitive account of the assassination of Hariri and Lebanon's subsequent "Cedar Revolution"...Brilliant stuff.' Scott McLeod, Middle East correspondent, Time magazine"

About the Author
Nicholas Blanford has been a Beirut correspondent for over 10 years. In 1996 he began writing for The Times and The Lebanon Daily Star, breaking several major stories about Israel's occupation of South Lebanon. An expert on Hizbullah's military activities, he has spoken at international conferences on the subject, and written about it for the Jane's Information Group. Since 2001 he has written for The Christian Science Monitor and Time magazine. He reported from Iraq for the Christian Science Monitor from 2003-2004. He lives with his wife and two children in Beirut.

Customer Reviews

Objective Analysis and Logical
At the time of Hariri's murder, I was a student at university in Lebanon, and I was at the crime scene even before the ambulances. I lived in the area. Reading this book, was very close to a picture perfect description of the events that happened at the time. So, for description of events and aftermath, this book gets it right. The analysis of the political motives and dealings that both led to the assasination, as well as its outcomes, are very plausible. One cannot say correct, because this is politics, and everyone can be wrong, but the logic used by the author, is very good. I was particularly impressed by his description of Pax-Syriana, and how Hafez Al-Assad supported some of his son's view regarding Lebanon, even though he had different opinion. That in itself demonstrates that the author is knowleadgable of the Syrian regime, and the way Hafez Al-Assad went about business. The author, also remains within focus, and doesnt indulge in useless description of the smaller players in the local and regional political scene, as well as gives it the size it deserves, not overinflating Hariri's importance beyond regional effects, but nevertheless not narrowing it to locality either.
Recommended.

Best modern book on Lebanon
This book is not only the definitive title on the assassination of Mr. Hariri, but also gives the msot up-to-date analysis of the political situation in the country. The paperback has a new epilogue and introduction on the events of 2008.

A landmark work, essential for anyone with serious interest in the region.