Eden to Armageddon: World War I in the Middle East by Roger Ford - Book Report/Review Example

? Eden to Armageddon: World War I in the Middle East, ed by Roger Ford The book, Eden to Armageddon: World War I in the Middle East, ed by Roger Ford is one of the finest books that dealt with the much sensitive topic of World War I and its implication. While most of authors concentrated on the events in and around World war and scenario surrounding the Western countries, there were some prominent movements taking place in other parts of the world as well. The Middle East countries are known to be one of the most important regions in the world and turn out to have a great influence in the global level. The war in the Middle East began as a consequence of the World War and thus it has a greater impact in the global scenario. End of the conflict a great lot of changes in political, social as well as the economical front of the countries in the Middle East region. This book addresses some of unknown issues that came about as a consequence to the World War 1 in the Middle East region of the world. The emphatic war in the Middle East began with the invasion of the Garden of Eden region that was found in that area. The invasion is one of the kinds and the victory came over in the Armageddon region. Author of the book has managed to introduce to the readers the best facts about the war and the happenings surrounding them. All the essential aspects and the associated events of the war are put across in a more reasonable as well as a logical flow in the book. Writing style of the books is on par with excellence as it takes the readers to yet another world of war and events the surrounds the war scenario. Almost all of the places in the regions were covered adequately and that too it is all put together in a single volume book which makes it even more interesting. Roger Ford has made sure that all of the information provided in the book are authentic and bears reliable source as a credential. When it comes to war writings the facts needs to be put across in a fine way and the author of this book has done justice it by narrating in a more understandable fashion. There have been several instances where different authors tried to put in this epic war in different volumes but the Eden to Armageddon: World War I in the Middle East made sure that all the facts have been put together in a single volume thereby giving the readers a much involved take on the book as a whole. The author had cited some of the best books and also has made use of the official records in order to make the analysis which is unbeatable on all fronts. War in the Middle East region not only reshaped that area but also gave a whole new dimension to that of global affairs. It addresses all of the five main campaigns in a more elaborate manner which includes Persian Campaign, Mesopotamian campaign, Gallipoli, Caucasus, Sinai and Palestine campaign were the major one. Other minor campaigns during the World War I include Arabian and North African regions. The best aspect about this wonder book is the fact that it covers the entire epic war scenario that was taking place in the Middle East at that time and put that across chronologically. Not only did the author put across all the crucial facts together but has also woven the ideas and aspirations in a beautiful manner thereby giving the readers a thorough insight on the happenings of the region. All the conflicts surrounding the topic were elaborated in its entirety. Right from Mesopotamia incident, the sorting of the territorial issues with that of the Turks, the blow over to Palestine issues and much more are elaborately covered in this single volume book. In addition to providing the detail account of the World War conflicts, the author opens up the readers to the aftermath of the war which is provided in an elaborate manner, the reshaping of the Middle East region that was the result of the war, the issues and conflicts that arose with that of the reshaping of the region are provided in a clear cut manner. It is a microscopic view of the world at large but provides more emphasis on the Middle East region with regard to war and the events surrounding it. Ottoman had ruled over the Iraq up to the World War I and had complete control over all its dealing for several years together. During the World War I periods, the Ottoman sided with the Central Powers and Germany. If read deeply, the book will be able to enrich the readers with great facts and information with regard to the war. On behalf of the Allied force, the British Army tried to capture the country and faced a blow gave by the Turkish force. In 1916, the British managed to regroup and occupy the country. After some spate of wars, the Iraq came into existence under the British control with the mandate of the League of Nations. The result of these conflicts gave birth to the concept of two separate countries by name Iran and Iraq. Ottoman Army which was known for its vigor finally gave in to the British force and surrendered the power to them. Though Britain had lost a lot of army men and resources, it proved to be a successful one at the end of the war. During this period of war, Turkey which was otherwise called as the Sick Man of Europe, regained its position as the power holder with a series of Battle. Though the regions saw some major victories, it lost out to the Allied powers at the end of the war. The book aims at brining out the best facts and substantiates it in a more approved manner. The struggle of Turkey and Russia over the Caucasus issue is yet another famous one that had a deep impact on the reshaping of the Middle East region. Caucasus campaign consisted of the armed conflicts that rose between the Ottoman Empire and that of the Russian Empire. In due course of time some of the Middle East countries also got involved in this conflict. There was a great deal of conflicts between the Russians and that of the Turks with regard to the Caucasus region. Both of the Nations struggled to win over the other and none of them were able to establish a strong base on the region in the initial stage. Turks had great territorial goals and wanted to occupy a major portion of the area but Russia was equally vigorous in its attempt. Middle East war is one of the most important parts of history that comes with several stages all through the war period. The end of the war saw a great change not only in terms of political scenarios but also in the economical and social front as well. Gallipoli campaign is yet another event that comes with a higher level of historical importance. Warfare is of different types but the one of this kind comes with a lot of things to take in from it. The Battle of Gallipoli which is also known as the Dardanelles Campaign is a battle that took place in the Peninsula of Gallipoli in the Ottoman Empire which is nothing but today’s Turkey. This battle took place in the years 1915 and 1916, i.e. during the World War I period. In order to catch hold of the Constantinople which was then the capital of Ottoman, the British and the French came together and wanted to find the way to Russia through the sea route. During the period of this massive war, a lot of things took place right from the loss of many resources to the losing of a great number of man powers. Both the sides saw a great number of declines in terms of resources. To the astonishment of the world, Turkey gave a heavy blow to the British Army. This battle is especially considered as the crowning glory in the Turkey as it was able to sustain its stand in front of such powerful combinations of nation. Allies faced defeat under the hands of Turkey in this battle. Main root cause for the war to happen is that of the Allies interest in opening up a sea route to Russia. Though the Ottoman Empire was crumbling with the blow of the Allies, the Gallipoli incident gave a great deal of boost to the Turkey and also the Ottoman regime. Best part about the Gallipoli war is the fact that the natives were rejoicing over their victory over the allies which was considered to be the most powerful at that time. Nonetheless, the battle of Gallipoli stood as the ground for the freedom struggle in the region and the paved way for the creation of the Republic of Turkey after few years. Thus the war not only reshaped the country but also paved way for a whole new development in terms of territories in a global level as well. The war also changed a lot of things about other countries such as Australia and New Zealand as well. Third Battle of Gaza is yet another important battle in the history of warfare. This war was fought in the Palestine regions mainly in the southern part that took place alongside the World War I. This war which took place in the year 1916 to 1917 was a rare phenomenon that saw the British cavalry emerging victorious over the Gaza war. It seemed quiet impossible on the part of British and the Allied force to win that particular war but ultimately things turned out to be in favor of the British Army. Methodology and analysis used by the author with regard to the issue is a well received method that is one of the best of all. All throughout the book the author has maintained a steady stance and kindles the interest of the readers through his live commentaries and demonstrations. The Author Roger Ford is successful in brining out the essence of the facts and the true color of the warfare that took place at that time. Through this book it becomes much clearer that many problems that the region is facing today is nothing but the consequences of the World War I. It is to be noted that many of the crisis and conflicts of today is nothing but the root cause of the war and the several pacts that failed over the regions in the coming years. There were several military campaigns that rose and fell during the World War I and the author is successful in taking the readers across the different military campaigns of that period. Ford manages to give a complete account of all the different campaigns and troops of that time. Not only does Ford give an elaborate explanation about the region but he also provides with the first hand information about the political interests that are hidden behind each of these battle that took place during the World War I period. Eden to Armageddon is just not a compilation of facts that happened during the World War period but gives a detail account of all the events in a clear cut manner along with that of logical interpretations on completely different aspects. The book addresses all of the crucial aspects such and the maneuvering or the switching of powers, the political interests that stood as the motivation behind the initiations with regard to the war. Apart from providing the in-depth details with regard to warfare, battling and other aspects such as downfall and then the permanent rising of the Allied force. Author of this book, provides a great deal of details in the narration and makes sure that authentic information are used for this purpose. Best part is the fact that the book deals with all the issues with regard to the Middle East in a more comprehensive manner overall. End of the war saw the Allied force win over a major portion including that of Syria and Palestine as well. Turkey was over ambitious because of which had to lose the final battle to the British and the other Allied force. It is a well known fact that Britain and the Allied countries victory rested upon events and turnings that happened in the Middle East front. Palestine battle was the defining moment for the Allied force as they were able to give their final blow to the Turkey only during this battle. British Empire and its groups captured the Baghdad region in 1917. Russia who earlier had some issues and conflict with Turkey withdrew from the conflict through the Armistice of Erzincan. In 1916, British and its forces smashed the Ottoman group in order to get hold of Gaza. The Ottoman Empire and its forces became quiet weak then and the final blow came in the form of the Palestine attack. On November 13, 1918, the capital city of Constantinople was captured by the French as well as the British troops. All the active troops of the Ottoman Empire were completely surrendered and it was the end of the war in that region. After the victory several pacts were signed between the Middle East region and the Allied force but this did not cause any sort of positive effects on the whole thing. Paris Peace Conference was the beginning of the peace making process but it did not render the expected results. The treaty was not ratified by the Ottoman Empire which became a major cause of concern during that period of time. With in few years of the war and its implications, Turkey got its independence and established a strong hold of the Republic of Turkey. Instead the condition only made things worse and the conflicts started up once again this time it was more on the negotiation level. Ford provides the readers with the aftermath of the war and the consequence of the period which remains the cause for several of the unsolved problems that the region is facing even now on a wider level. Ford brings out all of the facts of the Middle East region in a more elaborate and concrete manner and the best part is the fact that he has done it through a single volume book. While the narration makes sure to sustain the momentum that one would get in a warfare epic, the presentation makes it even more reliable. An extensive research is carried out by the author on this area and he spreads it across logically into several chapters. Crux of the book is maintained all throughout and the author is successful in narrating the aftermath of the war in the Middle East region. After the war, there were several attempts to peace negotiations which only aggravated the situation rather than putting an end to it. Reference: Ford, Roger. Eden to Armageddon: World War I in the Middle East. Pegasus, 1 edition, 2010 Read More