Description
PRE-ORDER NOW - Published: 08/10/2026
The first English translation of this revolutionary 1916 text, an unlikely collaboration between Arab intellectuals and British wartime intelligence. In December 1916, a modest Arabic-language book rolled off the presses in Cairo-one that could challenge everything we thought we knew about British intelligence and Arab nationalism. Thawrat al-Arab, the longest piece of British propaganda from the First World War, has been hiding in plain sight for over a century. This first English translation reveals an extraordinary collaboration-between Arab intellectuals and British Military Intelligence-which revolutionised wartime information operations. Commissioned by the legendary Arab Bureau and written by Lebanese journalist As`ad Daghir, this early work of Arab nationalism masterfully weaves together history, political analysis and emotional appeals for independence from Ottoman rule. Although its publication advanced British strategic interests, Thawrat al-Arab was far more than simple propaganda: it allowed authentic Arab voices to speak to Arab audiences. Between its dedication to the `martyrs' hanged by Ottoman authorities and its sweeping vision of Arab greatness, this remarkable text shaped the narrative of the Arab Revolt. A compelling companion to Gearon's The Arab Bureau, which offers a fresh look at Lawrence of Arabia's intelligence unit in light of Thawrat al-Arab, this new book brings a crucial historical document to English-language readers for the first time.Binding: Hardback