Assad

Engrossing . . . Coughlin, as this fine book proves, is a careful judge of situations. . . [it is] meticulously researched and even-handed – as far as such an account can be – and has the vice-like grip of a thriller. -- Alexander Larman * The Daily Telegraph * Useful, clear and interesting . . . a biography, but also an indictment -- Jason Burke * Literary Review * An important, compelling, and detailed examination of the failure of Western powers to act decisively in the early years of the Syrian Civil War and to prevent one of the worst humanitarian disasters of the early twenty-first century. In this significant new book, Con Coughlin provides a superb analysis of the West’s policy missteps and the tragic consequences of them. -- General David Petraeus Fascinating, timely and sharp, Con Coughlin delivers a lucid portrait of the brutal power games and byzantine conspiracies of Syria's Assad dynasty. -- Simon Sebag Montefiore, author of <i>The World: a Family History</i> Con Coughlin's Assad curdles the blood from beginning to end and is always underpinned by superb foundations in analysis. A must-read for everyone who wants to understand the Middle East today. -- Robert Service Con Coughlin examines how a quiet eye surgeon could have turned into one of the world’s most vicious blood-stained dictators. No one could be better qualified than Coughlin to write this thought-provoking and penetrating book. -- Andrew Roberts * Aspects of History *