Gamal Abdel Nasser (1918–1970) led a secret movement of army officers which overthrew the Egyptian monarchy in 1952, after which he instituted a one-party regime and made himself President. His successful defiance of Britain and France in the Suez Crisis of 1956 heralded the end of western imperialism in the Middle East and made Nasser the leading statesman in the Arab world. His desire for Arab unity led to the short-lived union of Egypt and Syria in a United Arab Republic. Despite its failure Nasser’s numerous supporters throughout the Middle East continued to promote his radical belief in pan-Arab nationalism as the only means to achieve Arab independence. Nasser led Egypt to a humiliating defeat by Israel in the Six-Day War of 1967, but he remained a hero to most ordinary Arabs before his sudden death three years later.
The Ten Short Chapters series presents clear and concise accounts of great figures and events in history. Written in a straightforward, no-nonsense style they give brief but informative introductions to historical subjects and are ideal for both students and general readers.