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The Poisoned Well: Empire and its Legacy in the Middle East
The conflicts and crises of today's Middle East are rooted in the colonial era. To better understand them, we need to acknowledge how Western imperialism negatively shaped the region and its destiny in the half-century between World War I and the happenings of the Cold War. That is the challenging argument of The Poisoned Well, which provides a vivid account of the struggle against European colonial rule in ten states stretching from North Africa to south Arabia.
Drawing on a rich cast of eye-witnesses - ranging from nationalists and colonial administrators to soldiers, spies, and courtesans - The Poisoned Well brings to life the story of the making of the Middle East, highlighting the great dramas of decolonization such as the end of the Palestine mandate, the Suez crisis, the Algerian war of independence, and the retreat from Aden. It argues that imperialism sowed the seeds of future conflict - and poisoned relations between the Middle East and the West.
Bolstered by firsthand accounts and interviews, readers will find a wise and humanistic account of the struggle for independence in the Middle East. Written by a former BBC journalist, it is a far-ranging, landmark work that will serve as the definitive history of Western imperialism in the Middle East for years to come.
Drawing on a rich cast of eye-witnesses - ranging from nationalists and colonial administrators to soldiers, spies, and courtesans - The Poisoned Well brings to life the story of the making of the Middle East, highlighting the great dramas of decolonization such as the end of the Palestine mandate, the Suez crisis, the Algerian war of independence, and the retreat from Aden. It argues that imperialism sowed the seeds of future conflict - and poisoned relations between the Middle East and the West.
Bolstered by firsthand accounts and interviews, readers will find a wise and humanistic account of the struggle for independence in the Middle East. Written by a former BBC journalist, it is a far-ranging, landmark work that will serve as the definitive history of Western imperialism in the Middle East for years to come.
280 pages, Hardcover
First published August 25, 2016
36 people are currently reading
506 people want to read
About the author
Roger Hardy
14 books20 followersRoger Hardy is an aviation man, pilot, designer and latterly, safety regulator. He was born into a Royal Air Force family just before our noble Monarch ascended the throne and has worked in the UK, the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany before finally settling in Portugal. He is European by instinct and inclination and currently runs his guesthouse business in Carvoeiro in the Algarve (www.casaluiz.com). He has two grown-up children and, having completed five novels, has set sail into eBook waters. Outside of writing, he can get a trifle boring on the subject of the operas of Richard Strauss, given half a chance. In addition (and we don't mention this in polite company) he restores old Dinky toy aircraft from the 1930s and 40s.
I have been writing novels for some years now and have seen the seismic changes to the book publishing industry with the introduction of eReaders and eBooks. Not one to buck a trend and conscious of the parlous state of traditional Dickensian publishing, I decided to publish my novels as eBooks and they are all now available from Amazon for the Kindle eReader.
My novels are in a variety of genres, sometimes mixed, from light to heavy, and I write what I want to write rather than what the market demands or what is trendy. Each one has been edited by professional editor and published novelist, Debi Alper. I write because I enjoy it. I hope you do as well.
I have been writing novels for some years now and have seen the seismic changes to the book publishing industry with the introduction of eReaders and eBooks. Not one to buck a trend and conscious of the parlous state of traditional Dickensian publishing, I decided to publish my novels as eBooks and they are all now available from Amazon for the Kindle eReader.
My novels are in a variety of genres, sometimes mixed, from light to heavy, and I write what I want to write rather than what the market demands or what is trendy. Each one has been edited by professional editor and published novelist, Debi Alper. I write because I enjoy it. I hope you do as well.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
January 4, 2018
A short history of imperialism in Middle East, won't offer anything new for someone familiar with history of region but I still would recommend reading the epilogue. I tend to agree with author's view on political prospects for Middle East. He maintains that future will be shaped with the struggle between authoritarian governments (which he claims has roots in imperialism era), secular and nationalist opposition, and radical Islamist factions with foreign powers taking sides pursuing their own interest.
October 20, 2016
I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
This is a really fascinating history of a part of the world that, to Western eyes nowadays, seems synonymous with violence, extremism and full of powerful anti-Western sentiment. This book gives a very well researched and brilliantly written window into what has happened in this world over the last century, and goes a long way to explaining why this may have come about.
With its myriad of ethnic groups, religious sects and tribal cultures, the Middle East and North Africa was always going to be volatile. But we will never know how much carnage and suffering could have been avoided, if the situation were not continually exacerbated by the often misguided interference and broken promises of the Western powers, especially those of Britain, France and, later, the USA, who tended to act in their own self-interest rather than for the well-being of the Arabs, Persians, Berbers, Kurds, Jews and other native peoples. The author states that “Western imperialism is not responsible for the ills of the modern Middle East. But the Western world has played a significant role in shaping the region and its destiny”, and he then goes on, country by country (starting with Turkey), to detail how “for roughly the last two centuries the Middle East has been more consistently and more thoroughly ensnarled in great power politics than any other part of the non-Western world”.
The book takes as its starting point the decline and break-up of the Ottoman Empire, and the subsequent colonial administration of the residual areas by Britain and France following World War I: “First and foremost, the Europeans drew borders—lines in the sand—which, however arbitrary or unwanted, have proved remarkably durable”. Really, only now with the advent of ISIS, have these “lines” become obscured.
The book stops short of the current situation – focussing much more on the nation-making and independence processes of the 1920s to 1960s – but gives essential background to what is happening today. Some of the information I had previously known about, but much was new to me, and I had not read such a comprehensive summary of Middle Eastern and North African history before.
The author is at pains to point out that no party remains fully blameless in the ensuing state of affairs. For the North Africans and Middle East peoples “the notion that they are passive victims of Western conspiracies is both self-serving and facile”. But, at the same time, “with its reckless and ill-planned interventions, its indulgence of autocratic rulers, its doubletalk about democracy and human rights, [the West] has contributed in no small measure to the instability of the region, and to the poisoning of relations between the Middle East and the West”.
The “Well” of the book’s title has been poisoned by complicated historical wrongs, remedies and grievances, and compounded by an inability – or refusal – to empathise with the viewpoint of another people. Reading this book goes a long way to promoting an understanding of why such a horrendously complex situation has evolved.
This is a really fascinating history of a part of the world that, to Western eyes nowadays, seems synonymous with violence, extremism and full of powerful anti-Western sentiment. This book gives a very well researched and brilliantly written window into what has happened in this world over the last century, and goes a long way to explaining why this may have come about.
With its myriad of ethnic groups, religious sects and tribal cultures, the Middle East and North Africa was always going to be volatile. But we will never know how much carnage and suffering could have been avoided, if the situation were not continually exacerbated by the often misguided interference and broken promises of the Western powers, especially those of Britain, France and, later, the USA, who tended to act in their own self-interest rather than for the well-being of the Arabs, Persians, Berbers, Kurds, Jews and other native peoples. The author states that “Western imperialism is not responsible for the ills of the modern Middle East. But the Western world has played a significant role in shaping the region and its destiny”, and he then goes on, country by country (starting with Turkey), to detail how “for roughly the last two centuries the Middle East has been more consistently and more thoroughly ensnarled in great power politics than any other part of the non-Western world”.
The book takes as its starting point the decline and break-up of the Ottoman Empire, and the subsequent colonial administration of the residual areas by Britain and France following World War I: “First and foremost, the Europeans drew borders—lines in the sand—which, however arbitrary or unwanted, have proved remarkably durable”. Really, only now with the advent of ISIS, have these “lines” become obscured.
The book stops short of the current situation – focussing much more on the nation-making and independence processes of the 1920s to 1960s – but gives essential background to what is happening today. Some of the information I had previously known about, but much was new to me, and I had not read such a comprehensive summary of Middle Eastern and North African history before.
The author is at pains to point out that no party remains fully blameless in the ensuing state of affairs. For the North Africans and Middle East peoples “the notion that they are passive victims of Western conspiracies is both self-serving and facile”. But, at the same time, “with its reckless and ill-planned interventions, its indulgence of autocratic rulers, its doubletalk about democracy and human rights, [the West] has contributed in no small measure to the instability of the region, and to the poisoning of relations between the Middle East and the West”.
The “Well” of the book’s title has been poisoned by complicated historical wrongs, remedies and grievances, and compounded by an inability – or refusal – to empathise with the viewpoint of another people. Reading this book goes a long way to promoting an understanding of why such a horrendously complex situation has evolved.
July 4, 2016
Informative, good writing style, easy to read.
Currently reading
August 27, 2025Excellent read, give a a great understanding of the interferences & betrayal of colonial powers in the middle East which gives great insight as to why the area remains so turbulent today.
May 11, 2017
Snapshots from the fall of imperial powers in the Middle East. Hardy is handicapped by the sheer mass of material that he has to get through; at its weakest moments, this book is but a potted history of political developments in whatever country the chapter is covering. But overall, this was a decent overview of the consequences of (particiularly British) imperial intervention in the Middle East. The narration is made much less dull by the use of eyewitness testimony, though unfortunately too many of these are Brits or Americans who happened to be passing through. I would have liked to have heard from more of the actual residents of the various countries.
May 13, 2018
Mr. Roger Hardy did a great job. This book is a result of his life long wisdom (gained by actually spending years of his life in Middle East) and a lot of thorough research. It’s an unbiased and highly informative book and a great read. I’d love to suggest it to anyone who’s interested in learning something very valuable and genuine about Europe and especially Middle East’s colonial and post-colonial past.
May 2, 2019
An interesting historical sweep from the Victorian era, colonial rule to independence of ten Middle Eastern countries. It shames the tactics and incompetencies of the colonial powers and the failure of the local poilticians to establish stable and just administrations. the story has a long way to run.
October 1, 2023
For anyone already versed in Middle East history, this book will be too light a touch. But for those wanting a clear, readable, compelling narrative of imperial powers and the founding of modern Middle Eastern nations, I highly recommend this book, which is also sprinkled with vivid quotes from more minor figures (mostly not white men too).
August 27, 2025
excellent breakdown of the folly of empire building in Middle east and north africa and the effects that still echo through to the present and have shaped the relations of the people's and the region towards the west and why understanding this is so imperative to being able to appreciate why the modern conflicts in these regions are more that news narratives.
October 21, 2017
Sets out the legacies of primarily British (but also French) missteps in the Middle East and North Africa at the time of rising Arab nationalism. Thorough and depressing with lots of fascinating vignettes of characters who shaped events in each place.
November 25, 2017
Great journalistic overview of the colonial endgame in Turkey, Israel/Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Iraq, Algeria and Yemen; the setting of the stage for the political gridlock and immobilism to come.
May 2, 2020
Knowing next to nothing of middle eastern modern history, I found this book an interesting overview of how the modern states emerged. It’s an easy read, and I suspect a good primer for further more specific reading.
May 6, 2017
What might have been a textbook-like summary of decolonisation across the Middle East is brought to life by well-chosen and beautifully written vignettes of characters from the time.
September 1, 2017
Terrific book.
This is a great read. Fluid. Coherent. Flows nicely. Great historical data and fresh insight. Put together very well and nicely written.
This is a great read. Fluid. Coherent. Flows nicely. Great historical data and fresh insight. Put together very well and nicely written.
January 5, 2018
A superb history of the Middle East and the legacy of bad decisions.
April 25, 2019
Brief but informative. A good starting place for anyone interested in the mess in the Middle East that provides a background on the main areas of contention from Iran to Algeria.
November 2, 2019
Bueno para conocer a grandes rasgos la formación de los países de Medio Oriente. Tiene una narrativa sencilla, cada capítulo abarca un país.
March 18, 2020
I like this, covers a lot of ground quickly. I'm not sure how else you cover 150 years of history across 12 countries+, though. Could be titled Colonialists Behaving Badly starring Great Britain. With Special Guest France. And, Introducing the United States!
June 23, 2017
4 out of 5 Stars
I received an advance copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Roger Hardy has set out a monumental task for himself. In "Poisoned Well," he seeks to lay out the development of the Middle East we see in our news feeds every day. From the downfall of the Ottoman Empire, to the bitter struggles that marked the death throes of European imperialism in the middle decades of the 20th century, Hardy focuses on the impact of European colonialism on the region and how imperial hubris helped to develop reactionary movements whose impact is still being felt today.
The scope of "Poisoned Well" is quite sweeping. It begins with the breaking up of the Ottoman Empire after the First World War. In the post war peace talks, the Empire (which had allied with Germany) was to be broken up and split among the two major Allied powers at the talks, namely Britain and France. The plan, on paper, was for the pieces of the Ottoman Empire (some divided, literally at random, into new nation states by the Europeans) to be come colonies and protectorates of either France or Britain, with the goal of westernizing and modernizing these new countries, and eventually returning them to independence, as staunch allies of the west, safeguarding European interests in the Middle East. What actually happened should shock no one. The European powers found it hard to let go of their new colonies, especially after oil was discovered in the region.
Hardy takes us on a whirlwind tour of the region, giving us insight into the development of modern day Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Algiers, Iraq, Syria, and of course the still violently contentious Palestine/Israel conflict. Each country is allotted its own chapter, which generally gives some history of the area under the Ottoman Turks, and progresses through the start of colonization, through World War Two, and on to independence. With each, Hardy gives us both sides of coin, the British or French officials (political or military) who ran the country, and the nationals who pushed against them for freedom. Hardy gives special attention to the evolution of nationalist movements in each country, showing how the steps (and missteps) taken by the Europeans helped to shape the nationalist movements they were working against.
As you progress further into the book, certain names on both sides start to repeat, and you realize there's another layer underneath Hardy's narrative. European names reappear when politicians, journalists, or spies move from country to country for their work. The Arabic names reappear and you realize that there where two fronts to the nationalist movement in the Middle East. There was a nation-state level movement within each colony, but there was also a pan-Arabic nationalist movement, seeking to unify all the Arab nations under one banner (Hardy points out that this is very similar to one of the goals of the radical Jihadists we see today).
In all, Hardy has produced a wide-reaching, yet accessible book. It provides a great jumping off point for folks (like me) who don't know much about the history of the Middle East; yet his use of first person accounts (though these are mostly from European sources) should interest a scholar of the area. In fact, I'd say that the weakest part of "Poisoned Well" is also the strongest. By giving us such a broad look at the colonial history of the Middle East, Hardy naturally has to sacrifice detail. Each chapter is a complete story in its own right, but Hardy will mention something in passing in the midst of a paragraph, and you get the feeling he just compressed a major political turning point into a few words. Fortunately, a Dramatis Personae and a bibliography at the end of the book allow for further reading.
Those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it. Reading "Poisoned Well," it is striking (and depressing) how cyclical the western world's dealings with the Middle East really are.
More reviews and content on my blog:
https://theirregularreaderblog.wordpr...
I received an advance copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Roger Hardy has set out a monumental task for himself. In "Poisoned Well," he seeks to lay out the development of the Middle East we see in our news feeds every day. From the downfall of the Ottoman Empire, to the bitter struggles that marked the death throes of European imperialism in the middle decades of the 20th century, Hardy focuses on the impact of European colonialism on the region and how imperial hubris helped to develop reactionary movements whose impact is still being felt today.
The scope of "Poisoned Well" is quite sweeping. It begins with the breaking up of the Ottoman Empire after the First World War. In the post war peace talks, the Empire (which had allied with Germany) was to be broken up and split among the two major Allied powers at the talks, namely Britain and France. The plan, on paper, was for the pieces of the Ottoman Empire (some divided, literally at random, into new nation states by the Europeans) to be come colonies and protectorates of either France or Britain, with the goal of westernizing and modernizing these new countries, and eventually returning them to independence, as staunch allies of the west, safeguarding European interests in the Middle East. What actually happened should shock no one. The European powers found it hard to let go of their new colonies, especially after oil was discovered in the region.
Hardy takes us on a whirlwind tour of the region, giving us insight into the development of modern day Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Algiers, Iraq, Syria, and of course the still violently contentious Palestine/Israel conflict. Each country is allotted its own chapter, which generally gives some history of the area under the Ottoman Turks, and progresses through the start of colonization, through World War Two, and on to independence. With each, Hardy gives us both sides of coin, the British or French officials (political or military) who ran the country, and the nationals who pushed against them for freedom. Hardy gives special attention to the evolution of nationalist movements in each country, showing how the steps (and missteps) taken by the Europeans helped to shape the nationalist movements they were working against.
As you progress further into the book, certain names on both sides start to repeat, and you realize there's another layer underneath Hardy's narrative. European names reappear when politicians, journalists, or spies move from country to country for their work. The Arabic names reappear and you realize that there where two fronts to the nationalist movement in the Middle East. There was a nation-state level movement within each colony, but there was also a pan-Arabic nationalist movement, seeking to unify all the Arab nations under one banner (Hardy points out that this is very similar to one of the goals of the radical Jihadists we see today).
In all, Hardy has produced a wide-reaching, yet accessible book. It provides a great jumping off point for folks (like me) who don't know much about the history of the Middle East; yet his use of first person accounts (though these are mostly from European sources) should interest a scholar of the area. In fact, I'd say that the weakest part of "Poisoned Well" is also the strongest. By giving us such a broad look at the colonial history of the Middle East, Hardy naturally has to sacrifice detail. Each chapter is a complete story in its own right, but Hardy will mention something in passing in the midst of a paragraph, and you get the feeling he just compressed a major political turning point into a few words. Fortunately, a Dramatis Personae and a bibliography at the end of the book allow for further reading.
Those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it. Reading "Poisoned Well," it is striking (and depressing) how cyclical the western world's dealings with the Middle East really are.
More reviews and content on my blog:
https://theirregularreaderblog.wordpr...
December 20, 2016
Roger Hardy was for twenty years a Middle East analyst at the BBC World Services. He has written a superb book that skillfully navigates the events, personalities, politics , what you can call the rocks and eddies of the region's history. Hardy has a brilliant ability to capture detail, and do it in an easy manner providing a superb overview of events from the early 19th century when European powers first began to take over the lands that were mostly part of the Ottoman Sultan's Empire. This is a fine book, concise and well written examination of events and key individuals who impacted and changed the direction of history in the Middle East. His sketches of the characters is well done. His book is full of great and humble individuals giving the reader a greater sense of why things have happened as they did as the region moved toward independent "nations." Hardy is able to put understanding into events often reported inaccurately and misunderstood by western mind sets. One powerful conclusion you'll take away from reading this fascinating history is the West's on going constant need to protect, either through proxies or direct intervention what is seen as a vital region for western interests. This emotional involvement is the growing danger and trigger for greater conflicts. As Roger Hardy so clearly shows, Anti-Western sentiment has been a constant reality of the modern Middle East. It is not going to go away. This is an outstanding history of this challenging geo-political dilemma.
September 29, 2016
If you've ever wondered about the origin of and reasons for the continuing conflict in the Middle East, reading Roger Hardy's "The Poisoned Well: Empire and Its Legacy in the Middle East" will provide you with an excellent historical perspective. The region has had a history of conflict, which the author asserts, is rooted in colonial rule which was in place for generations.
I began reading this book with the assumption that the modern problems in the region are primarily based in religious differences. However, I soon learned the conflicts are much more complex than that, and when you read this book, you will see that the region has been exploited in so many way, by so many, and, especially by the western powers. It is a sad history, and yet the people have thrived, no thanks to broken promises and irresponsible actions of some.
I recommend this book to anyone who would like a better understanding of the people of problems of this region. I received an advance readers copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I began reading this book with the assumption that the modern problems in the region are primarily based in religious differences. However, I soon learned the conflicts are much more complex than that, and when you read this book, you will see that the region has been exploited in so many way, by so many, and, especially by the western powers. It is a sad history, and yet the people have thrived, no thanks to broken promises and irresponsible actions of some.
I recommend this book to anyone who would like a better understanding of the people of problems of this region. I received an advance readers copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
January 28, 2017
Hardy gives readers a wonderful survey into the the repercussions of the decline of imperialism and decolonization in the Middle East. Each chapter centers around a different nation-state which could be read as encyclopedic starting points or, as Hardy intended, read as a masterful chronological narrative that illustrates how attempts to preserve imperial interests from Western powers inspired backlash in the region.
This a good starting point for those who are seeking a better understanding of the creation of the modern Middle East. This should also be read by those who voice an opinion about relations between the West and the Middle East. Failed interventions and attempts at regional hegemony left smoldering embers that would ignite a backlash in which Europe and the United States would deal with in the 21st Century. Hardy's academic and thoughtful book provides a valuable context that doesn't rely on an ignorant understand of various religions or race. This covers the fallout of reckless diplomacy.
This a good starting point for those who are seeking a better understanding of the creation of the modern Middle East. This should also be read by those who voice an opinion about relations between the West and the Middle East. Failed interventions and attempts at regional hegemony left smoldering embers that would ignite a backlash in which Europe and the United States would deal with in the 21st Century. Hardy's academic and thoughtful book provides a valuable context that doesn't rely on an ignorant understand of various religions or race. This covers the fallout of reckless diplomacy.
January 19, 2017
I have to acknowledge a special interest in this book. I know the author well because we were colleagues at the BBC, and a lot of the material for The Poisoned Well was gathered during trips we made together for documentary series on the Middle East. That said, the point about Roger's writing is its clarity. You will not be befuddled by long sentences or complex structures. He knows what he needs to say and he says it. He is also not afraid to be direct, landing punches where they are deserved - on all sides. If ever you needed to read a book about the Middle East as it has come to be today, and wondered why it is as it is, this very readable analysis, with its character studies and anecdotes to carry you through, should be the one.
May 11, 2025
One of my favorite books about the Middle East! I love that each chapter is about a specific country. This book gives a really holistic view about the history of the region, and where it’s at today.
March 6, 2022
A brief history of conflicts in the Middle East. Too short, in my opinion.
Want to read
October 13, 2016Reviewed by FT
March 23, 2017
It is a book that is quite enjoyable to read and that gives the reader an overview of the Middle East history in the last century, more concretely reminding the reponsibilities of the British and French rule on the current situatiion - something we could consider their toxic legacies. It is a book that by its singular content illuminates a canvas of power, greed and double standards.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews