Europe Leaves the Middle East, 1936-1954

New York: Alfred A. Knopf. Near Fine with no dust jacket. 1972. First Edition. Hardcover. 0394460642 . New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1972. First Edition (stated). Large 8vo. xviii,687pp, Bibliography, plus 38pp Index. Cloth, unworn, near fine condition (tiny spot on lower edge of text block), no dj. Introduction by William L. Langer. 16 maps. During World War I, the Arabs in the Middle East contributed to the success of British operations in Mesopotamia and Syria defeating the forces of Turkey and their ally, Germany. The Arabs had hoped for the establishment of a large independent state which would include Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon. In a secret meeting, the Allied Powers subverted that expectation as the British and French assert spheres of influence in the region; and the Balfour Declaration of Nov. 1917, promising Zionist Jews a national home in Palestine, further precluded an explicit reference to the Arabs and their hope for a large independent state. ISBN 0394460642; Large 8vo 9" - 10" tall; 687 pages .