Lion of Jordan: The Life of King Hussein in War and Peace

Lion of Jordan: The Life of King Hussein in War and Peace. By Avi Shlaim. Sept. 2008. 752p. Knopf, $35 (978 1400043057). 956.9504.

The late King Hussein of Jordan was the favorite Arab ruler of both Israeli and other Western leaders, often referred to affectionately as the PLK (plucky little king). Professor Shlaim has written a massive, engrossing, and provocative biography of Hussein that is likely to engender controversy, because it is not a balanced work. Shlaim is a strong admirer of Hussein, and he is highly critical of most Israeli politicians, particularly in their dealings with Hussein. Still, this isn't a hagiography; Shlaim views Hussein as a man constantly forced to reconcile his primary goal, the preservation of the Hashemite dynasty, with the aims of Arab-particularly Palestinian- nationalists. This tension led to his disastrous decision to intervene in the Six Day War and the loss of the West Bank to Israel. The core of the book examines Hussein's frequent meetings with Israelis after that war, as he sought peace at great personal risk. Hussein is described as flexible and willing to compromise, while Israelis are seen as rigid and consistently devoted to territorial expansion. This is a revealing, important work, but Shaim's analyses of these negotiations will be hotly debated. -Jay Freeman

The late King [Hussein] of Jordan was the favorite Arab ruler of both Israeli and other Western leaders, often referred to affectionately as the PLK (plucky little king). Professor [Shlaim] has written a massive, engrossing, and provocative biography of Hussein that is likely to engender controversy, because it is not a balanced work.