by Rachel Simon
First published 1987
Rachel Simon examines Libya during a pivotal period when Ottoman control began weakening and nationalist movements gained strength. The book traces how Libyans navigated competing loyalties as the empire that had governed them for centuries faced internal decay and external pressures. Simon analyzes the social, political, and cultural forces that shaped Libyan identity during this transition. She shows how local leaders, religious figures, and ordinary citizens responded to changing circumstances. The study reveals how Libyans balanced their Ottoman heritage with emerging desires for self-determination. Simon demonstrates that this tension created lasting effects on Libyan society and politics. The work offers readers insight into a crucial chapter of North African history.
Genres: history, 20th-century, politics, african-literature, middle-east, 19th-century
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: historical-fiction
Setting: Libya, North Africa
Period: 19th-Century, 20th-Century
398 pages · Paperback · K. Schwarz