Examining the authoritarian systems in eight Arab republics, Joseph Sassoon delves into the mechanisms that sustained these regimes from the 1952 Egyptian Revolution to the 2011 Arab uprisings. Through Iraqi archives and personal memoirs of key political figures, the book investigates how leadership cultivated resilience, the economic factors contributing to both the regimes' longevity and eventual decline, and the challenges of transitioning away from authoritarianism. This thematic exploration enhances understanding of the complexities surrounding these political landscapes.
"The astonishing story of the Sassoons, one of the nineteenth century's preeminent commercial families and 'the Rothschilds of the East' The Sassoons were one of the great business dynasties of the nineteenth century, as eminent as traders as the Rothschilds were bankers. This book reveals the secrets behind the family's phenomenal success: how a handful of Jewish exiles from Ottoman Baghdad forged a mercantile juggernaut from their new home in colonial Bombay, the vast network of agents, informants and politicians they built, and the way they came to bridge East and West, culturally as well as commercially. As one competitor remarked, 'silver and gold, silks, gums and spices, opium and cotton, wool and wheat - whatever moves over sea or land feels the hand or bears the mark of Sassoon & Co.' Drawing for the first time on the vast family archives, Joseph Sassoon brings vividly to life a succession of remarkable characters. From a single generation: Flora, the first woman to steer a major global business, Siegfried, the poet, and Victor, the tycoon who drew the stars of Hollywood's silent era to his skyscraper in Shanghai. Through the lives these ambitious figures built for themselves in London, Bombay and beyond, the reader is drawn into a captivating world of politics and power, innovation and intrigue, high society and empire. The Global Merchants is thus at once an intimate portrait of a single family and a panorama of the hundred and thirty years of their prominence: from the Opium Wars and opening of China to the American Civil War, the establishment of the British Raj to India's independence. Together these give a fresh perspective on the evolution of one of the defining forces of their age and the present: globalization. The Sassoons were variously its agents, advocates and casualties, and watching them moving through the world, we perceive the making of our own" -- Amazon
Under Saddam Hussein's leadership, a powerful authoritarian regime was created
in Iraq. The true horrors of this regime have been exposed for the first time
through a massive archive of government documents captured after the fall of
Saddam Hussein. It is these documents that form the basis of... číst celé
The narrative unfolds the rise of a prominent Jewish Baghdadi family, renowned as the "Rothschilds of the East," who built a vast empire spanning finance and trade across three continents. Originating from Mesopotamia, the Sassoons faced adversity, fleeing Baghdad to rebuild their fortune in Bushehr. They dominated the opium trade in India, expanded into textiles, banking, and shipping, and became influential figures in British society. The saga culminates with their alliance with the Rothschild family, weaving a rich tapestry of commerce, power, and legacy against a backdrop of historical change.
The book, first published in 1987, is a scholarly work from Routledge, an imprint of Taylor & Francis. It presents in-depth analysis and insights into its subject matter, contributing significantly to its field. The publication reflects rigorous research and offers valuable perspectives that continue to resonate with readers and scholars alike.
Focusing on self-actualization and the concept of world federalism, this book addresses the urgent need for systemic change to prevent political collapse. As the third installment in a trilogy, it explores innovative solutions and encourages readers to consider how personal growth can contribute to global stability. The author emphasizes the interconnectedness of individual and collective well-being, presenting a vision for a more unified and peaceful world.
Exploring the dynamics of civilization, Joseph Sassoon examines the factors contributing to their rise and decline, particularly focusing on those with significant political power. In this second volume on self-actualization, he advocates for humanism and investigates the social conditions essential for enabling the largest number of individuals to reach their fullest potential.
