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A Savage War of Peace

Algeria 1954-1962

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A Savage War of Peace

By: Alistair Horne
Narrated by: James Adams
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The Algerian War lasted from 1954 to 1962. It caused the fall of six French governments, led to the collapse of the Fourth Republic, and came close to provoking a civil war on French soil. More than a million Muslim Algerians died in the conflict, and as many European settlers were driven into exile. Above all, the war was marked by an unholy marriage of revolutionary terror and state torture.

At the time, this brutal, intractable conflict seemed like a French affair. But from the perspective of half a century, it looks less like the last colonial war than the first postmodern one: a full-dress rehearsal for the amorphous struggle that convulsed the Balkans in the 1990s and that now ravages the Middle East, struggles in which religion, nationalism, imperialism, and terrorism assume unparalleled degrees of intensity.

©1977 Alistair Horne (P)2008 Blackstone Audio, Inc. Africa Europe France Military Wars & Conflicts War Middle East Imperialism Iran Thought-Provoking Civil War Middle Ages Russia Algerian War

Critic reviews

"[This] universally acclaimed history...should have been mandatory reading for the civilian and military leaders who opted to invade Iraq." ( Washington Times)
Comprehensive History • Balanced Analysis • Excellent Narration • Detailed Research • Enlightening Account • Rich Voice
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Well researched, written, and narrated. Interesting book about a conflict I knew close to nothing about.

Well Done

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Where does A Savage War of Peace rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I highly recommend this book. It is one of the best history books I have listened to.

Excellent

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This is an excellent book. A good overview of the Algerian war, well written, with a superb narration, that makes listening to it a very good and entertaining experience. The book does not limit itself to a narration of the most relevant aspects of the Algerian war, but it also provides a sensible analysis of such events, its causes and consequences and the relevant actors.
I bought this book after having listened to another of Alistair Horne's audiobooks, also narrated by James Adams. I can only recommend both. These books are history at its best, coupled with a narration that makes the book all the more interesting.

Outstanding

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The Algerian War for independence and the effects it had on France are two extremely valuable stories to be aware of. I am glad I stumbled across this book. Anyone interested in the fundamental issues of 20th and frankly 21st century Western Powers should read this book.

A part of history everyone should know, and the narrator is great

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A rage gem of a book on nationalist revolution in the Mediterranean / near east region. Thoroughly researched, unbiased, with great analysis that is pertinent to today's conflicts.

Incredibly thorough with insightful analysis

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The seven and a half year war of Algerian Independence from France was full of abuse, torture and murder on the sides of the Algerians wishing freedom from their French Colonial masters , the French Military, the OAS and FLN with a great deal of civilian collateral damage. Thousands would die over the course of the war, which divided Frenchmen and Algerians. It was a war that lead to multiple attempts on the life of Charles De Gaulle, the French President. It is a war that lead to the dissolving of the IV Republique and the beginning of the V Republique in France. Alistair Horne's exacting study and detail of the war lets you get to know all of the main players from both sides of the war. It's a book that explains a lot of the nature of France's relations with North Africa and the Arab world, and Algeria's current role in the World, as well. It's quite a book, but worth your time.

A North African Blood Bath

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I liked this book. The author did a great job of describing events without getting bogged down in details. Unbiased and engaging. I'm not a Francophone. But I must admit they have great architecture and cuisine.....And Authors. "The street without joy" Algerian version.

Very engaging account

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Would highly recommend. The book is well written and in my view very balanced but the reading is done with a rich deep voice and real passion. Would highly recommend

Excellent book and reading is top notch

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Insightful and, it appears, deeply informed. I thought Horne’s analysis insightful and evenhanded. The narration was excellent.

Enthralling

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Loved it! More people should read this book. I hope that they do it soon.

A good history we should remember

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