Cairo in the War 1939-1945 by Artemis Cooper

Cairo in the War 1939-1945 by Artemis Cooper is a fascinating and richly detailed account of life in Egypt’s capital during the Second World War. Combining military history, political intrigue and colourful social history, Cooper recreates the extraordinary atmosphere of wartime Cairo, a city that became one of the most important centres of Allied operations in North Africa and the Middle East.

As German and Italian forces advanced across the Western Desert, Cairo became a meeting place for British military commanders, diplomats, intelligence officers, spies, journalists, adventurers and refugees. Behind the uncertainty of the North African campaign, an extraordinary social world continued to flourish in the city’s fashionable hotels, clubs and restaurants.

Cairo in the War explores the contrasting experiences of ordinary servicemen and privileged officers, revealing a remarkable mixture of danger, extravagance, espionage and political manoeuvring. The famous Shepheard’s Hotel and Gezira Club provide a colourful backdrop to the activities of personalities whose lives became intertwined with the unfolding conflict.

Cairo in the War also examines the complicated relationship between British authorities and Egypt’s monarchy, particularly the influence of British Ambassador Sir Miles Lampson and the political tensions surrounding King Farouk. With Field Marshal Erwin Rommel’s Afrika Korps threatening Egypt in 1942, the stakes became increasingly desperate before the decisive Allied victories in the Western Desert.

Condition – Good

Covers show light shelf and handling wear, with the spine appearing sound and the binding secure. Light age-related discolouration and foxing are present, particularly along the page edges and on some preliminary pages. A previous owner’s name is handwritten on the dedication page. Overall, a respectable and well-preserved reading copy.