Arabian Knight: Colonel Bill Eddy USMC and the Rise of American Power in the Middle East
Winner of the 2009 Benjamin Franklin Award for biography, presented by the Independent Book Publishers Association"Mr. Lippman has a nose for the political nuances of the region and a good eye for detail. Noting that Saudis play chess without the bishop or the queen—for which they substitute an elephant and a vizier—he comments wryly: 'No Christians or women were going to be checkmating any king in Abdel Aziz's Saudi Arabia.'"  —The Economist"Eddy, an intellectual man of action . . . was not one to mince words. With a powerful voice and rugged physique, he was an intimidating figure who did not suffer fools well."  —Colonel Dick Camp USMC (Ret.), coauthor,Lima-6"[Eddy] was a daredevil, who loved nothing better than to stalk German sentries in Indian fashion and steal close to their lines. The Marine service has always attracted men of this type."  —Leatherneck"Thomas Lippman gives us a fascinating book on a little-known officer that should prove useful to U.S. diplomats and military leaders in the daunting years ahead."  —Proceedings and Naval History"Taut and graceful, this book should be read for its mixture of 20th century history and current Middle Eastern insights by all professionally minded Marines, regardless of rank."  —Quantico Sentry"This exceptional biography of a little-known hero of the Corps is a must-read for those who want to understand the roots of our relations in this troubled part of the world and the effect one remarkable individual had in building them." —General Anthony C. Zinni USMC (Ret.), author,A General Speaks Out