Libya - The Rise and Fall of Qaddafi

This is a very strong book that does not just cover the civil war / intervention period. Pargeter knows Libya very well, and provides a clear picture of life and living under Gaddafi, the peculiar kind of state he established, and the background to the mass protests that led to his fall in 2011. The book could perhaps have been more focussed on the Libyan government's perspective on the events of 2011, but what she does say is insightful. One always has the impression that Pargeter is in command of her material. Her testimony to the UK Select Foreign Affairs Committee is also useful and sheds further light into the story told here.

Found it slow to get into but actually quite a good read for someone interested in learning about Libya / North Africa. Already dated however, but that's a symptom of the problems in the country

The book gives a basic understanding not just of the history of gaddafi but Libya as a whole. The only issue I would have is the book comes across as very anti-gaddafi in some parts. Overall very good book.

I lived in Libya during the last 5 years of his reign and therefore have a reasonable knowledge of the man, who I met twice, and his regime. This book, coming relatively late in the day, adds nothing new to that which can be found in earlier books to the point that I can not imagine what motivated the author to write this book. It might be interesting to the first time visitor to the Gaddhafi story but are there still such ignorant people in the world?