Contemporary Review, Dec 99 "This is a very thoughtful and also well researched study which helps us to understand a war that appears almost incomprehensible to modern Englishmen." International History Review, Vol 22, No 1, March 2000 "This volume is a welcome addition to a body of literature largely captivated either by military narratives or labyrinthine analyses of diplomatic chicanery. Attempting to synthesize these two approaches into a coherent exegesis is in itself a formidable undertaking, for which effort Hughes deserves high praise." Reviews in History, at http://www.lonsoc.org.uk/ihr/reviews/simkins.html "Matthew Hughes is to be congratulated on an excellent study which casts much interesting new light on our knowledge of the First World War. He writes lucidly and his grasp of a wide range of material is impressive. This book is highly recommended to all students of the Great War and of British policy in the Middle East." Middle Eastern Studies "Contributes towards the understanding of the role of the palestine Campaigns and the British push into the Middle east during the First World War" "This very readable and well-researched book is a must for those interested in the so-called side show campaigns of the First World War." Army Historical Research