Libya: The Elusive Revolution

"By God I am confused" exclaimed Colonel Gadafi at one Libyan popular conference. Where Libya is concerned who isn't? Ruth First's main emphasis falls on the causes and consequences of the 1969 revolution in which a group of young officers ousted the monarchy. This through survey provides a wealth of information about the religious, economic and social springs of Libyan politics, the sudden explosion of oil revenues and the fanatical often naive, pursuit of Arab unity. She introduces the reader to 20th century social revolution based on the Koran; to an oil rich state determined not to copy Kuwait; to a new center of pan Arabism which has almost invited the hostility of other Arab states; and to a regime which exhorts the people to embrace its historic role but suffocates all independent action.