Reconstructing a Shattered Egyptian Army

Brief Summary

Reconstructing a Shattered Egyptian Army by Youssef H. Aboul-Enein is a detailed exploration of the military thoughts and experiences of Gen. Mohamed Fawzi, who served as the Egyptian War Minister from 1967 to 1971. Originally published in 1984, Gen. Fawzi's memoirs have been largely inaccessible to an English-speaking audience until now. Aboul-Enein endeavors to introduce these strategic insights to American military leaders, drawing connections to historical battles and providing a deeper understanding of military tactics and cooperation, particularly with Soviet forces following Egypt's defeat in the 1967 Six-Day War. The book highlights Fawzi's unique position and critical analysis of his army's failures, bridging past military experiences with future innovations that shaped later conflicts.

Main Themes and Topics

One of the central themes of the book is the examination of Egypt's military restructuring and strategic evolution in the aftermath of the 1967 Six-Day War. Through Gen. Fawzi's introspective critique, the reader gains valuable insights into how the Egyptian army transformed its defeat into a drive for innovation and tactical development. The narrative delves into the intricacies of military cooperation between Egypt and the Soviet Union, shedding light on the level of aid and influence during a critical period of Arab military history. Furthermore, the book touches upon the broader implications of military thought and leadership, presenting Fawzi as a pivotal figure in the conceptualization and execution of strategies that eventually led to the 1973 Yom-Kippur War.

Writing Style and Tone

Youssef H. Aboul-Enein's writing style is analytical and compelling, meticulously detailing historical events with a focus on military strategy and leadership. The tone is scholarly yet accessible, making complex military concepts understandable to readers without a background in military studies. Aboul-Enein incorporates a narrative style that combines historical rigor with clarity, ensuring that readers can grasp the strategic nuances of Gen. Fawzi's perspectives and decisions. While maintaining respect for Fawzi's insights, the author does not shy away from presenting the occasional lapses in judgement characterized by conspiracy theories and pan-Arabism language.

Criticism

While Reconstructing a Shattered Egyptian Army provides an extensive analysis of Gen. Fawzi's military insights, some readers may find the inclusion of conspiracy theories and occasional wishful thinking to be a distraction from the book's primary focus. These elements, though part of Fawzi’s original narratives, may not resonate with all audiences and can detract from the overall credibility of his strategic analysis. Furthermore, the deep dive into Soviet-Egyptian relations, while informative, could be seen as overly detailed for readers primarily interested in the Egyptian perspective on the post-1967 military reconstruction.