The first Arab country to gain independence from the Ottoman Empire, the Hashemite kingdom lasted from 1916 to 1925. Teitlebaum (history, Tel Aviv U., Israel) tells the story of the "Revolt of the Desert," but focuses on the reasons for the final failure of the kingdom. Along the way his eye falls on state mechanisms of coercion, the financial failures of the kingdom, challenges of state formation, and the eventual invasion of the Saudis. He concludes that the failure of the Hashemite kingdom was largely due to the personal failures of the head of the Chieftancy, Sharif Husayn. According to Teitlebaum, Husayn was uncharismatic and unwisely ambitious, failing to concentrate power in the heart of the Hijaz and expand state power into social relations. c. Book News Inc.