The War in Syria, Volume 1 (of 2)

"The War in Syria, Volume 1" by Charles Napier is a recounting of historical events that occurred in the early 1800s. This volume documents the complicated situation in Syria when big changes were happening in politics. It talks about how Mehemet Ali, who was in charge of Egypt for the person in power, gained importance. There were also problems between the Ottoman Empire and the important countries of Europe. Readers who want to see what it was like to be there when the battles were planned and how countries interacted with each other at this important time in history might find this book interesting. The narrative starts by painting a picture of what was going on in the Levant in August of 1839, showing that the Ottoman Empire and Mehemet Ali's troops were increasingly at odds. Napier shares what he learned from talking to important people like Hosrew Pacha and Sir Robert Stopford, which shows how unsure the Turkish government was. He talks about how capable or incapable the allied squadrons were, and what might happen if they didn't do anything, which sets the scene for the unfolding story of a war that will need military actions and diplomatic strategies to respond to the revolts and goals of those taking part. The book starts with a strong description of the political situation and personal stories that could keep people interested in learning more about the conflict.