More than fifty years after his death, Gamal Abd al-Nasser remains a towering figure in the Arab world. As one of the young officers who overthrew British-backed King Farouk in 1952, Nasser rose to prominence as a charismatic visionary who challenged foreign dominance. At just 36 years old, he became the undisputed leader of Egypt, in a presidency that would run from 1956 to 1970.

This insightful biography delves into the life of Nasser, charting his rise to power, his nationalisation of the Suez Canal and his turbulent years as president. Many in the Arab World celebrate Nasser for his defiance of colonial rule and his dream of Arab unity. However, his legacy is not without its contradictions. Critics have alluded, for instance, to his autocratic rule and unfulfilled promises. In Nasser (Life and Times), Alexander explores this tension between Nasser’s revolutionary ideas and the reality of his governance, offering a nuanced portrait of one of the most complex figures of the Middle East.