All the Pashas Men: Mehmed Ali His Army and the Making of Modern Egypt

Rating:
Summary: Well researched and well written
Review: This book presents a well researched alternative to the usual 'nationalist' view of Mohamed Ali as the founder of the modern Egyptian state. While not arguing the undeniable modernizing influence of Ali's reforms, the author argues convincingly that his motives were dynastic as opposed to nationalistic.

A must read for either Egyptian, Ottoman or military history buffs.