Yasir Arafat

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the book "Yasir Arafat: A Political Biography," written in 2003 by Barry M. Rubin and Judith Colp Rubin. The paper discusses the style and tone of the book and describes the book's analysis of Arafat's personal and political flaws, as well as his perseverance, intelligence, creativity flexibility and effective diplomatic ways. The paper concludes that it is a well-written, balanced and extremely interesting book.

From the Paper:

"A key aspect of Arafat's long diplomatic success, especially in the latter decades of his career, the authors suggest, was the late Palestinian leader's successful cultivation of a particularly sympathetic public image. Perhaps ironically for one who publicly resisted any trappings of success or appearance of modern-day sophistication in favor of a humble if militant stubble-bearded look, Arafat used the mass media with enormous skill. He portrayed himself as a simple, no-frills man of the people, with his simple dress (usually a military uniform, as if he had come straight from battle), stubbly beard, and head-scarf carefully arranged to resemble a map of Palestine. Moreover, Yasir Arafat's disarming personal warmth, toward journalists and others, successfully masked his ruthlessness and perpetual propensity toward violence."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Rubin, Barry M., and Judith Colp Rubin. Yasir Arafat : A Political Biography. New York: Oxford University Press, August 1, 2003.

More papers on Yasir Arafat:

• Term Paper # 59495 : "Arafat: A Controversial Political Legacy"
• Analytical Essay # 12122 : "Arafat: Terrorist or Peacemaker" by Alan Hart"
• Research Paper # 10901 : "Yassar Arafat"

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