One of Us

Set in Alexandria and Cairo just prior to and during World War II, One of Us depicts the efforts Britain made to control Egypt, Suez, and the destiny of the region. As its protectorate was ending, plenipot Malcolm Cheyne believed that the best way to control Egypt was through young prince Farouk--to make him "one of us" by sending him to school in England, providing tutoring by a young Briton, James Peel, and even trying to provide for him a British bride. As representatives of Britain enjoyed the sensuous pleasures of Alexandria, manipulated events in Cairo and at the palace, and even attempted, eventually, to influence the by-now King Farouk by forcing his abdication, feeling quite justified all the while, Farouk showed how "one-of-us" he really was. Playing the Nazis against the British, ignoring the terms under which Egypt became "independent," attempting to seduce Ambassador Cheyne's wife, and leading a sensuous life the British ironically considered debauched, Farouk showed himself to be student who learned his lessons well. A fascinating look at a Egypt in the forties and at Farouk before he became a caricature of himself.

The author cleverly leads us through a world of decadence and intrigue from the dual viewpoints of a cautious intelligent young man and an irresistibly manipulative beauty. Neither the characters nor the reader know how much their perceptions will change until all is at stake. A primer on the dangers of passion in politics.

David Freeman's One of Us is a terrific read, a story that feels like an epic but moves like a thriller. The pre-WWII Cairo setting in Cairo is throughly convincing, as is the Last-Days-of-the- British-Empire atmosphere. The characters are believable, even the somewhat unbelievable King Farouk. Highly recommended.