Alexandria Adieu: A Personal History: 1939-1960

A twin narrative: one of the most insightful journalists of our time tells the enchanting story of this hauntingly beautiful city.

Adel Darwish has been a distinguished figure in the Press Gallery at the House of Commons through some of the most tumultuous political upheavals of the modern age. His reporting and analysis have informed literally millions, both across the Middle East region and internationally, and he is a regular figure across satellite news channels the world over.

In Alexandria Adieu, he shares an eyewitness account of life in this uniquely cosmopolitan and ancient city between the Second World War and 1960. Over the course of this period, he witnessed the exodus of over 100,000 Alexandrians dispersed worldwide and the sad demise of many of the city’s great institutions and traditions. This book tells that story and captures the lost charm, drawing not only on his own personal experiences in the city of his birth, but also on the rich historical background and the deep literary heritage.