Nicholas Blanford Book order (chronological)

Hezbollah stands as the most powerful Islamist group in the Middle East, and Nicholas Blanford offers an unparalleled inside account of its enduring struggle against Israel. Drawing from over fifteen years of reporting in Lebanon and extensive conversations with Hezbollah fighters, Blanford uncovers their ideology, motivations, and training, alongside insights into military tactics, weaponry, and advanced electronic warfare systems. He traces Hezbollah’s evolution from a group of fervent fighters inspired by Iran’s 1979 Islamic revolution to the world's most formidable non-state military organization, led by a charismatic leader intent on Israel’s destruction. Through dramatic eyewitness accounts, including his own experiences of battles and tragedies, Blanford narrates the resistance campaign that culminated in Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon in 2000. He illustrates how Hezbollah garnered support through social welfare initiatives and adept propaganda. The book also details the group's military build-up post-2000, revealing the extensive network of tunnels and bunkers he uniquely discovered. As tensions rise in the region, Blanford investigates Hezbollah’s post-2006 strategies, gaining insights through probing interviews and facing significant personal risks. This work is crucial for understanding a pivotal player in a rapidly changing Middle East.

Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, known as "Mr. Lebanon," was killed by a massive explosion as he drove along the Beirut seafront on February 14, 2005. A business entrepreneur, who rose from nothing to become one of the most powerful men in Lebanese politics, Hariri's assassination has incited outrage and suspicion. Nicholas Blanford investigates Hariri's past, inextricably linked with that of Lebanon, and uncovers a murky world of shifting alliances between businesses, the military, politicians and diplomats. Based on exclusive interviews with key players, he traces the last weeks of Hariri’s life, and reveals who stood to gain from his death. He assesses its impact on Lebanese politics including the withdrawal of Syrian troops, Hezbollah and the peace process. Full of intrigue, shady characters, and suspense, Killing Mr Lebanon brings to light what the Lebanese people have clamored for since Valentine's Day 2005: "Al Haqiqa"--the truth.