Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies
Duke of Westminster's Medal for Military Literature
Created with the support of The Duke of Westminster, the Duke of Westminster's Medal for Military Literature has been awarded annually since 1997. The award is given to a book by a living author, regardless of nationality, gender or age, who makes a notable and original contribution to the study of international and national security and defence.
The winner will be presented with the Medal and a cash prize of £1,000 and invited to deliver a lecture on their work to a distinguished audience at the Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies (RUSI), in Whitehall.
2009 Award Winner
RUSI is delighted to announce this year’s winner for the 2009 Duke of Westminster's Medal for Military Literature.
A Choice of Enemies
America Confronts the Middle East
By Sir Lawrence Freedman
Published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson
Listen to Lawrence Freedman's acceptance speech >
In this superb, well written, book Professor Freedman traces the iinvolvement of the United States in the politics of the Middle East from the time of Jimmy Carter onwards. It is a story of revolution, violence and war, with American policy yielding few gains and many setbacks. The author combines detail with clarity and narrative with elucidation and takes the reader through complex situations without ever losing the main threads. Characterised by deep understanding of the subject matter and sound judgement, this authoritative work is required reading for policy practitioners among others.
Chair of the Judges, Duke of Westminster's Medal for Military Literature
Shortlist
Six titles were chosen to go on to the shortlist from the 50 books originally submitted.