When Magic Failed

In this evocative memoir, Fouad Ajami reflects on his childhood and youth in Lebanon during the 1950s and 60s, a period of significant transition both for the Middle East and the world. Through his personal story, Ajami explores the tension between tradition and modernity, as Lebanon emerged as a cosmopolitan hub amidst the backdrop of global and regional upheavals. This beautifully written narrative offers a thoughtful glimpse into a formative era that shaped the scholar's understanding of Arab society and history.