The Suez War in 1956 marked the end of the British Empire, with the government of Anthony Eden forced into a ceasefire as it tried to seize the Suez Canal and overthrow the Egyptian government. Historians since have tried to understand the causes of the war and the reasons for British failure. This work combines key documents with a concise analysis of events. Scott Lucas introduces readers to the personalities involved, assessing their strengths and weaknesses. He considers the intrigue between Britain, France and Israel to attack Egypt, uncovering the secret role of agencies like MI6, and pointing to the regional influence of countries like Syria, Jordan and Iraq. Most importantly, Dr Lucas re-examines the Anglo-American alliance and its dissintegration during Suez.