King Hussein

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From his youth, when his grandfather was gunned down at his side in Jerusalem Hussein's life has been a dramatic one. He became king in 1953 and has been at the heart of Middle Eastern affairs ever since. Among serving heads of state and government, only Queen Elizabeth II has held office longer. He has achieved this by being a clever asserting early on in his reign his independence from Britain, but retaining close ties with the country where he was educated; establishing good relations with the Americans, and more importantly the Israelis; and maintaining Jordan's independence despite many setbacks, including the loss of the West Bank, and a difficult relationship with the Palestinians. The king has survived attempts on his life and in August 1998 was revealed to be battling cancer for the second time. In late October he was reported to have only three months to live. He has been married four times, once to an English woman and most recently to an American. He is a keen radio ham and an accomplished pilot - a complex man, equally at ease at a campfire with loyal Bedouins as at the controls of a Boeing 747. King Hussein's story is a fascinating one. It is also one that helps provide an understanding of the Middle East. Roland Dallas tells it with great zest and insight., and it is one life