Princess Melekper Toussoun, a relative of the late King Farouk of Egypt, is set to publish a biography that promises to shed new light on the life and reign of the young monarch. The book, titled **EFFENDINA: The Story of the Young King Farouk of Egypt, 1920 - 1943**, offers a unique perspective on the king's life, written from the inside by someone who was part of the final dynasty that ruled Egypt since 1805.
The book's publication is significant not only because of its historical value but also because it challenges the prevailing narrative of King Farouk's rule, which has often been portrayed as tumultuous and misguided. Princess Melekper Toussoun's account aims to correct this perception by providing a more nuanced understanding of the king's life, including the medical condition that significantly impacted his personality and the British propaganda that influenced public opinion about Egypt during that period[1].
what is the story of king farouk of egypt
The story of King Farouk of Egypt is a complex and tumultuous one, marked by both grandeur and controversy. Born in 1920, Farouk ascended to the throne at the tender age of 16 after the death of his father, Fuad I, in 1936. His early years were characterized by a lavish lifestyle, with the young monarch indulging in extravagant spending and a fascination with the glamorous royal lifestyle. Despite his youth, Farouk was already demonstrating a penchant for thievery, earning him the nickname "The Thief of Cairo." This excess would later contribute to the growing discontent among the Egyptian people and the military, ultimately leading to the 1952 military coup that forced Farouk to abdicate and exile him to Italy and Monaco. Farouk's rule was also marked by significant political challenges, including the Second World War and the creation of the State of Israel in 1948. His decision to keep the lights on at his palace in Alexandria during a time of blackout due to Italian bombing, as well as his failure to address the economic hardships faced by the Egyptian people, further eroded his popularity. The king's personal life was also marred by controversy, including his multiple marriages and allegations of corruption. His lavish spending and perceived lack of concern for the welfare of his subjects contributed to a growing perception of him as a self-indulgent and ineffective ruler. In the end, it was the military that brought an end to Farouk's reign. On July 23, 1952, a bloodless coup led by Gamal Abdel Nasser and the Free Officers forced Farouk to abdicate, and he was exiled to Italy and Monaco, where he lived until his death in 1965.what were some of the major events during king farouk's reign
King Farouk's reign was marked by significant events that shaped the course of Egyptian history. Some of the major events during his rule include: Assumption of Power: King Farouk ascended to the throne at the age of 16 after the death of his father, Fuad I, in 1936. World War II: During the war, King Farouk maintained Egypt's neutrality, despite the presence of British troops in the country. This led to tensions with the British, who eventually forced him to name the Wafd leader Muṣṭafā al-Naḥḥās Pasha as prime minister in 1942. Alexandria Protocol: In October 1944, the British-backed prime minister, Muṣṭafā al-Naḥḥās Pasha, negotiated the Alexandria Protocol, a step towards the creation of the Arab League in 1945. Arab-Israeli War: The 1948 Arab-Israeli War resulted in a significant defeat for Egypt, which further eroded the king's popularity and contributed to the growing discontent among the military and the people. 1952 Military Coup: The military coup led by Gamal Abdel Nasser on July 23, 1952, overthrew King Farouk, forcing him to abdicate and exile him to Italy and Monaco. These events, along with the king's personal excesses and perceived corruption, ultimately led to the downfall of the monarchy and the establishment of a republic in Egypt.what were some of the internal rivalries of king farouk's administration
King Farouk's administration was marked by significant internal rivalries that contributed to his downfall. Some of these rivalries include: Conflict with the Wafd Party: King Farouk's relationship with the Wafd Party, Egypt's most popular political party, was strained. The Wafd, led by Muṣṭafā al-Naḥḥās Pasha, was a major force in Egyptian politics, and Farouk's attempts to limit their power and influence led to frequent clashes. Rivalries within the Military: The Egyptian military, which was increasingly dissatisfied with Farouk's leadership, was divided among various factions. This internal strife weakened the military's ability to effectively support the king and contributed to the growing discontent that ultimately led to the 1952 coup. Personal and Political Rivalries: King Farouk's personal and political rivalries with various individuals, including politicians and military officers, further eroded his popularity and support. These rivalries often centered around issues of power, influence, and the distribution of resources. These internal rivalries, combined with the king's increasing excesses and perceived corruption, ultimately led to his downfall and the formation of a republic in Egypt. |
| Book cover (c) Princess Melekper Tousson / Nomad Publishing. |
In October 2022, EFFENDINA: The Story of the Young King Farouk of Egypt, 1920 - 1943 will be published by Nomad Publishing. The book was written by a relative of the king, Princess Melekper Toussoun. The following is a summary of the book from its publisher:
About the Author: Melekper Toussoun spent her early childhood in Cairo and at the age of 14 moved to spend a year with her aunt, Emine Toussoun, in Washington DC. She went on to join her mother, step-father and younger brother in Rio de Janeiro. There she completed her schooling, moving to live in Paris at 21, where she became a French citizen and has resided ever since. After a period working in the hotel business she became a trilingual interpreter (French-English-Portuguese) at the agency for the "Programme d’invitation des personnalités d’avenir" at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The remarkable story of the young King Farouk, a ruler widely maligned and deeply misunderstood. King Farouk came to the throne in 1936, at the tender age of 16. The young monarch’s rule was to the be the last in a dynasty that had run this ancient land since 1805 - a relatively short time span beneath the long shadow of Giza’s pyramids. Melekper Toussoun’s account is a history told from the inside, as someone who was part of that final dynasty. In a country whose history is fascinatingly complex and tumultuous, theirs was a family at centre stage, buffeted by joys and tragedies as intense as any that had gone before. They held the helm until the monarchy was toppled in a coup d'état in 1952 – a coup d’état that would probably not have taken place had the young king not suffered an accident that affected the neuronal pathways in his brain. Toussoun’s evocative and highly personal narrative is a window into a secret garden. At its core is the story of the young monarch, and the account pivots on one central event that was to change everything - Farouk’s car accident on a country road in 1943.
- Revolutionary insight into the medical condition that changed the very personality of the young king
- A rebuttal of the racist and colonially motivated British propaganda of the 'veiled protectorate' over Egypt.
The Table of Contents of Effendina are below:
PREFACE: Incorporating November 1943 -"Maktoub"SECTION ONE – BACKGROUNDSECTION TWO - KING FAROUK’S LIFE
- CHAPTER I A Short History of Modern Egypt
- CHAPTER II A Lifetime Has Gone by
- CHAPTER III Her Youth and Marriage
- CHAPTER IV Back to Cairo
- CHAPTER V My Mother's Origins – Chirines and the Crimea
- CHAPTER VI Government, Society and Customs in the Crimea- the end of the Tatars
SECTION THREE - THE UNDERLYING CAUSE - A FRONTAL LOBE SYNDROME
- CHAPTER VII Farouk's Lonely Childhood
- CHAPTER VIII Beginnings 1936
- CHAPTER IX Colonialism : The Story of a Ballad
- CHAPTER X "He Reigns but does Nothing Rule"
- CHAPTER XI Events Leading up to Abdin
- CHAPTER XII The Abdin Incident
AFTERWORD
- CHAPTER XIII Frontal Lobe Syndrome
- CHAPTER XIV "Why Farouk was no longer Farouk"
- CHAPTER XV The Accident and why, "Farouk could not help himself because he was no longer himself"
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| King Fuad II of Egypt, Princess Melekper Toussoun, and her half-brother Prince João Henrique |
You can purchase EFFENDINA: The Story of the Young King Farouk of Egypt, 1920 - 1943 from the publisher at this link: https://nomad-publishing.com/effendina---king-farouk-of-egypt.html
As we conclude our exploration of Princess Melekper Toussoun's biography of King Farouk of Egypt, we are left with a deeper understanding of the complexities and challenges that shaped the young monarch's life and reign. The book, **EFFENDINA: The Story of the Young King Farouk of Egypt, 1920 - 1943**, offers a unique perspective on the king's life, written from the inside by someone who was part of the final dynasty that ruled Egypt since 1805. This historical account provides a nuanced understanding of the king's life, including the medical condition that significantly impacted his personality and the British propaganda that influenced public opinion about Egypt during that period.
Princess Melekper Toussoun's account is a testament to the enduring legacy of the Egyptian monarchy, which, despite its tumultuous history, continues to captivate the imagination of historians and the general public alike. The book's publication is significant not only because of its historical value but also because it challenges the prevailing narrative of King Farouk's rule, which has often been portrayed as tumultuous and misguided. By presenting a more balanced view of the king's life, Princess Melekper Toussoun's biography offers a fresh perspective on the complexities of the Egyptian monarchy and its role in shaping the country's history. As we reflect on the significance of this book, we are reminded of the importance of preserving and sharing our historical heritage, ensuring that future generations can learn from the past and appreciate the complexities of human experience.
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