Jonathan Fenby

Former editor of the Observer Jonathan Fenby argues that the world we know today was shaped in 13 pivotal months between 1947 and 1948.

Fenby says these 13 months saw the opening of the Cold War, the beginning of the demise of the British Empire with the birth of republics in India and Pakistan, the fight for freedom from colonial rule in Vietnam, Indonesia and others, the creation of the state of Israel, the flight of Palestinian refugees, the first Arab-Israeli war, the victory of Communist armies in China, arrival of apartheid in South Africa, division of Korea, major technological change and the rolling-out of the welfare state. Fenby explains how a cast of historic characters forged the modern world from Truman, Marshall and Stalin to Attlee, Bevin, de Gaulle, Mao Zedong and Bun Gurion.

Fenby is a former editor of the Observer and the South China Morning Post. He is author of several books including On the Brink: The Trouble with France and Generalissimo: Chiang Kai-Shek and the China he Lost. He was awarded the Chevalier of the Légion d’Honneur for his contribution to understanding between Britain and France.