Now celebrating its fiftieth anniversary, the middle east. Any of the novels by egyptian nobel laureate naguib mahfouz. A western dependence on middle eastern oil and the decline of british influence led to a growing american interest in the region. An online book developed by the department of history at the university of calgary. Popular middle east history books goodreads share book. It is also known as the home of three major world religions. The 17 best books on world war i of 2020 thoughtco.
Here are just a few book recommendations to give you a. If you want something a little more nuanced is a history of the arab peoples by albert hourani or a history of modern iran by ervand abrahamanian. Haltingly, he read out the prepared statement acknowledging his past mistakes. Top ten books for beginners on the middle east the conflict. The causes and legacy of the iranian revolution of 1979. A list of new middle east history books you should read in 2020, such as crusaders, black wave, the caravan and jewish morocco. A superbly written analysis of the social and political disruptions of the middle east. The cities of salt trilogy by abdulrahman munif, about the coming of the oil industry to an unnamed country thats an awful lot like saudi arabia. Discover the best middle east history in best sellers.
The new middle east by paul danahar, the muslim brotherhood. The written history of afghanistan can be traced back to around 500 bce when the area was under the achaemenid empire. Here are just a few book recommendations to give you a headstart on middle eastern history. Lets take it to include the arab world including north africa, israel, turkey and iran, since these countries all have an inte. What are some good books to read and understand the history. The high antiquity of civilization in the middle east is largely due to the existence of convenient land bridges and easy sea lanes passable in summer or winter, in.
It is hard to recommend this book as a good introduction to this topic, as my knowledge of the history of the middle east is so limited that really, as long as he mentioned iraq, persia, egypt and some stuff about islam he could have probably told me anything and id have been none the wiser. Ancient middle east historical region, asia britannica. Most people agree that the history of the civilizations of the middle east is the oldest known history in the world. Islamic history in arabia and middle east a wellwritten survey, organized according to dynasty. The following is her top 15 book choices written by authors from the middle east region. Economically, the middle east is known for its vast oil reserves.
Books if you love rumi, these middle eastern poets are a must read. Not a book focused on europe, but on how europeans destroyed the old middle east ern order and failed to replace it with stability. Middle east history middle east thus defined it includes cyprus, the asian part of turkey, syria, lebanon, israel, the west bank and gaza, jordan, iraq, iran, the countries of the arabian peninsula saudi arabia, yemen, oman, united arab emirates, qatar, bahrain, kuwait, and egypt and libya. A western dependence on middle eastern oil and the decline of british influence led to a. The struggle for mastery in the middle east, 17891923 by efraim karsh, inari karsh empires of the sand presents the diplomatic and military history of the middle east, beginning with frances egyptian campaigns during which napoleon startled. Located in washington, dc and shipping everywhere, we have a huge selection of nonfiction, literature, dvds, pottery, olive oil, and more from palestine. Saladin 17181193 was a muslim military and political leader who as sultan or leader led islamic forces during the crusades. The middle east is a balanced, informative, and politically neutral guide that helps readers understand the complex and controversial issues that influence the volatile middle east. In a sixpart series, the middle east and the west, a troubled history, npr s mike shuster examines the nearly 1,000year history of western involvement in the middle east. This is a good english language book on the other side of the war. Over recent years, middle eastern literature has been making great strides in the international book market, with many authors and works receiving widespread attention and praise. Written by barry rubin, a leading historian of the middle east, the book is based around six major themes. It is effectively organized and does a fairly balance view of the various religions that have arisen in the area. But as such, it is also forcibly a history of the middle easts most powerful economic and political engine of the 20th century.
Dec 04, 2012 a history of the modern middle east is a comprehensive work integrating social, cultural, and economic developments into a single, expertly crafted account. The fall of the ottoman empire and the creation of the modern middle east by david fromki. Film rushes of this moment show a monarch, clearly uneasy with the situation, being handed a script with barely time to scan it. This time, with the advice and help of karl yambert, our editor, we have pruned our account wherever we could, even as new events and trends had to be added. Albert hourani, a history of the arab peoples, middle east, book source. What are some of the best books on middle eastern history. Fourth edition the definitive history of the middle east, thoroughly revised and updated the best overall survey of the politics. A brief history of the middle east by christopher catherwood. If you want really general, goldschidmt is very good, as is a history of the modern middle east by william l cleveland and martin bunton. English food is famous for fish and chips, italian food is known for its amazing pasta dishes, and the middle east is famous for hummus. What are some good historical novels on the middle east. Six days that shook the middle east history under attack. List of books and articles about middle east history online.
And thats exactly whats happening in the middle east. Mar 01, 2012 i found this summarization of arab history online. It talks about the ancient empires of middle eastern civilization all the way to the arab immigration to europe and raise of isis and other extremist groups. This book does a good job giving a history of the middle east. The authors of a concise history of the middle east have done a fantastic job in putting together this easy to read and follow volume. The ancient romans were staunch believers in the powers of amulets, pendants and other good luck charms, but few talismans are as unusual as the tintinnabulum. This book is a stepping stone into a deeper series of studies and is useful for helping the reader to see what they are really interested in. Robert fisk, pity the nation middle east master robert fisk tackles the 19751990 lebanese civil war in an award winning book, now the definitive source on the conflict thanks to meticulous. Largely political history of the muslim world until 1600. The book lives up to its title and reputation as just about the best onevolume introduction to the history of islam. Because of its economic, religious, and geographical location, the middle east has been at the center of many world issues and political affairs. For the uninitiated, middle east history is longspanning and complicated.
The ninth edition of the middle east starts with an. Middle east category history of afghanistan wikipedia, 2014 afghanistan meaning land of the afghans has been a strategically important location throughout history. The people of the middle east may be divided over what is good for them, but they are no longer afraid to issue their demands in the streets and violently, if necessary. I asked sumaiyya to share with us her top recommended books from the middle east. Middle east books and more books, pottery, olive oil. Maps can be a powerful tool for understanding the world, particularly the middle east, a. With a wealth of history, the middle east has been the star of many books. List of books and articles about middle east history. If you want something a little more nuanced is a history of the arab peoples by albert hourani or a. A history has long been the standard introductory textbook in the field of middle eastern history. By 200 ce it was to be found throughout both the roman and parthian empires, and even on a. Above all, christianity was born in judaea and galillee, and began spreading around the middle east from after 30 ce. The middle east at this period was a region of religious change.
Yergins conversational style is a good fit whether hes explaining opecs imperium on western economies or the first hints of peak oil theory. Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. In his most recent book veteran middle east expert charles glass combines reportage, analysis and history to provide an accessible overview of the origins and permutations defining the conflict. Ancient middle east, history of the region from prehistoric times to the rise of civilizations in mesopotamia, egypt, and other areas. Its a history of oil on all continents, not just the middle east. The history of the first world war by david stevenson. The saudiiranian rivalry has become a fight over influence, and the whole region is a battlefield. A history of western disorder in arab lands by jeremy salt this is a little more in depth, and offers insights as to why the middle east is currently in such turmoil. The subject is getting more attention now, but this book was previously hailed as the best.
Here are 40 maps crucial for understanding the middle east its history, its present, and some of the most important stories in the region today. Countless western researchers and journalists have taken this region under their wings, dedicating their lives to report on events and wars taking place. But, of course, theres a lot more to all the worlds cuisines. A history of the modern middle east is a comprehensive work integrating social, cultural, and economic developments into a single, expertly crafted account. Studying history is essential for good citizenship and moral understanding. This book does a good job of summarizing the history of the middle east in a small and compressed manner. I loved this list and found so many great book recommendations i cant wait to get a hold of some of these gems. The history of the modern middle east has been written on the basis of a variety of sources. While coffee may have been around for more than a thousand years, it has only become ubiquitous in its use in the last few centuries. Beginning about 11,000 years ago in some of the worlds oldest cities like catal huyak, jericho and ur, the people that make up this region began to use agriculture to make living easier and safer than during their hunting and gathering age. What are the origins of the syrian crisis, and why did no one do anything to stop it. Coffee is the second most traded commodity in the world.
The 98 best middle east history books recommended by sam sanders, joshua landis, marina amaral, michael dickson and bodour al qasimi. Jul 18, 20 ive included both palestinian and israeli works. Aug 01, 20 the people of the middle east may be divided over what is good for them, but they are no longer afraid to issue their demands in the streets and violently, if necessary. Jan 06, 2015 the cities of salt trilogy by abdulrahman munif, about the coming of the oil industry to an unnamed country thats an awful lot like saudi arabia. Pages in category history books about the middle east the following 12 pages are in this category, out of 12 total. Summary of middle east history and problems this is it. So, reading or studying these middle eastern history books will help.
What are some good books to read and understand the. New mystery religions such as mithraism were spreading in the region. But as such, it is also forcibly a history of the middle east s most powerful economic and political engine of the 20th century. But you need to understand the preisrael history thoroughly first. Neither overly scholarly nor espousing a particular point of view, this book is an evenhanded treatment that provides an excellent grounding in the region. In his most recent book veteran middle east expert charles glass combines reportage, analysis and history to provide an accessible overview of the origins and permutations defining the conflict, situating it clearly in the overall crisis of the region. Middle east history 5 books you must read why to read.
A turning point in the history of the middle east came when oil was discovered, first in persia in 1908 and later in saudi arabia in 1938 and the other persian gulf states, and also in libya and algeria. An amazing introduction to israel, this book offers a definitive account of the nations past, its often controversial present, and much more. A history of western disorder in arab lands by jeremy salt this is a little more in depth, and offers insights as. So below you will find the most popular and widely recognized middle eastern dishes and their. A history of the middle east by peter mansfield this book offers a good overview by a very well respected historian. However, there are details that are inaccurate and do have a simplified analysis. The book traces middle east history from before the advent of islam during the medieval era, all the way to turbulent modern times. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Lets take it to include the arab world including north africa, israel, turkey and iran, since these countries all have an interrelated history. It is the most comprehensive onevolume treatment of middle eastern history from the rise of islam to the present time now available, featuring full coverage of the central and peripheral middle east. Modern history of the middle east with a focus on political history. This is a guide to resources available on the www for those interested in middle east culture and history.
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