With the continuing flurry of news concerning the Middle East, there is a great need for an easy-to-follow reference to the region and its people. The Everything® Middle East Book is an up-to-date guide to to the rich history, heritage, and cultures of the area of the world known as the "cradle of civilization." Designed with the average Westerner in mind, this compelling book takes an objective look at the history of the Middle East as a means for providing insights into the long history of discord that continues today. Chapters cover the ethnicities and languages, the politics of religion, and the origins of Islamic militancy. This authoritative and objective work · The countries and geography of the Middle East · The first civilizations and the rise of empires · Early Islam and the lasting effects of European colonization · The roots of the Israeli and Palestinian conflict · America’s war against terrorism and Iraq Packed with straightforward information and fascinating insights, The Everything® Middle East Book is a must-read for anyone interested in following the headlines.
A little bit of everything in the middle-east - a liberal dosage of ancient history plus coverage of all the countries in the region. Enlightening and yet fun to read.
After seventy years of listening to the news and hearing the names of people and places that have affected the world, reading this book gave me a much better understanding of the Middle East. The author does a good job of presenting the history, conflicts, religions, and people in a way that is easy to read, although I highly recommend having a good atlas at your side as reference. It didn't change my perception, but it did give me much better grounding for my beliefs. Well done.