The Thousand Year War in the Mideast: How It Affects You Today

Uncle Eric #9

by Richard J. Maybury

"The Thousand Year War in the Mideast" explains how events on the other side of the world a thousand years ago can affect us more than events in our own hometowns today. The events of the Thousand Year War have been the cause of great shocks to our economy and investment markets, the oil embargoes, the Iranian hostage crisis, the Iraq-Kuwait war, and the Caucasus Wars over the Caspian Sea oil basin. These shocks are likely to remain so for decades to come. Learn about the Russians, Serbs, Croats, the Balkans, Kosovo, the Ottoman and Mongol empires, Turkey, Greece, Iran, Iraq, Indonesia, Russia, Oman, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, Kurdistan, and more. Forewarned is forearmed. You must understand where this war is leading to manage your career, business and investments, as well as to reach an informed opinion regarding U.S. involvement in Mideast affairs.

Can be used for courses in world history, European/Mideast history, international affairs, government, economics, business, finance, and current events. It explains how past events affect current events.

Chapters

1. Terrorism or Retaliation
2. Three Root Causes
3. Muddying the Waters
4. How Many?
5. How Would You React?
6. Three Religions
7. They Think Differently
8. The Lost Civilization
9. The European Attack
10. The Barbary Wars
11. The Ruling Gangs
12. Rich vs. Poor
13. Carving the World
14. U.S. Aid to Soviets
15. The Invicible Secret Weapon
16. Amazing Mystery
17. The Israeli Tragedy
18. Playing One Against the Other
19. The Coming Messiahs
20. The Ultimate Weapon
21. Kill One, Create Ten More
22. High Tech and CBN
23. Loyalty of Russian Troops
24. Loyalty of American Troops
25. Why Die for an Interest?
26. Some Economics of the Thousand Year War
27. Go to High Risk Areas
28. A Small But Revealing Research Project
29. Liberty Not Democracy
30. Summary
31. The Murderous Cycle
32. The New Wars in Chaostan
Appendix
A Brief History of the Iraq-Kuwait War
Chaostan
Loose Cannons
Bibliography and Suggested Readings

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Economics, Politics, Middle East, Education, School

271 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1999

About the author

Richard Maybury, also known as Uncle Eric, is the publisher of U.S. & World Early Warning Report for Investors. He has written several entry level books on United States economics, law, and history from a libertarian perspective. He writes the books in epistolary form, usually as an uncle writing to his nephew, answering questions.

Maybury was a high school economics teacher. After failing to find a book which would give a clear explanation on his view of economics he wrote one himself. Some of his books include Uncle Eric Talks About Personal, Career & Financial Security, Higher Law, Whatever Happened to Penny Candy? and Whatever Happened to Justice? .

Reviews

[Tripleguess · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this years ago. At the time I was very impressed with it and thought that poor Islam was the most maligned and misunderstood religion in the world, and that the Islamic world had been treated very badly by the West, in particular Europe and America.

Now, having learned a bit more about the realities behind the PC image, I have to wonder why the author gives Muslims a free pass for all the bad things they did (and do) -- as though being Muslim and having suffered under the Crusades made them so special that 9/11 was the only reasonable course of action they could be expected to do. Of course it was all right to ram planes full of innocents into buildings full of innocents (including daycares full of little children!), because, you see, the West had done such terrible things in the fourteenth century. After all, Spain was so enchanted with the rule of the Moors that it spent centuries kicking them out.

Oh. Right. The Moors invaded Spain, just as Muslim forces conquered much of North Africa and the decaying remains of the Byzantine empire, wiping out Christianity on two continents. They were brutal, unwanted invaders, not wonderful visitors bearing enlightenment, and the Crusades were at least in part an effort at self-defense by what remained of the Christian world. How ungrateful of the Spanish to resent being beaten and raped into submission.

In retrospect I also find it annoying that the author paints the Muslim penchant for holding grudges in such a holy light. "They think nothing of spending decades plotting revenge."

And this is a good thing? What a waste of time and talent! Christianity teaches that God is the only one allowed to take revenge and that we are to forgive our enemies. This allows us to move on from the painful past without dragging grudge-carcasses behind us. Yes, there will be scars and bad memories, but they are not the end. In contrast, the author apparently thinks it is okay for Muslims to do bad things because "bad things have been done to them," although some of those "bad things" include conquered peoples reasserting themselves, target countries successfully repelling Muslim navies, and foreigners beating them at their own game -- conquest.

In short, if you read this, you should also read a couple of good history books and then spend some time thinking about the disparities between them and this title. For example, read about the Siege of Malta in 1565, the Battle of Lepanto, and the battle of September 11, 1683. (Does that date sound familiar?) Read Walid Shoebat's account of why he left the cause of Islamic terrorism. This book heavily favors the Muslim viewpoint without honestly explaining what it is.

I recycled my once-read copy because I did not want to be part of passing on such a flawed ideology.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

LIke Maybury's other books, he doesn't intend to be objective, and he tries to add a perspective much needed. However, he cherrypicks something awful and rewrites things he wishes weren't so. Sigh. Still good for getting teens to think about things in new ways, but oh, do tell your teens that the "Barbary Pirates" did NOT only attack ships in the Gulf of Sidra! Maybury makes it sound like we picked on these nice little guys who only wanted to charge people for sailing in their own nice territorial waters. The thing is, they considered the entire Mediterranean their backyard pool. :-) So Maybury deserves kudos for showing us things aren't always as they seem--but we need to remember this also when reading Maybury and considering his arguments as well.

[Terri Buckingham · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read most of Richard Maybury’s books, and they influenced my finances significantly during the times I was investing in the markets. But my goal is no longer to store up earthly treasure. I am building for the heavenly reward. And while I do not know whether his perspective on history is perfectly accurate, I think it’s compelling and striking and startling. I met Mr Maybury in person several years ago, and I found him to be completely genuine and sincere. A fine person. I think people should at least give this book and his others a try. Try his perspective on for size. It may well be spot on. He writes on topics that matter in forming an accurate worldview.

[Concetta Kellough · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can be read as a standalone but is in a series of 11. I am on the last book of the series and have learned a lot throughout the series. This particular book is very interesting but I don't always agree with Mr. Maybury. He seems to think the Muslims have been picked on (I'm sure some of the time) and that is why they have attacked different nations (once again, I'm sure some of the time). The one's who do the violence he attributes to craziness instead of their religion. Maybe some are crazy, but I think some are due to their religious beliefs.

[Abigail N · Rating 3 out of 5]

It would have been good had I not been annoyed by all his negative comments on the Crusades and European history. Sure, the Muslims deserve more recognition, but that doesn't mean you have to demean Europeans! We're all human sinners.

Overall, this was a good, eye-opening book.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing history lesson!

[Daniel Shaver · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book but it jumped all over the place and had a good amount of fluff. This is definitely my least favorite of Richard Maybury's books.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was the beginning of a new path I began to walk. It opened my eyes to seeing what was going on in the world through eyes other than my own - which were tuned to the news and only the present circumstances. This is an invaluable, easy to comprehend book about the history of where we are in our dealings with the Mideast today. In the back is research information dealing with the political systems of all countries from that area. This is filled with great quotations from our founding fathers that we are suffering today from not following. I love these ideas which he uses in all his books:

No writers can be objective. In doing research, his viewpoint will determine which facts are more important than those that are less important - and will be based on a writer's sense of right and wrong.
"If it isn't math, physics, chemistry or biology, it's editorial."

He also believes that nothing is too hard for anyone to understand. If you don't understand something - it's because the teacher didn't explain it well enough. He proves that. He takes very difficult, far reaching topics and writes them so even I can get it. :)

He has 11 books. I want to read them all.

[Dawn Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am torn about this book. Most of what Maybury does, he does very well. And I would say that about 80% of this book. However, as an apparently a-religious person, he accurately observes that religion and politics are the same thing in the Middle East; but then he shows no interest in deeply understanding the beliefs of the world's major religions. He claims that the Jews who founded Israel were ignorant about Islam. He also believes that if the West simply leaves Islam alone, they won't be bothered. I would certainly be willing to try and see, but he totally ignores the reality of Jihad. This book was interesting because it was published in 1999, so it is pre-9/11. He focuses much on the Balkans and on Saddam Hussein. Many of his predictions have come to pass, and in general he delivers good insight on the socio-economic history of the Islamic world and its interaction with the West. His most dire predictions, though, are about oil at $100/barrel and gasoline at $2/gallon. Living with even higher prices than that in 2014, I would love for him to update this book with his thoughts on our 21st century activity in Iraq and Afghanistan, and aftermath of the Arab Spring.

[Celeste Batchelor · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is my least favorite Richard Maybury book so far. Generally I love what he has to say. My biggest complaint about this book is the author's complete lack of judging the Mideast from a "right" and "wrong" point of view. He only judges from what Arabs think and feel.

I have a hard time with anyone doing that for any reason. Everything is either right or wrong. It can't be kind of right because they feel cheated. Or, kind of right because they have a long history of violence. It just doesn't ring true with me.

[Beverli Haroldsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and eye opening. He tells the story from a non-eurocentric viewpoint. He's not anti-American, but definitely anti-some decisions and actions of the government, along the lines of George Washington's advice in his farewell address, "Friendly relations with all, entangling alliances with none."

[Jeanette Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Using this for part of World History class next year. Maybury is
open with his viewpoint as a libertarian, but he presents the information
clearly. I think this is an excellent starting point for learning about the
Middle East.

[Bobby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall the book is ok, but it is strange now to read a book warning against an Iraq invasion and what would happen after Saddam Hussein. More people should have read this before 2003.

[Delona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great one. This one, however, was written in 1999 so I wish he would update it with current info.

[Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Someone loaned this to me. I wish I could remember who.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye-opening description about the consequences of our foreign policy and in contrast how our government should behave in the world.

[Tami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great "Uncle Eric" book. This was a very informative explanation of war 1000 years ago and how it has been the reason for every since.

[Marc Rocket · Rating 5 out of 5]

One oft favorite books. It should be required reading for every high schooler.

[Shannon Dillman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book. Bought it for homeschooling and I loved it.

[Lisa]

I can not say enough positive things about this book. A must read for everyone. The best history & political book ever.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jacob read
Ellie read y11...krb 5/12/25

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I think this was excellent in providing a "look at the world" from another viewpoint, a couple of things bothered me.
Other than one paragraph about Mosley being spread with "conversion by the sword", he has almost zero criticism of Moslems. He even says that their spreading and conquering Spain, etc was just some result of people being people and they were affected by political power. Instead of discussing why he goes straight to saying they are just like Christians in that manner, and it was really Europe's fault, anyway.

He does not have a good understanding of true Christianity, and does not differentiate between a state that has adopted a form of Christianity as it's state religion, and true Christian believers. He lumps all of Europe into "Christianity " when it is quite obvious that no matter what they say, most of those people were not followers of Christ.
Basically, the Moslem world was all good and peaceful, except for a few bad apples that acted like Europeans. Eh....seems a bit revisionist.
However, from a perspective of understanding the thousand years of conflict between Europe, Asia and the Middle East (and northern Africa) this was an excellent read. It also was very eye opening as far as the United States' role in the conflicts, how our mindset differs from theirs, etc. The book was written in 1998, and I found it prophetic in his thoughts about Iran, Sadam Hussein, and why we should not be involved in that part of the world.