Selected Product:
| A History of the Modern Middle East
Paperback
Edition: Third Edition
Author: William L. Cleveland
Publisher: Westview Press
Release Date: 2004-07-22
ISBN-10: 0813340489
ISBN-13: 9780813340487
List Price: $45.00
Average Customer Rating:
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Midaq Alley
ISBN-10: 0385264763
ISBN-13: 9780385264761
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The Modern Middle East: A History
ISBN-10: 0195327594
ISBN-13: 9780195327595
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Palestine and the Arab-Israeli Conflict: A History with Documents
ISBN-10: 0312437366
ISBN-13: 9780312437367
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ISBN-10: 0802139361
ISBN-13: 9780802139368
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Sources in the History of the Modern Middle East
ISBN-10: 0395980674
ISBN-13: 9780395980675
List Price:$70.95
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Paperback: 592 pages Publisher: Westview Press; 2nd edition (November 1, 1999) Language: English ISBN: 0813334896 Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.0 x 1.2 inches The Middle East is such a multi-faced region with such a rich historical legacy that even people who strive to be well-informed cannot help but feel bewildered at its cultural, political, and religious complexity. Given the blustering aggressiveness of the post-September 11 U.S. policy toward the region, however, Americans owe it to themselves to become far more familiar with the complexities of the Middle East than has been our wont up to now. Popular magazine articles that attempt to "explain" Islamic rage as the result of a "fear of modernity" or "jealousy of the west's freedoms" may as well bear a stamp proclaiming their authorship by the "Ministry of Propaganda." As an alternative, I recommend Professor Cleveland's textbook, which serves as a brief but remarkably thorough introduction to the history of this volatile part of the world. No, the book does not cover Afghanistan or Pakistan, but clearly political currents in these nations are closely linked with what has transpired in Palestine, Iraq, Syria, Egypt, Lebanon, and the rest of the Middle East proper. At the heart of the current crisis is, of course, the Israeli-Palestinian condundrum, and here the author's explanations and analyses are clear, balanced, and incisive. His discussions of the evolution of Saddam Hussein's Iraq and the background *and consequences* of the 1991 Gulf War are also invaluable. In his recounting of the Iranian revolution, Cleveland offers a fascinating analysis of the apparent Islamicist rejection of "modernity," showing that those in the Middle East who reject the West do not crave a return to the ancient past, but instead wish to follow a modernization pathway that is guided by indigenous cultural principles, including the precepts of Islam. Perhaps most impressive, however, is what Cleveland has to say toward the end of the book regarding the dangers of an overly intrusive and domineering presence in the Islamic Middle East by the lone remaining planetary superpower, the U.S. He does not prophesy the recent terrorism that has afflicted this country, but he does criticize the U.S. for policies that seem to rely more upon aerial bombardment than careful diplomacy. The application of Cleveland's conclusions to a reevaluation of the likely long-term consequences of "America's new war" is not a comforting process, but it's one that perhaps more Americans need to undertake.
detailed
| Customer Rating:  | This book is a very, very detailed overview of the Middle Eastern Europe. It starts of with the first converts of Islam in the first few centuries A.D. but it's main focus is on the more recent history, from the late Middle Ages until now. This way the reader gets a very broad view of the coming of Islam, it's place in the old times and the Ottoman empire and after. It even deals with 9/11 and after, and the spread of Islam around the world.
For me, this work is like a typical history book. It's thick, it isn't hard to read but sometimes a little too detailed. Let's say this is really meant for people who want to understand the dynamics in the Middle East, especially it's political side, not for the reader who wants to be entertained.
As for the validity of the authors arguments, I think those are very convincing. He wants to make the reader aware of the biased topics, gives a well informed opinion on it and let's the reader come to a conclusion.
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Nothing Less than Excellent
| Customer Rating: | Cleveland's history of the Middle East is a superb summary of events that span the time between the formations of the Ottoman Empire and the Gulf War while weaving in the influence of Islam and the challenges of capitalism and imperialism. Cleveland brings his skill as a writer and analysis to bear on explaining the historical basis for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait, and a dozen other conflicts in this volatile region.
Cleveland's presentation of Middle East history is a 5-star work of art and analysis.
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Thorough narrative of Middle East history.
| Customer Rating: | After reading this book I was left with a pretty vivid conception of Middle Eastern politics and society. The author does a good job connecting various events and figures together, which makes conceptualizing a holistic picture much easier than treating them as distinct.
Organizationally, the book was easily navigable by region/chronology. This also contributed to the coherence of the text as I never felt the author was jumping around, but rather moving in a progression.
I also enjoyed the simplicity of the author's language, it was concise and precise. At the same time, the author avoided dry writing, and never managed to lose my interest.
The only thing I felt was missing from this text was the inclusion of more North African countries, which although may not be geographically the "Middle East" still has strong connections to Middle Eastern culture and politics |
Excellent book
| Customer Rating: | | Given that it's only around 480 pages, this is about all the author could possibly cover. Excellent book, and not biased IMO. |
WOW
| Customer Rating: | | for the amount of history that is compacted into this work it still admazes me at how little is left out. the meat is left, and even though the fat gives the taste, it is the meat that we need to live off. for all it is a must read on what the middle east is and why. i require it for all my soldiers who want to make rank. this is a work from the highest of scholary men. |
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