Editorial Review

To gain a better understanding of contemporary Middle Eastern culture and society, which is steeped in tradition, one should look closely at its history. Bernard Lewis, Professor of Near Eastern studies at Princeton University, considered one of the world's foremost authorities on the Middle East, spans 2000 years of this region's history, searching in the past for answers to questions that will inevitably arise in the future. Read more

Reviews (48)

A good way to fill in the gaps...
I would give this 3.5 stars if that were available.
Good quick guide
I read the post-1914 material first as this is what interests me but the book was pretty easy to read, very short, thought-provoking, well-written, not journalistic or dumbed down or written with American undergraduates in mind. But I still didn't really understand the reasons for the decline of the Islamic world.
Jumbo Shrimp

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Subjects:  1. History    2. History - General History    3. History: World    4. Middle East    5. Middle East - General    6. History / General    7. World history   

Reviews (22)

Has mass-market appeal
Redmond's book is written with mass-market appeal.With an ensemble cast of six women, it reads almost like a novel.If you are looking for a scholarly narrative approach to the subject, however, be advised to search elsewhere.

An encouraging collection of stories depicting the belittling truths of temporarily losing a husband to the military
A Year Of Absence: Six Women's Stories Of Courage, Hope And Love by Jessica Redmond is an inspirational and encouraging collection of stories depicting the belittling truths of temporarily losing a husband to the military. Redmond presents an intimate and acute telling of five women and her own situational distraught, fear, and individual coping in A Year Of Absence that instills the same absence felt into the reader. A Year Of Absence is very highly recommended to all non-specialist readers, particular those women who suffer from a similar disposition or can sympathize with the loss of a loved one.
Easy To Relate
I finished this book in 2 Days! As the wife of a soldier in Iraq, I found it really easy to relate to the women in the story. People who have never been through a deployment might not understand some of the tragedies and triumphs in the book, but those of us who know will find this book encouraging and uplifting. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Army spouses    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Effect of husband's employment on    5. History - General History    6. Iraq War, 2003    7. Middle East - General    8. Military    9. Military - General    10. United States    11. Wives   

Reviews (16)

I relate to this book on so many levels....
I wasn't sure what I would find when I chose this book.But Dr. Ahmed's thoughts on creating her identity and the societal forces that crafted her upbringing are astounding.Her tale of defining herself as a woman, an Egyptian, an Arab, a Muslim, and an American resonated very deeply with me.....

An eye opening account of what it means to be a Muslim
I thought that this book was amazing.I've read many books about Islam but I think that this book actually gave me a sense of what it means to be a Muslim.Sometimes when reading about religions we often only get an overview of the practices and beliefs of a religion but we rarely hear from believers of a particular religion and how they incorporate the beliefs of their religion into their everyday lives.For me, it was also interesting to read about Egypt during the 40's and 50's because it was something I have never studied before.It was interesting to see the religious diversity in Eygpt and how quickly that all changed with the rise of Nasser.Another thing I had never realized that Egyptians practically had the title Arab forced upon them, but most would never otherwise identify themselves as Arab.I think this book really exposed me to a world and a lifestyle that I had never known existed, and I think this is a must read for anyone who is open to seeing a new perspective on their world.

A Border Passage
A Border Passage by Leila Ahmed is an interesting book and definitely worth your time. Within this book Ahmed confront issues of colonialism and differences between the Islam of women and that of men. The story is written as an autobiography as Ahmed recounts her childhood. The juxtaposition of the Egypt and England, where she goes to school, illuminates considerations of post-colonial loss of identity. A book that I strongly recommend for anyone interested in learning more about Islam. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Egypt    5. History    6. Islam - General    7. Middle East - General    8. Muslim women    9. Religious    10. Women    11. Women in Islam    12. Women's Studies - General    13. 20th century    14. Biography & Autobiography    15. Cultural studies    16. History / Modern / 20th Century    17. USA   

Reviews (9)

Cohen's Idea of Pakistan
One criticism of the book is that he mentions how the country was overrun with guns, drugs and afghans after the afghan war but fails to mention who supplied the guns and helped organize the drugs, probably because it was his own country.This is an important issue because afghans drugs and guns are the main reason behind the deteriorating security situation in the country today.
Valuable analysis and predictions
Its written by a seasoned and established scholar on Pakistan. The book, more analytical in its approach in comparison to other recent works on Pakistan, is a policy oriented discourse which is very valuable. Its much better than Steve cohen's other book on India published a few years ago.

A scholarly and insightful work
Cohen forensically describes the Oligarchy that has run Pakistan for its own interests: the Army, the Feudals and the Bureaucracy. This book explains why Pakistan has failed to live up to the lofty ideals of its founders and how it can achive them in the future.
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Subjects:  1. Asia - India & South Asia    2. Asia - Pakistan    3. History & Theory - General    4. History - General History    5. International Relations - General    6. Middle East - General    7. Political Freedom & Security - International Secur    8. Political Science    9. Politics / Current Events    10. Politics/International Relations    11. Pakistan    12. Political science & theory   

Reviews (4)

Thorough, Engaging, Empathetic Must Read of Islamic Studies
Not an outsider's misrepresentation or caricature of this foreign group, 'Hizbu'llah' is an empathetic perspective of theIslamist socio-political-religious worldview.However this bias is not disguised, so the reader is on alert to use discernment and doublecheck its assertions.Though the focus is Hizbu'llah in particular, the book more broadly valuable to understanding the Islamist movement at large, clarifying distinctions and interrelations between Shi'a Islam and Sunni (for instance, different ways of dividing the world: Muslim/nonMuslim or oppressed/oppressors).The writing is engaging, comprehensive, and not vague--specific religious bases are given to explain hostility to Israel, the different types of jihad are detailed, etc.This book has greater global significance than its title portrays.For example,understanding Hizbu'llah's concern for oppressed peoples helps the reader to realize the inroads being made by Hizbu'llah (and thus Iran) in outreach to nonIslamic or at least non-Shi'a groups and nations perceived as oppressed by the West.Furthermore, the Hizbu'llah model serves as an example to recognize when observing the transformation (at least external) of other Islamist groups.(Don't like Hizbu'llah?--this book's still helpful: "know thy enemy.")

Completely biased opinion on Hizbu'llah
I've read several books on this subject, talked to refugees and know many people in the information gathering sector.Had I not known, for example, why Israel invaded Lebanon in 1978 and 1982, Amal's treatment of the subject would have left me with the conclusion that Israel didn't have anything better to do than to aggress its neighbor.She never mentions the reasons why Israel attacked and acutally intimates that Israeli soldiers carried out the Sabra massacre.This book is simply a detailed propoganda instrument for Islam, Iran and Hizbu'llah.
Attempts to be scholarly and politically neutral
Yes, I do think Bernard Lewis is a great scholar.But I do not mind at all that the author disagrees with him on some issues.I am politically liberal, a Pagan, and a Zionist.Still, I did not get angry when I read this book, even though I disagreed with the author on many issues.Amal Saad-Ghorayeb really does examine Hizbu'llah, a Lebanese terrorist organization.And as far as I can tell, she tries very hard to be politically neutral.Unfortunately, she could have done better in that respect.
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Subjects:  1. Hizballah (Lebanon)    2. Islam and politics    3. Israel-Arab Border Conflicts, 1949-    4. Lebanon    5. Middle East - General    6. Political Freedom & Security - International Secur    7. Political Ideologies - Nationalism    8. Political Science    9. Political activity    10. Politics / Current Events    11. Politics/International Relations    12. Shiites    13. Irregular or guerrilla forces & warfare    14. Islam    15. Political Science / International Security    16. Political activism   

Reviews (218)

So good, I almost cried
This book puts a lot of the middle east politics and US politics and policies into a clearer light and is an amazing story of the daughter of the head of the FAA marrying a direct decendent of Mohammad, King Hussein. I really couldn't believe when people like Ted Turner would pop up out of nowhere in this book and show up in Jordan. It's a small world...
A Kept Woman
This is a pretty long autobiography, but Queen Noor has led a pretty interesting life so it makes sense. The story is not simply about her and King Hussein, but her role as a Queen and what she was able to accomplish during her time in Jordan. Although she talks about her husband very lovingly, I didn't `feel' the romance in this story. It wasn't a fairy tale to me - it seemed more as though she was subservient to her husband and that she basically did as she was told. I don't think it was a great as we are led to believe by the media. Thankfully, the focus is mostly on the Middle East region and its struggles. The book was a good way to learn about the region and was a pretty interesting read.

Surprisingly informative...
I had not realized to what extent these memoirs would actually provide a historical, and yes, to some degree, subjective prospective of the crisis in the Middle East.As someone already with an interest in Arab culture, I enjoyed it.(I live in an area possessing the largest Arab population outside of the Middle East, and went to school with many kids from this background.)
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Subjects:  1. 1951-    2. 1952-1999    3. Arab-Israeli conflict    4. Biography    5. Biography & Autobiography    6. Biography / Autobiography    7. Biography/Autobiography    8. Jordan    9. Middle East - General    10. Middle East - History - 20th Century    11. Noor,    12. Politics and government    13. Queen, consort of Hussein, Kin    14. Queens    15. Royalty    16. Women    17. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Editorial Review

The Arab world, writes Palestinian scholar Fouad Ajami, has been beset for years by divisions: religious, social, economic, and political. Many of these divisions came to the fore during the time of the Persian Gulf War, a "foreigners' rescue" in response to Saddam Hussein's attempt to seize Kuwait, which was, Ajami hints, in part a reaction against Iranian designs on the Gulf. Even those Arab intellectuals who supported Allied intervention at the time are now questioning whether it was the best solution to what they believe was a local problem. Ajami writes of the role of some of these intellectuals in shaping the culture of the region, among them the Lebanese writer Khalil Hawi, who committed suicide in the wake of Israel's invasion of his country in 1982. He also examines the terror that religious fundamentalists have been visiting on secular states such as Egypt, "a country with a remarkable record of political stability" that, Ajami believes, will be able to ride out the present storm. Ajami's essays will be most revealing for students of contemporary politics and Arabic history. ... Read more

Reviews (18)

The Failed Awakening

engaging
Perhaps Ajami's best:a legendary (and, for some, inconveniently seminal) text in the field of Middle Eastern studies and Arab psychology.
Obituary for a modernizing generation
The extremism that seems to pervade the Middle East is neither the region's predestined endpoint nor is it a historical inevitability-rather, it is a condition that sprung out from the failure of a great generation of reformers and free-thinkers that lived in the middle of the twentieth century, and whose passing away by the 1990s marked the triumph of theocracy and backwardness in the Middle East.
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Subjects:  1. Arab countries    2. Ethnic Studies - General    3. Intellectuals    4. International Relations - General    5. Middle East - General    6. Nationalism    7. Politics / Current Events    8. Social Science    9. Sociology    10. Asian / Middle Eastern history    11. History / Middle East    12. History of ideas, intellectual history    13. Middle East    14. North Africa   

Reviews (2)

An excellent reference on the Arab-Israeli conflict
This little volume is one of the best books ever written on the Arab-Israeli conflict. It is almost all maps.
Incredible Resource About the Arab-Israeli Conflict
The Arab-Israeli conflict is a fiercely debated topic with numerous accusations constantly being thrown back and forth. For someone just beginning to study the Arab-Israeli conflict, it can be overwhelming. This book is a collection of maps drafted by a professional cartographer to show the real dimensions of treaties, ceasefires, boycotts, and other historical moments in the Arab-Israeli conflict. Read more

Subjects:  1. Atlases - General    2. History    3. History & Theory - General    4. History - General History    5. History: World    6. Middle East - General    7. Asian / Middle Eastern history    8. Atlases    9. Middle East    10. Peace studies    11. Political science & theory    12. Reference / Atlases    13. World history: from c 1900 -   

Reviews (12)

INFORMATIVE, BUT SLOW GOING AT TIMES
Hodgson covers the first few hundred years of Islamic history in this volume.He does not aim to tell about everything that happened, only give us a broad look at the period.Islamic literature, law and customs are all included.
There are better resources out there
Since you're reading about this book, I assume you're interested in a scholarly work, as opposed to "Idiot's Guide" or "___ for Dummies" style.In this case, I recommend that you read instead "The Legacy of Jihad" by Andrew Bostom and Hugh Fitzgerald, a scholarly work that is more comprehensive, better researched, and more objective.I purchased both books, but after reading a few hundred pages of both, I decided to keep "The Legacy of Jihad" and return "The Venture of Islam" to the bookstore.

Outstanding
I bought the 3 volume series of Marshall Hodgson's series on Islamic History after having heard about it in a conference. I count myself lucky that i have it with me. This series is a real gem, a scholarly work which deserves its place among the best of Islamic history books there are. Hodgson did not let his own bias filter through in these books and the result is a very objective and masterly look at Islamic history or 'Islamdom" as Marshall calls it. Definitely worth having this series on your shelves.
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Subjects:  1. History    2. History: World    3. Middle East - General    4. Religion - World Religions    5. World - General    6. History / World    7. Islam   

Subjects:  1. Ancient - Egypt    2. Ancient - General    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History: World    6. Middle East - General    7. African history: BCE to c 500 CE    8. Egypt    9. History / Ancient / General    10. Population & demography   

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - Cultural    2. Archaeology / Anthropology    3. Asia - Japan    4. Business & Economics    5. Corporate Culture    6. Culture    7. Economics - General    8. Japan    9. Social aspects    10. Sociology    11. Technological innovations    12. Technology    13. Technology and civilization    14. Asian / Middle Eastern history: postwar, from c 1945 -    15. Cultural studies    16. Economic history    17. Information technology industries    18. Technology: General Issues   

Reviews (21)

Lenghty Study of the Conflict
This is a solid, and lengthy study of the Arab-Israeli conflict.The reader benefits from the author's inside knowledge of the topic for sure.That said, this is not a short history of the subject.Those seeking that will not find it here.This is primarily a military history.Those seeking more social and political perspectives will not find too much of that here.This is basically a chronogical study of the various Arab-Israeli wars from 1948 to the present.The author does a fine job describing each event in good detail.His inside knowledge provides an authoritative approach to the subject.The narrative is also clearly written and easy to read.There is more than a slight pro-Israeli bias, but it is not distorting.Herzog credits the Arabs on occasion, and reserves his own political views for the most part.He is often much harder on Israeli set-backs than he is on the Arabs.This in itself implies in his bias that more is expected from the IDF than its opponets.For a comprehenive military history of the Arab-Israeli conflict this is a must read.Those seeking a more general approach should look elsewhere.

Detailed book on the military side of the Arab-Israeli conflict
This book offers a detailed look at the tactical and operational level.It does not offer much for the strategic level.Nor does it contain a lot of interviews in the "I was there" mode.This book tells you what this company/battalion/brigade was doing and why.I don't think I am ranting if I say the author tilts towards the Israeli view on events.I read this book exactly for what it offers.There are other books out there for the "big picture".I disagree strongly with a previous reviewer who described the book as tedious.This book can be criticized but not for being tedious.This is the Israeli version of Mellenthin's Panzer Battles and that is how it should be taken.

A Necessary Addition To Any Mid East Library
Former Israeli president Chain Herzog's account of the wars/conflicts between The State of Israel and her Arab neighbors is a riveting history. The book covers almost every Israeli military operation from 1948-2004 (this refers to the most recent version updated by former Israeli Intelligence officer Shlomo Gazit).
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Subjects:  1. Arab-Israeli conflict    2. History    3. History - Military / War    4. History, Military    5. History: World    6. Israel    7. Israel - History    8. Middle East - General    9. Military - General    10. Military History - Modern    11. Armed conflict    12. Asian / Middle Eastern history: from c 1900 -    13. History / Middle East    14. Middle East   

Reviews (33)

Heart Wrenching Story
Since I am a descendant of survivors of the Armenian genocide in Turkey, the story of Vergeen has tremendous meaning to me.The Armenian genocide had forever changed the complexion of my ancestors' lives in both my mother's and father's families.It's a miracle I am here today since both sides of my family witnessed and experienced such atrocities.
The Best Book You Could Ever Purchase
Both my wife and I use Mae Derdarian's book in our college courses, she in her course on Women's Studies, and myself in a course on the Genocide. I am a published author and have published analyses of the genocide in professional academic journals. My wife and I are in personal contact with Derdarian and only can praise the book and its impact on our students.
Quick Read But Not An Easy Subject
I use this book in a HS class I teach on Genocide and Human Behavior.Even though it is taught during the dreaded "senior spring,"once the kids start reading this book, they can not put it down (That should be enough of a testment to read the book).I actually only assign a portion of the text but most of the kids end up finishing the story on their own.Vergeen's story of the Armenian Genocide works for we see the horrors of the "Young Turks" regime through the eyes of a teenager.That being said, it is just as powerful a story for adults.I know there are more famous titles on this subject out there but none more powerful... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography/Autobiography    2. Ethnic Cultures - General    3. Middle East - Turkey    4. Armenia    5. Armenian massacres    6. Armenian massacres, 1915-1923    7. Biography    8. Ethnic Cultures    9. Meghrouni, Virginia    10. Personal narratives    11. Survivors    12. Turkey - History   

Reviews (17)

A fascinating perspective
The authors have tapped into a vastly unknown arena, by seeking out survivors of the century's first genocide.It is a riveting read of testimonies, interwoven with sociological and psychological theory, to explain how the survivors have made it through and coped with the memories, losses and experiences.It is probably the largest collection of testimonies in one publication, and for students of psychology or sociology, it is a must-read.
"Adam" cut-n-pastes his review again..check it out!!!
...so he has posted the same review 7+ times on ANY book about the Armenian Genocide and the Turkish attrocities between 1890 and 1922.He HAS NOT READ any of these books so his reviews are as good as dirt.Please disregard his bogus immature approach.Check out the "All my Reviews" tab and you will see that "Adam" and many others were just sent here to Amazon to flood the gates with bogus reviews of perfectly good works of art.They are pushing Turkish propaganda on a site where literary ctitiscism is needed, not pushing agendas...

Keeps up the memory of the armenian genocide
Personal reports are the best way to silence those who are not ashamed to deny a genocide, even though it is a proven fact.
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Subjects:  1. Europe - Former Soviet Republics    2. History    3. History - General History    4. History: World    5. Middle East - General    6. ASIA    7. Asian / Middle Eastern history    8. European history: from c 1900 -    9. First World War, 1914-1918    10. History / General    11. Inter-war period, 1918-1939    12. Oral history    13. The Holocaust    14. Turkey   

Reviews (2)

Cradle of Islam : The Hijaz and the Quest for an Arabian Identity
The Saudi challenge remains one of Washington's greatest. While nominally a U.S. ally, Saudi princes regularly donate to Al-Qaeda, Hamas, and other terrorist groups. Saudi schools promote Wahhabism, the radical and intolerant interpretation of Islam embraced by Osama bin Laden and the 9-11 hijackers.
Perhaps the source on Hijazi identity in Saudi Arabia...
The Saudi challenge remains one of Washington's greatest. While nominally a U.S. ally, Saudi princes regularly donate to Al-Qaeda, Hamas, and other terrorist groups. Saudi schools promote Wahhabism, the radical and intolerant interpretation of Islam embraced by Osama bin Laden and the 9-11 hijackers.
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Subjects:  1. Discrimination & Racism    2. Ethnic relations    3. Hejaz (Saudi Arabia)    4. History    5. History: World    6. Islam - General    7. Middle East - General    8. Middle East - Saudi Arabia    9. Religion - World Religions    10. Saudi Arabia    11. Asian / Middle Eastern history: from c 1900 -    12. Ethnic studies   

Subjects:  1. History    2. History - General History    3. History: World    4. Islam - General    5. Medieval    6. Middle East - General    7. Women's Studies - History    8. History / Medieval   

Reviews (2)

A Serious Study As To How Hamas Is Able To Survive
Matthew Levitt , Senior Fellow and Director of Terrorism Studies at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and who has served since 2005 as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis at the U.S. Department of Treasury has placed the hot-button issue of Hamas into perspective with his exhaustive exposé Hamas: Politics, Charity, and Terrorism In the Service of Jihad.
Hamas : Politics, Charity, and Terrorism in the Service of Jihad
Hamas's election victory shocked the West."I don't see how you can be a partner for peace if you advocate the destruction of a country as part of your platform," President Bush said at a January 26 news conference after the results were announced. Subsequently,Washington cut off aid money to the new Hamas-dominated government, yet the White House's resolve was not matched elsewhere. Two weeks after the election, Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party feted Hamas political leader Khalid Mishaal, a wanted terrorist. And earlier this month the Swedish government broke European consensus to issue a visa for a Hamas minister to attend a conference calling for the Jewish state's destruction. Moscow has even suggested supplying arms to Hamas.