Reviews (4)

Great overview of the Arab culture/mindset
Having been to the Middle East twice, I found this book to be a very good general overview of how to try to "understand Arabs." Nydell keeps things pretty basic and hits all of the important points. Also, this book is very up to date with some data coming within the last year. The commentary towards the end paints a rosy picture of Arabic view of America/the West that I am not sure I completely agree with, but in contrast to some other books, at least Nydell has some facts to back up her statements. I highly recommend this book for anyone travelling to the Middle East for the first time or anyone looking to gain some cultural insight into the Arab mindset.

An accurate and overall understanding of what Arab and Muslim life really is like for millions of men and women
Understanding Arabs: A Guide For Modern Times by Margaret K. Nydell is an impressive, articulate, and thoroughly "reader friendly" study of the culture, national perspectives, and understandings of the Arab and Muslim collective ideals and truths. Enlightening the reader of actualities that reveal both the truths and misconceptions on the part of many Europeans and North Americans, Understanding Arabs presents an accurate and overall understanding of what Arab and Muslim life really is like for millions of men and women. Understanding Arabs is very strongly recommended reading to all westerners for its definitive description of the Arab culture and debunking of the cultural misconceptions held by so many Americans which has resulted such mistrust of a greatly misunderstood and underappreciated Islamic culture.
Indispensable Guide for a Wider Audience
A book that combines scholarship, personal insight, clear and sparkling writing, and human warmth is rare indeed.Margaret Nydell's "Understanding Arabs" is just such a marvel. And this fourth edition serves, as its subtitle promises, as "a guide for modern times", to counterbalance the terror and hatred stemming from the events of September 11, 2001.
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Subjects:  1. Arabs    2. Islamic Studies    3. Middle East - General    4. Social Science    5. Sociology    6. Asian studies    7. Cultural studies    8. Middle East    9. North Africa   

Reviews (77)

A Most Important Book for America's Future
I read a lot of books and this is one of the most important books I've ever read. It is absolutely packed with facts that very few Americans know, facts that will probably contribute to what kind of America will exist in the future. If we continue our slavish, nearly unconditional support for the militaristic policies of Israel's Likud Party it seems likely that we will experience more deadly terrorism and possibly slip into a more authoritarian society. Not the America you've come to know and love.
Important because of who the author is
I have spent a lot of time trying to figure out what is causing the cancer in our society and this book certainly proves a positive-result biopsy.Combined with other books, one comes away with a deeper understanding of the problems faced today by any official trying to do the right thing.
Must-read for all Americans
Don't start reading this book late at night because you won't be able to put it down until you're finished.
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Subjects:  1. American Israel Public Affairs    2. Arab-Israeli conflict    3. Foreign relations    4. International Relations - General    5. Israel    6. Jews    7. Middle East - General    8. Political Science    9. Political activity    10. Politics / Current Events    11. Politics and government    12. Politics/International Relations    13. U.S. - Middle East Relations    14. United States    15. United States - General    16. Zionists    17. International relations    18. Middle East    19. Political Science / International Relations    20. USA   

Editorial Review

Most of the accounts of the Iraq War so far have been, to use the term the war made famous, embedded in one way or another: many officially so with American troops, most others limited--by mobility, interest, or understanding--to the American experience of the conflict. In Read more

Reviews (24)

Ground-based view of a war gone terribly wrong
In mournful yet even tones, Anthony Shadid reports the Iraqi war that many Americans do not see -- the war from the perspective of those on the ground, on whom violence falls, whether from US bombs or sectarian violence. Shadid, an Arab-American reporter for the Washington Post, takes us from the days just before the "Shock and Awe" campaign that signaled the US invasion all the way through the beginning of the insurgency in early 2005. His fluency in Arabic allows him to obtain firsthand accounts of the effect of Saddam's rule as well as the US invasion and occupation that non-Arabic speakers cannot reach. His obvious sympathy with the people he interviews allows him access to the fears and dreams that are ignored in the ready-for-primetime spin that comes from the occupation forces, the media and the insurgents.
A Note of Caution for Those Considering Buying the Audio CD
I read the book and thought it excellent, so I purchased the audio CD for my mother.Unfortunately, after listening to half of NIGHT DRAWS NEAR twice, she gave up on the book.According to her, Shadid read at such a quick clip that he was difficult to follow.After listening to a disc myself, I agree (and remember, I'd read it in book form first.)Because of the complexity of many of his sentences, a listener needs lengthier pauses than Shadid gives one in order to digest and truly appreciate all that has been written.

What's Happening on the Ground
This book is powerful--and distressing.The Arab-American author had spent time as a journalist in Iraq before and after the invasion by Americans and British.His fluency in the people's own language allowed him to speak with people and get first-hand experience of what Iraqis were thinking.
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Subjects:  1. History    2. History - General History    3. History: World    4. International Relations - General    5. Iraq - History    6. Media Studies    7. Middle East - General    8. Military - Iraq War    9. Social History    10. Political Science / Political Freedom & Security / General   

Reviews (116)

Amazing how few know Charlie Wilson!
It's amazing to me how few Americans have even heard of Texas Congressman Charlie Wilson (should I mention he was a Democrat!). I myself only had a vague idea of his role in the financing of the Mujaheddin in Afghanistan during the Soviet occupation. George Crile, III, brings his story, and that of Gust L. Avrakotos, died a few years back at 67, the CIA agent in charge of the largest covert operation in CIA history--the arming of Afghani tribesmen during their 1980s guerrilla war--boldly to life. As entertaining as it is informative, every educated being on the planet should read this book to gain a better understanding of what exactly goes on behind the scenes as one crisis after another shapes the world we live in. Sadly, Mr. Crile died on May 15, 2006, of pancreatic cancer.

Bringing Down the Evil Empire
I, for one, don't believe that history is rewritten.I believe that history is told, either truthfully or not, and told again and again.Everyone who writes history does so with the facts at their disposal, and distance allows for wider views.It is for this reason that I believe Charlie Wilson's War by George Crile may be the best Afghan War history to date.This is the Afghan War pitting the Freedom Fighters against the Red Army and the 80's occupation.This is the Afghan War, financed by joint funds from the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, with weapon arrangements and tactical training as well as strategic planning from the C.I.A.
Entertaining, Historical and Symbolic of our current predicament
This book gives one an excellent historical account of one of the most entertaining and important spy stories of our time. It's almost unbelievable that it's not fiction. It's also particularly relevant as it's directly connected to 9/11 and our current troubles in the Middle East.
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Subjects:  1. Afghanistan    2. American military assistance    3. History    4. History - Military / War    5. History: World    6. Middle East - General    7. Middle East - History    8. Military - Intelligence/Espionage    9. Military - Weapons    10. Military assistance, American    11. Political Freedom & Security - Intelligence    12. Political Freedom & Security - International Secur    13. Political Process - Leadership    14. Secret service    15. Soviet occupation, 1979-1989    16. U.S. Government - Intelligence Agencies    17. Wilson, Charles,   

Subjects:  1. Arab countries    2. Civilization, Arab    3. Ethnic Issues    4. Ethnic Studies - General    5. Islam and politics    6. Islamic Studies    7. Middle East - General    8. Personal Memoirs    9. Religion, Politics & State    10. Social Science    11. Sociology    12. Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs    13. Ethnography    14. Middle East   

Reviews (1)

A One-Stop Collection of Primary Sources
AF Khater's collection "Sources in the History of the Modern Middle East" is a collection of many of the most influential documents in Middle Eastern history. As he writes in his introduction, there is no other collection like it, and as such it is essential for anyone making a serious study of the history of the region. Even were there to be other collections, this would remain the yardstick for quite some time.
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Subjects:  1. History    2. History - General History    3. History: World    4. Middle East - General    5. World - General    6. Asian / Middle Eastern history: from c 1900 -    7. Middle East   

Reviews (3)

This book doesn't live up to the Title
The author shows little respect for Ethiopians in General, numerous instances he describes Ethiopians artifacts as "meager", "dingy" etc. This is unacceptable in my opinion because if your going to write about a place then at least be respectful of the place and the people,the author shows little respect for the overall Culture. Ethiopia has been through many violent episodes in the past so if little fragments of history survive in a tarnished manner take account of the fact that wars are usually unkind to places where wars were fought. I read the intro and noticed the author focused on the Names Aksum which is correct towards one of the ancient name of Ethiopia, also correctly naming Kush a neighboring country north of Ethiopia that impressed me so I bought the book anticipating some quality information. After receiving and reading the first 15 pages the author begins to show his unethusiatic attitutde for Ethiopian History which turned off this reader so I returned my copy and will continue searching for quality unbiased information for Ethiopia.

Be Cautious of the Title
I purchased this book because I was looking for an in-depth study of Ethiopian culture, both past and present.However, it soon became apparent that the book's subtitle "A Cultural and Historical Guide" was somewhat misleading.Rather, Mr. Munro-Hay provides a detailed and scholarly analysis of Ethiopian historical sites.The publisher would have been well-advised to use the subtitle "An Archaeological Survey" instead.If that is what you're looking for, then this book is ideal.But if you want information on contemporary Ethiopian culture, it would be best to look elsewhere.

An explorer's companion
Although not a "tourist guide" this book is a handy reference for anyone with interest in this land.Munro-Hay's subtitle: The Unknown Land provides a clue to the problem he faced in summarizing the history and culture of this ancient country.Known to early Christians as the land of "Prester John," Ethiopia's nearly landlocked location and rugged terrain has made it a challenge to scholars for millennia.Munro-Hay makes an earnest effort to enlighten us on many aspects of Ethiopian history and culture.Rather than provide a surface overview, he divides the country into regions based on ancient kingdoms.It's an effective means of organizing the complex store of research he's brought to the task. Read more

Subjects:  1. Africa - East - Ethiopia    2. Description and travel    3. Ethiopia    4. History    5. History - General History    6. Middle East - General    7. Travel    8. African history    9. African studies    10. Egypt    11. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (8)

A counter to Dr. Bouchard's poor review.
This work was not intended to bring to the forefront a great debate over the Armenian Question, Dr. Bouchard! The purpose of this work is to cover an extensive period of Ottoman history in a small amount of pages, and I think it is presented well. Merely rejecting the words of Dr. Shaw based upon such a narrow, controversial topic as the Armenian Question is not being true to the people who want solid reviews.
Excellent history
Thorough and accurate; a solidly impressive look at a historical area much neglected in the west.
Ugh, painful
Professor Shaw is certainly not starved for thoroughness in presenting the rise and fall of the Ottoman state. But what this text boils down to is something that Herman Melville would have penned had he been a scholar in Turkish history. Piling on fact after fact after fact is not conducive to a worthwhile learning experience. You would need more than two hands to count how many times I flung this text against the wall, and I consider myself to be *very* patient. Luckily, there are alternatives available. Halil Inalcik does a much more lucid job--his book is the one to get. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1918-1960    2. 1960-    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History: World    6. Middle East - General    7. Middle East - Turkey    8. Ottoman Empire, 1288-1918    9. Turkey    10. ASIA    11. Asian / Middle Eastern history    12. History / Middle East    13. Modern period, c 1500 onwards    14. Turkey - History - Ottoman Empire, 1288-1918   

Reviews (10)

Exhaustive and exhausting
The book was informative but overly pedantic.I didn't need to know the arabic name of every player in Iraqi history.My skin crawled every time the author used the word "narrative" (approximately once per paragraph).Examples:"Narratives that had made sense of people's lives in one setting were being overtaken by changed circumstances ...these new developments introduced a new narrative or trajectory into Iraqi political history...Narratives once thought suppressed or hopelessly marginalised could reemerge... ...could thus be confident of determining the narrative of the Iraqi state...a different narrative was unfolding in the armed forces...brought to an end one phase in the narrative of the Iraqi state...but the emerging narratives they seemed to embody were always limited...ignored in the dominant narratives of the Iraqi state...and thus from playing any significant role in a narrative dominated by those who enjoyed the privilege...Saddam Husain and his dictatorship are the manifestations of a particularly potent narrative in the history of the Iraqi state - a narrative in which...it was acknowledged that minor narratives of non-Arab peoples, such as the Kurds, had also figured in the dominant narrative of the Iraqi nation."Could have been better edited.

A nice addition to the literature
There are a number of works that address the history of Iraq as this ought to inform American policy there: Toby Dodge's Inventing Iraq and Liam Anderson's and Gareth Stansfield's The Future of Iraq and Christopher Catherwood's Churchill's Folly come to mind.This is another in this excellent set of works.
This book blew me away and made me smart
I am a college student that knew nothing about Iraq before I read this.Soon after getting through Charles Tripp's text, Iraq immediatelly became clear and approachable and I now find ita much easier country to follow. Anyone who wants to obtain an immediate foundation on Iraq mustn't look any further than Charles Tripp's A History of Iraq.Take a week out of your life to read this thing and you will be much better for it. Also, Peter Sluglett's books are solid too. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1921-    2. Asia - General    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History: World    6. Iraq    7. Middle East - General    8. Asian / Middle Eastern history: from c 1900 -    9. History / Middle East    10. International relations    11. Political structure & processes   

Reviews (2)

Remarkable masterpiece
Murphey should get an astounding applause for his work. There is an incredible appeal that 'drains' you right into the pages of endless original arguments. The Ottoman Devlet (not Empire if you read the book carefully, I borrowed Maksudoglu terms for the Ottoman) finally received afair judgement for their history. The research was acurately done with raredetails, those which never surfaced before, which cleared out any pontlesssubjectivity mostly found on previous studies of the Ottomans. 'The sickman' was made 'sick' in the first place. Best study of Ottoman warfare in print
Rhoads Murphey clears up a lot of mystification brought into the subject by authors who previously relied solely upon Western sources for understanding the Ottoman state. Some, for example, would talk about theOttoman Empire as the perfect military state, designed around conquest, andothers, thinking more of Ottoman decline, of the corruption, inefficiency,and lack of technical skill of their forces. Yet, a study of Ottomanhistory reveals, naturally, that neither of these extremes were true, andthat the Ottomans had to contend with many of the same difficulties,military and administrative, that all of the western European states wereattempting to overcome. For someone who really wants to learn how theOttomans achieved what the did, and failed to achieve some of their moreambitious goals, this book is refreshing in that it teaches rather thanobscures. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 16th century    2. 17th century    3. History    4. History - Military / War    5. History, Military    6. History: World    7. Middle East - General    8. Middle East - Turkey    9. Military - General    10. Military - Other    11. Military art and science    12. Turkey    13. Asian / Middle Eastern history    14. Middle East    15. Other warfare & defence issues    16. World history   

Subjects:  1. 1979-    2. History    3. History - General History    4. History: World    5. International Relations - General    6. Middle East    7. Middle East - General    8. Politics and government    9. Political science & theory   

Reviews (4)

Interesting but not captivating
As part of the epic clash between the great cultures of the world, markedly the West and Islam, Westerners have often discredited Islamic civilization's contribution to the global propagation of paper. In his book Paper Before Print,Jonathan Bloom details Islam's contribution to the proliferation of paper from its birth in China and through to Europe. Bloom's argument that Islamic civilization has a major role in the proliferation of paper is extremely plausible and convincing; however, many of his claims about the artistic and intellectual growth resulting from its proliferation are questionably misguided in that they are inferred from Bloom's own logic rather than compelling historical evidence. Nevertheless, Bloom's book makes an interesting reading experience and is very useful in the study of Middle East history. A history of paper using peoples
Paper Before Print is very iconoclastic.It suggests the European Renaissance is related to declines in a commodity cost (writing material), rather than the birth of now-familiar geniuses and renewed interest in ancient classics. While the scope of the book outlines a complete history of 'cellulose pulp using people' (paper users), the central theme addresses the cultural transmission of technology.Specifically, it describes the transmission of paper making skillsfrom China to Europe via the Muslim Caliphates.Most of the narrative covers the period between 700 and 1200 AD, but ancient and modern detours intrude regularly. This is entirely appropriate, since most readers will have a difficult time giving credence to commodity prices playing any role in European intellectual development.Bloom seems to have decided to zig-zag back and forth across 3 thousand years of history, hoping to keep the 'big picture' in view. A Vast, Illuminating History
Paper Before Print is a glorious achievement from all perspectives: historically, culturally, and as an impeccable model of how books of this sort should be presented (though too often they do not). Jonathan Bloom's text is revealing and intellectually stimulating without alienating the average reader. His premise, though not a popular one -- that the Middle East played a far more important role in refining and introducing paper to the West than is usually acknowledged -- carefully unfolds with unassailable research and arguments. The illustrations, mostly early Islamic texts (700s-1300s), are tastefully selected and compliment the text perfectly. The typography, layout, and presentation are superb. Anyone interested in history, art, and printing will profit from having this book on their shelves. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - India & South Asia    2. General    3. History    4. History - General History    5. Middle East    6. Middle East - General    7. Paper    8. Paper And Woodpulp Industries    9. Science    10. Science/Mathematics    11. History / Middle East   

Reviews (18)

A Must Read
This book is of true worth to anyone interested in sociology, history , art and religion. It offers a unique medeival perspective on many fields of knowledge. It iswell-written and highly organized which makes it highly accessible and apprehendible. Ibn Khaldoun was a great Islamic scholar in the Middle Ages. He uses al Muqqadimah to offer a variety of explanations to social phenomena and historical events. The conclusions he draws are of a high philoshpical value, well-reasoned, and most of which could be efficaciously applied to the modern world. At many instances you will be amazed how this man, who lived centuries ago, knew so much about the modern world we live in. The chapters discussing poetry and magic are especially interesting. This is by no means one of the greates books ever written.

The first work of historiography ever written.
The first work of historiography ever written. ibn Khald�n is the sanest kind of Aristotelian, a Sufi, and a very unique rationalist in that for him, men and djinn coexist. His theory of history is fascinating, and greatly informs my view of the 21st century. For him, the human world is divided into wild people, and civilized people; for him, the Bedouin and the medieval urban Muslim are the two polar extremes. The city people generate wealth, culture, technology, and reason. They lose their moral fiber through decadent living, and become fat, weak, lazy, and sinful. Meanwhile, the wild people are hungry, wiry and pious. They are closer to God because they do not have the distractions the city people do. Eventually, the wild people sack the cities. Their genetic stock fortifies the indolent urban gene pool, their piety reinvigorates the religious life of the city, and their austerity reforms the city. On the other hand, the town people teach reason, science, technology and culture to the wild people, and get them to be less savage and cruel. After a few generations, the invaders and the urbans are indistinguishable from each other, and a new crop of wild people come and sack the cities. This is the cycle of history. Very compelling.

Dated in ways, but nonetheless carries some core truths
You can chisel out the sections on temperature and race, temperature and behavior, for these are silly and offensive.He compares Sub-Saharan Africans as just a hair above dumb animals, and he slams Arabs and Bedouin in other ways.However, his sections on economics and social politics are still valid, and he was a pioneer in areas that other Westerners tend to get credit for.Read more

Subjects:  1. Civilization    2. Early works to 1800    3. General    4. History    5. History - General History    6. History: World    7. Islam - General    8. Middle East - General    9. Philosophy    10. Archaeology and Ancient History    11. History / Middle East    12. History: theory & methods    13. Middle Eastern Studies    14. Mind, Body, Spirit    15. Religion   

Reviews (2)

A world without Jews
For those who wish for a world without Israel or Jews, this is the guide for you. All the land between the Jordan River and Med. Sea is called Palestine, in effect wiping Israel off the map. Iran would be proud!

Rich land and people
Palestine is a thick and juicy travel book. It is rich in the arts, in architecture, in culture. It is a journey through history, through the land and the people of Palestine and Gaza - with an array of visual feasts in Azar's photography.
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Subjects:  1. Gaza Strip    2. History    3. Israel    4. Israel - History    5. Middle East - General    6. Palestine - History    7. Palestinian Arabs    8. Social life and customs    9. Travel    10. Travel - Foreign   

Reviews (2)

Late Ottoman Attempts at Survival
This book boils down to an examination of the aims of the Committe for Union and Progress after the end of the reign of Abd�lhamid and the second constitutional experiment--all of which embody the last ditch efforts to revive the moribund sick man of Europe.As the title connotes, this is done with a particular emphasis on how the CUP/Young Turks viewed the Arab provinces; therefore, issues surrounding the turkification (better: centralization) of the late Ottoman empire and its relation vis a vis nascent Arabism and fading Ottomanism. Great Book
It's really hard to find books about this subject. If you are really interested, i recommend you to read this book.(not: kitab�n t�rk�esi tarih vakf� yay�nlar�ndan �ok daha ucuza temin edilebilir.) ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1909-1918    2. Arab countries    3. Foreign relations    4. History - General History    5. International Relations - General    6. Middle East - General    7. Political Science    8. Politics and government    9. Reference    10. Turkey    11. Asian / Middle Eastern history    12. First World War, 1914-1918    13. History / General    14. History of specific racial & ethnic groups    15. Islamic studies    16. Middle East    17. c 1900 - c 1914