The Middle East: A Brief History

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Home World A brief history of the Middle East. Simulation hypothesis, are we living in a computer simulation. The true history of humans in North America. Please enter your comment! For example, his analysis of The Gulf War with Iraq leads to the conclusion that international conflicts can be resolved, but that governance will be left to the people of the nation. That was the case in , but definitely not the case in They can be appreciated for what they were in the s, but the world is far too different for those conclusions to be accepted or viable.

I enjoyed Lewis's analysis of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam based on their founding prophets. Moses did not enter the Promised Land and Jesus and the early Christians were under persecution. However, Muhammad founded a religion, established a kingdom, and was alive while it flourished. The experience of the founding prophets shaped the outlook of the adherents.

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This is sheer conjecture, but he also posited the hypothesis that Muslim expansion stopped at India in the East and Spain in the West because pigs lived in those places. He admits it is conjecture; still fascinating. The book is an engrossing and fulfilling read of Middle Eastern history. If anything, it is slightly incomplete. The chapter on statecraft is riveting and with important consequences for the contemporary world. I will seek out other books by Bernard Lewis if anyone has any recommendations. I would recommend reading this book by Lewis first before getting into any other of his more specific works.

This was informative and engaging. It provided a readable summary without seeming to abridge more than necessary. It was published in , and its view of the Middle East is from an educated but still Western perspective in a pre world. It would certainly be valuable to read a history of the Middle East by a Middle Eastern historian, and I am definitely considering reading a more modern follow-up. Considering this book's limits, however, I would recommend it for anyone interested in learni This was informative and engaging.

Considering this book's limits, however, I would recommend it for anyone interested in learning more about Middle Eastern history. Feb 09, Bob rated it liked it Shelves: This book is a useful survey of the history and cultural institutions of the Middle East. Lewis goes back before the rise of Islam to look at the civilizations and religious systems that antedated Islam including Rome, Greece, Persia and Egypt and Judaism and Zoroastrianism, as well as nascent Christianity.

He delineates the rise of Islam and the clashes both with the west and invading peoples from the Steppes and Mongolia. He also details the rise, greatness, and protracted decline of the Ottom This book is a useful survey of the history and cultural institutions of the Middle East. He also details the rise, greatness, and protracted decline of the Ottoman empire for me one of the most interesting and least understood aspects of this history and then the more contemporary history of Western colonialism, post World War 1 settlements, the Palestinian question and various nationalist and revolutionary movements.

The history is interrupted by a section on the various cultural institutions shaping Middle Eastern life through history including State, Economy, Elites, Commonalty, Religion and Law. Two shortcomings which may be the consequence of space and time. Space perhaps limited the discussion of the inner life and worldview of the cultures making up the Middle East.

This felt like very "objective" history. The second was a limitation of time. The book was written in and lacked the prescience understandable to anticipate the Bush II interventions into Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Middle East

Lewis thought our interventions would be limited to defending our own interests but not extend to attempting "nation building". Nor did he anticipate terrorist organizations with global reach. What he did anticipate was the "Arab spring" phenomenon of this past year. All in all, a helpful treatment but not perhaps my "go to" source on the Middle East.

This was a wonderfully written book by the great author and historian Bernard Lewis.

A Brief History of the Middle East by Christopher Catherwood

Having in mind the period covered starting from the ancient middle East ending by the year , I would consider this book very comprehensive. As the author mentioned in the beginning of the book, there was a reasonable highlight on the ancient middle East before Christianity and Islam, and a very detailed and interesting emphasis and analysis of the social cultural aspects of the region's history. The bulk of th This was a wonderfully written book by the great author and historian Bernard Lewis. The bulk of the book will of course cover the Islamic portion of the region's history having it the dominant religion and civilization in the area for the last fourteen centuries.

As I mentioned, various aspects are analyzed covering culture, religion, state, economics, population intellectual nature all in great talent displaying real knowledge of the subject. Change, the need for it, the challenge from inside and outside, the actual process and results are all discussed in equal knowledge and talent. I could consider the author presenting his opinions in a fair manner according to what he believes and has researched in such a detailed and even sensitive subject in human history.

This book is a high recommendation to readers interested in the subject looking for a comprehensive book and experienced knowledgeable author. Aug 21, Justin Evans rated it liked it Shelves: Too much for my taste on the twentieth century, and not enough on the pre-Ottoman world, but that can be forgiven. The slightly oily feeling I got reading the last few chapters, however, cannot: Lewis seems to know an awful lot about the middle east, but, as with many biographers, all that knowledge seems to have made him less, rather than more, keen.

The take-away of the last half of the book seems to be "if only they'd act more like Americans! Only then will they be able to re-take their rightful place at the bottom of the world's food chain. That weirdness aside, the first half is very readable and interesting, the second half intermittently interesting and very repetitive.

But this book really tries to cover far too much, too quickly. There's no need for chapters about generic processes of modernization "And then we gave the Arabs newspapers! And then we gave them coffee! And then we gave them Sep 21, Bill Sleeman rated it did not like it Shelves: Oct 23, Dale rated it really liked it. Don't get me wrong - I am came to this book as a true fan of Bernard Lewis. His book Crisis of Islam was one of the more thought-provoking books I read last year. However, this book is quite different than 'Crisis'. It's scope is massive, and it is a history book rather than a work of examination and informed conjecture.

Lewis addresses these shortcomings in his introduction and admits that it will be a difficult undertaking to years in pages - A great effort but somewhat unsatisfying. Lewis addresses these shortcomings in his introduction and admits that it will be a difficult undertaking to do it well. He acknowledges that whatever format he chooses to cover this history, it will be unsatisfying for some.

I give him credit for doing it well, but not as great as the other books and articles of his that I've read.

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The book is broken up into three general sections. The first is a general overview of the Middle East over the last 2, years Apr 25, Karim rated it really liked it. A great and comprehensive introduction to Middle Eastern history. It is obvious the Bernard Lewis is a great historian and explains history, as well as culture, cleanly and accurately. To be fair, his opinions tend to leak into his historical narrations. Opinions and viewpoints seen in his Atlantic article "The Roots of Muslim Rage" color his explanations for historical phenomenon.

This may frustrate those that disagree with him. But it does not distract the reader from the history at hand and se A great and comprehensive introduction to Middle Eastern history. But it does not distract the reader from the history at hand and serves more to provoke thought rather than persuade. Especially the 'brief' - in that it covers a region with so much history over a period of time not less than 2, years The exceptional quality is in the viewpoint. It is not possible to document history without some measure of bias - both perceived and actual.

History varies not by fact but by version. As he states in the introduction: When he references another work, he typically summarizes the generally accepted perceptions of the author's bias.

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He typically includes alternative written perspectives and he continually reminds the reader of the inherent difference in perceptions based on world view. When he has an opinion - he is clear to make it an opinion statement: Rembering that it is not possible. Even if it were possible to be unerring in facts, it would certainly not be 'brief' and it could not be possible in perspectives. No one can change their personal history, experiences, education, knowledge, affilations etc. He continually notes areas of contention - of his own or among others.

While worthy reading for ademics - it is written for a general audience - but accessible to all. One need not have studied history, religion, politics or the region. While not a primary source, it is a 'brief' as possible cohesive, comprehensive amalgamation of the many volumes of history and commentary on the region - significantly abridged of course. I highly recommend this as a summary perspective on the Middle East to anyone wishing they could understand what-in-the-world is going on 'over there' i.

This is a great primer for those of us who simply 'weren't paying attention' in the second half of the 20th century. To be fair - it is unlikely that this region was given much attention in our history classes, nor were events here given much news coverage. The "Middle East' was relatively unimportant - news was of the cold war, the economy and local politics filled the news.

This book provides an excellent foundation to understand the current events that dominate front page news today. I put this number one as the 'best' book for any Western ex-pats living in the area. The more I learn of our collective ignorance - the more I wish it or some such equivalent were required reading! This brief history provides a foundation to understanding the many and complex factors, history, politics, geography, tradition, relgion and most important - the very different worldview. Westerners myself first tend to look at everything thriough the glasses of our own understanding - and thus it is easy to disparage and difficult to appreciate the strong culture, traditions, values and way of life that is so different from our own.

Regarding Catherwood's style, I find two things particularly refreshing: His history does not claim to be accurate by appeals to authority, nor does it dispute opinions ad hominem. He explores research critically based on merit rather than personal agreement or contention with the author. At the same time, he is ever mindful of politics and personality and notes where personal perspective may be influencing results.

More than once - he agrees with a source on one matter and disagrees on another. Everything Bernard Lewis has to say is not gospel, nor is it all rejected as biased. Abraham, Jesus and Muhammed. This is not only refreshing - but particularly relevent in telling the history of the area that birthed the three religions. He objectively reports the history as detailed in religious books i. The Torah, The Bible, The Quran He notes where, when and if there are outside sources or evidence to support the people or events documented in the religious books. He does not try to prove or disprove the beliefs.

As an admittedly provoking note to secular readers. Don't allow the open mind of the author to disuade you. The book is entirely academic. The author, is a well respected historian, a Fellow of the Royal Historical society among other honors. Check out his bio. Perhaps Catherwood would question the ignorance of secularists rejecting belief systems without proof to the same degree as many secularists reject theories that allow for the existance of God - without disproof. But, it is MY note that I am refreshed to see the belief systems of billions of people unquestioned and their intellect unassailed.

Oct 24, Zoe rated it did not like it. What a genuine piece of trash. Lost me when he quoted Bono as a source of evidence for the divinity of Jesus Christ. I came here for a succinct and impartial insight into the Middle East from past to present, instead receiving sloppily written Christian propaganda.

Interesting read but the author assumed the reader had knowledge that not everyone has. The basic facts are there but there has to be a book that gives a good overview of the Middle East that's better written and more clearly laid out.

History of the Middle East

The author and his copyeditor if there was one--I would never let a manuscript go to press looking like this need lessons in such basic matters as concision, dangling modifers, and comma usage. He spends three pages debating under which pharaoh exactly Moses led the Israelites from slavery, a pointless and unanswerable question and Not recommended. He spends three pages debating under which pharaoh exactly Moses led the Israelites from slavery, a pointless and unanswerable question and surely not worth this much space in this sort of book, where there is so much ground to be covered.

And there's no excuse for sentences like this: No matter how matter times I read that sentence, I can't be sure what "this" is supposed to be, and the lack of clear pronoun reference renders the meaning opaque and ambiguous. That sentence I understand, at least, but that dangling participle at the beginning annoys the hell out of me.

Nov 15, Cheryl rated it really liked it Shelves: