Discovering World Cultures, The Middle East

: Discovering World Cultures: The Middle East (Volume 4, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria) (Middle School Reference) [Hardcover]

Book Description

Publication Date: April 30, 2004 | ISBN-10: 0313329265 | ISBN-13: 978-0313329265

At a time when the turmoil and conflict in the Middle East dominates world news, students need to develop an understanding of the people and culture of this region. This five-volume set, part of the Discovering World Cultures series, examines geographical, historical, economic, and cultural issues in 16 Middle Eastern countries. For each nation, information about people groups, natural resources and geography, economy, and religion is included. A section on everyday life considers education, leisure activities, dress, holidays, the arts, and food, including sample recipes. Tables, charts, illustrations, timelines, and fact sheets provide visual references to support the written material.

Volume 1: Bahrain, Cyprus, Egypt

Volume 2: Iran, Iraq, Israel

Volume 3: Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman

Volume 4: Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria

Volume 5: Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Yemen

Grades 6-8

--This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-9–A handsomely packaged set offering information on 16 nations. An introduction, identical in each volume, provides the parameters, context, and basic definitions for the discussions that follow. In addition to covering the history, geography, and economy of each country, the alphabetical articles include subsections on religion and beliefs, everyday life (e.g., food and clothing), holidays and festivals, and the arts. Occasional brief inserts highlight a fact, individual, event, tradition, or recipe. The text remains neutral while acknowledging regional conflicts and issues. Each entry offers fast facts, a map, and a time line of events (through 2003, for some countries). Well-selected, black-and-white photographs and drawings are interspersed throughout. Each volume contains a specific glossary and bibliography. A major strength of this set is the inclusion of some of the smaller nations in the region.–Linda Greengrass, Bank Street College Library, New York City
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

This middle-school set profiles the 16 countries that lie in the geographic region between the Mediterranean Sea and India, the editors' definition of the Middle East. Each country (Bahrain, Cyprus, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen) is covered in a multipage chapter providing detailed information on ethnic groups, land and resources, history, economy, religion, everyday life, holidays, and the arts. These sections may be subdivided into specific topics (for example, "Business and Industry" and "Media and Communications" under "Economy"). For each country, a "Fast Facts" box contains basic data (capital, population, life expectancy, currency, exports, etc.). Other sidebars and inserts that cover topics ranging from trivial cultural insights to minibiographies of notable residents to brief essays on historic and political events appear on almost every page. Occasional black-and-white photographs with detailed captions further complement the text.

Each volume begins with a common introduction that succinctly addresses the region's shared historic, political, and religious background. Several pages are devoted to the Middle East as the "Birthplace of the World's Religions." The introduction provides coverage on Islam (basic beliefs, denominations, scripture, and major observances). Judaism is covered in-depth in the chapter on Israel, and Christianity in the chapter on Cyprus, the first nation alphabetically with a sizable Christian population. The introduction also addresses basic conventions concerning courtesy and customs. Each volume ends with a comprehensive index and a volume-specific glossary and bibliography consisting primarily of Web sites, with limited print sources.

Information is current through 2003 (the capture of Saddam Hussein). The political and social scene in the Middle East will continue to evolve. However, readers in need of a source of solid, unbiased information will be well served by this resource. Accessible to students in middle school and up, and specifically designed to coordinate with typical research assignments, this set is highly recommended for school and public libraries. Kathleen McBroom
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Greenwood (April 30, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0313329265
• ISBN-13: 978-0313329265
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds