A History of the Modern Middle East (Kindle Edition)

by Cleveland (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

“This volume is history in the best sense. … A superbly written analysis of the social and political disruptions of the Middle East. This updated volume does an excellent job of weaving together various strands of a complex subject in a coherent narrative. It is recommended reading for all serious students who want to understand how the Middle East got to where it is today.”
—Phebe Marr, author of The Modern History of Iraq and fellow at the U.S. Institute for Peace

“This is the best comprehensive survey of modern Middle East history in the literature. The authors excel at translating complex and controversial subject matter in a highly readable manner without sacrificing cogent and insightful analysis. I highly recommend it.”
—David W. Lesch, professor of Middle East History, Trinity University

This excellent survey has been used in many colleges and universities as a standard text since its first edition...In this particularly turbulent period of history, this book should be of interest not only to students, but also to every citizen who has to make some judgment, one way or another, about the US role in the Middle East.
— Choice

 

William L. Cleveland updates his text on modern Middle Eastern history in this third edition, focusing on political, social, economic, and ideological developments throughout the region. Cleveland makes it clear that this book is meant to be 'an examination of the past, not of the present or the future,' but reserves space in the Epilogue to discuss the ramifications of the September 11th terrorist attacks and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
— Middle East Journal

 

Highly recommended for anyone interested in a remarkably well-crafted introduction to the history, politics, and international relations of the Middle East.
— International Journal

 

 

Lucidly written, well researched and an ideal work of introduction and reference for students of the region.
— Middle Eastern Studies

 

 

Product Description

This comprehensive work provides a penetrating analysis of modern Middle Eastern history, from the Ottoman and Egyptian reforms, through the challenge of Western imperialism, to the American invasion of Iraq and Iran-s new influence in the region. After introducing the reader to the region-s history from the origins of Islam in the seventh century, A History of the Modern Middle East focuses on the past two centuries of profound and often dramatic change. Although built around a framework of political history, the book also carefully integrates social, cultural, and economic developments into a single, expertly crafted account. In updating this fourth edition of the late William Cleveland-s popular introductory text, Martin Bunton addresses recent transformative developments in the Middle East, charting the decline in the peace prospects between Israelis and Palestinians, elaborating upon the resurgence of Islam, and devoting a new chapter to -America-s Troubled Moment in the Middle East,- which details the aftermath of the Iraq war and Iran-s nuclear ambitions.

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Product Details

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 3005 KB
• Print Length: 608 pages
• Publisher: Westview Press; Fourth Edition edition (December 9, 2008)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
• Language: English
• ASIN: B001NY64ZC
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #39,588 in Kindle Store (See Bestsellers in Kindle Store)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An impressive and substantial work of seminal scholarship, May 9, 2009

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A History of the Modern Middle East (Paperback)

America's military, financial, and cultural involvement with the Middle East is as on-going as it is problematic both in terms of suppressing attacks on America targets and our economic reliance on Middle Eastern petroleum resources. Yet before the emergence of a beligerant and violent Muslim extremism that led to attacks on the American homeland, most Americans know very little about the history and cultures that comprise this area of the world. Now in a newly revised and significantly updated fourth edition, "A History Of The Modern Middle East", co-authored by the late William L. Cleveland (who was a Professor of History at the Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada) and Martin Bunton (who is an Associate Professor of History at the University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada), is a comprehensive historical overview of the region beginning with an insightful analysis of the Ottoman and Egyptian reforms through the rule of European colonialists, down to the American invasion and occupation of Iraq. This latest edition addresses the evolving developments of the past few decades that have transformed Middle Eastern societies and the consequent tensions between the forces of modernization and conservative cultural and religious ideological resistence. Of special note is the new chapter on "America's Troubled Moment in the Middle East" which focuses upon the aftermath of the Iraq war and Iranian nuclear ambitions. Informed and informative, "A History Of The Modern Middle East" is an impressive and substantial work of seminal scholarship. Accessibly written for both academia and the non-specialist general reader with an interest in the 20th and 21st century history of the Middle East, "A History Of The Modern Middle East" is a highly recommended addition for academic and community library World History collections and supplemental reading lists.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Text Book, September 5, 2009

By	Michael P. Higginbotham (Beaverton, OR USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: A History of the Modern Middle East (Paperback)

So far a very informative unbiased approach to the development of the Middle East. I have enjoyed this thoroughly thought out text book. It doesn't feel like you are reading a text book.