Middle East Patterns: Places, Peoples, and Politics [Paperback]

Colbert C. Held (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0813341701 | ISBN-13: 978-0813341705 | Publication Date: July 29, 2005 | Edition: Fourth Edition, Fourth Edition

Now in its fourth edition, Middle East Patterns continues to be the only comprehensive, authoritative geographical study of the region. Colbert Held, a U.S. geographer who experienced firsthand and studied every country during his years of service in the region, has revised and updated his classic work while retaining the basic, well-received framework of past editions. Held examines the Middle East from a topical and then a regional, country-by-country perspective. A thoughtful consideration of the physical environment lays the groundwork for emphasis on cultural-political and geopolitical patterns, which are the essence of the study. Middle East Patterns has been widely commended for its careful balance in analyzing the several geopolitical problems of the area, notably the disputes regarding Israel and Palestine. Richly illustrated with 70 clear maps-virtually all hand drawn exclusively for this book-as well as over 100 photographs, Middle East Patterns now includes new, post-9/11 history and insight. Held addresses the ramifications of the Iraq war and includes a special new section specifically on terrorism. Students of the region will again welcome this fine resource for their coursework.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A resource no student of the Middle East's geography can do without." -- Dona J. Stewart, Georgia State University

From the Inside Flap

Now in its fifth edition, Middle East Patterns continues to be the most comprehensive and authoritative geographical study of the region. New coauthor John Thomas Cummings joins Colbert C. Held in updating this classic work while retaining the well-received framework of past editions. The authors first cover the Middle East from a topical perspective, considering the region’s biophysical, ethnographic, economic, and geopolitical patterns, and then provide in-depth country-by-country coverage. The fifth edition maintains the book’s distinctive focus on geography, natural resources, and land-use patterns while integrating updated comparative material on development economics and political economy throughout the book, as well as new sections on terrorism and piracy and the effects of development on women’s health issues. Richly illustrated with more than 100 photos and 60 maps, this acclaimed book remains the best accessible resource for students and general readers who seek to understand the spatial dynamics of the Middle East

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 672 pages
• Publisher: Westview Press; Fourth Edition, Fourth Edition edition (July 29, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813341701
• ISBN-13: 978-0813341705
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #816,259 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Geography is destiny in the Middle East, January 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Middle East Patterns: Places, Peoples, And Politics, Second Edition (Paperback)

Dr. Held's vast experience working as a Middle East geographer for the U.S. State Department pays off in a comprehensive synthesis showing the importance of natural resources and human culture. He begins with an overview of Middle Eastern geography: climate, water resources, topography, petroleum, and human settlement. He then treats each country in a chapter that synthesizes geography, culture and politics. Chapters are well written and illustrated. The book is suffused with the author's fascination with the variety of human cultures in the Middle East.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A reader recommended for all high school to college-level students of the region's history, November 13, 2010

By 

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

This review is from: Middle East Patterns: Places, Peoples, and Politics (Paperback)

The fifth updated edition of Colbert C. Held and John Thomas Cummings's MIDDLE EAST PATTERNS has been revised and updated and is a reader recommended for all high school to college-level students of the region's history, politics and economics. New material on development economics and political economy compliment new sections on terrorism, piracy, women's health and perspectives on patterns both within and between nations. Very highly recommended!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Encyclopedia, October 22, 2010

By 

SinePari "SinePari" (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Middle East Patterns: Places, Peoples, and Politics (Paperback)

Short of understanding Islamic history - nothing else could explain the middle eastern countries better. I am basing my review however on the 4th edition, it was soo good, when I discovered a revised edition was out - I had to get it for reference.