A History of the Middle East

Rating:
Summary: Fine introductory history for today's world issues
Review: As our news brings us constant coverage about the struggles and tensions in this volatile part of our world, I became increasingly aware of my own vague understanding of the history that created the map of these countries as we know them today. Mansfield provided me with the narrative of that history that leads me to a greater capacity to be present to the current conflicts with greater insight. I found the book highly readable. The additional material by Nicholas Pelham brings the book past 9/11 and to the brink of the Iraq war and is carefully prepared to blend with and suppliment the original text. Both writers seek to recount the history with an appropriate balance of passion for the story and compassion for the complex histories of the people. This work has laid a fine foundation for further reading.

Rating:
Summary: 2 books in one, buy the first edition.
Review: I believe the original author Mansfield would be disappointed in what Nicolas Pelham has done with this "revised and updated" version of his book. Mansfield died in 1996 and Pelham was given the task of "updating" this history of the Middle East. I was very impressed with the first 340 pages of this book. I was looking for an even-keeled, unbiased history of this very charged and polarizing subject. I was very pleased to find that Peter Mansfield had done exactly that. Mansfield's original work went up to the first Gulf War and provided a very even history of events from ancient times to the immediate post-Gulf War period. He provides a very readable account that puts current events into context without betraying his own bias. I had been recommending this book to many friends, before I came to Pelham's contribution that picks up in the post war period. He doesn't even try to contain his contempt for the United States and it's allies. The language and tone of the book change dramatically and it is easy to tell where Pelham picks up in the 13th chapter: The Inter-War Years. His contribution amounts to an intensely felt indictment of the United States and it's policy in Middle Eastern affairs. He loses credibility when he throws in trite and petty personal attacks on Western leadership that have no relation to the events he is describing. Even the grammatical integrity changes. There were multiple grammatical and spelling errors in Pelham's chapter. The transition from Mansfield to Pelham is very abrupt and disruptive, regardless of your political leanings. I am very disappointed as the first 340 pages were excellent and exactly what I was hoping for. If you must buy this edition than be prepared. I would have given Mansfield's book 5+ stars and Pelham's contribution 1 star (being generous). I still gave the book a 4 star average because Mansfield's work deserves recognition and it comprised the bulk of the book.

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful 350 coherent
Review: I want to thank to the author who is known as the authr of The Arabs.l am not an Arab but l want to appriciate him for his excellent book.Expecially the first world and events were happening during the war has been clarified by P.M very well.

Rating:
Summary: Eminently readable. Fascinating synthesis of all the pieces
Review: Mansfield first presents a survey of history before WWI then disentangles the woof and warp of 20th century Middle East history right on up to the US "Desert Storm" Gulf War. Great for putting all the bits and pieces together that you've witnessed for the last 20 years and also for finding out how things got that way and what is behind tonight's latest from the region. Very readable.

Rating:
Summary: a history text
Review: Okay- I know that this is a seminal work re: the Middle East, but it is as dry as any other history text that you might find on the shelves of MiddleEast 101. In comparison to Price of Honor or other more reader friendly texts that in my opinion carry as much critical information about the volatile region, it pales in comparison.

Rating:
Summary: a history text
Review: Okay- I know that this is a seminal work re: the Middle East, but it is as dry as any other history text that you might find on the shelves of MiddleEast 101. In comparison to Price of Honor or other more reader friendly texts that in my opinion carry as much critical information about the volatile region, it pales in comparison.

Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Synopsis
Review: This book contains everything a modern reader who is anything but a professional Middle East scholar could ever want to know about the history of the region (especially about the Arab-Israeli conflicts). Most importantly, it is presented in a strictly factual, unemotional manner which allows the reader to understand the current problems there and to make his or her own judgments without the facts being skewed or, indeed, being portrayed in a subjective light at all. With this account under one's belt, it is impossible to see the conflicts of the Middle East in a wholly black-and-white, right-and-wrong way. Indeed, the cold facts show how all parties involved have countless reasons for their behavior, and how no one party can ever be completely blamed.
Having also read what Mansfield himself considered to be his crowning achievement, "The Arabs", I actually feel that this is a superior work, at least for my purposes. "A History of the Middle East" presents a more sweeping view for the amateur (but serious) scholar, and can be used as a good reference despite being more than a decade old.
Mansfield follows the region from prehistory, through the Ottoman Empire, and into the modern age, explaining events and motivations in a reasonable and straightforward manner.
It must be mentioned that this is not an exciting book for those without a passionate interest in foreign affairs. But those who are driven to know and understand the goings-on of the modern world will find it an invaluable addition to their library.

Rating:
Summary: Solid introduction to the region
Review: This book is a very solid introduction to the modern history of the region. Although it covers a much longer span, the first chapter is subtitled "from Ancient to Modern", the book spends 34 pages on the entire period prior 1800. Rather skimpy. But, it does well given its limited treatment of pre-1800. Another problem is the lack of spirit in the book. One can tell that author is British just by the style.

Having said the above, it does a very good job of summarizing the major history since 1800. And, I would recommend it to any seeking an introduction to the Middle East, esp. the modern world.

Rating:
Summary: Solid introduction to the region
Review: This book is a very solid introduction to the modern history of the region. Although it covers a much longer span, the first chapter is subtitled "from Ancient to Modern", the book spends 34 pages on the entire period prior 1800. Rather skimpy. But, it does well given its limited treatment of pre-1800. Another problem is the lack of spirit in the book. One can tell that author is British just by the style.

Having said the above, it does a very good job of summarizing the major history since 1800. And, I would recommend it to any seeking an introduction to the Middle East, esp. the modern world.

Rating:
Summary: Solid introduction to the region
Review: This book is a very solid introduction to the modern history of the region. Although it covers a much longer span, the first chapter is subtitled "from Ancient to Modern", the book spends 34 pages on the entire period prior 1800. Rather skimpy. But, it does well given its limited treatment of pre-1800. Another problem is the lack of spirit in the book. One can tell that author is British just by the style.

Having said the above, it does a very good job of summarizing the major history since 1800. And, I would recommend it to any seeking an introduction to the Middle East, esp. the modern world.