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: 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: Mansfield clearly explains the complexities of the region
Review: This books provides a special insight about the Middle East. Since the author lived in the region, he has a close perspective of its intricacies. In the book, the author explains certain of the big differences that some of the countries of the region have with each other.
Hot topics such as Palestine, Israel and Iraq are also dealt in an excellent way.