A Concise History of the Middle East

An introduction to the history of this turbulent region from the beginnings of Islam to the present day, this widely acclaimed text by Arthur Goldschmidt Jr. is distinguished by its clear style, broad scope, and balanced treatment. It covers a vast range of topics, including the evolution of Islamic institutions and culture, the influence of the West, the modernization efforts of Middle Eastern governments, the struggle of various peoples for political independence, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the reassertion of Islamic values and power, the issues surrounding the Palestinian Question, and the post-9/11 Middle East. The eleventh edition is fully revised to reflect recent events in the region, including expanded and updated discussions of the "War on Terrorism" and the Arab uprisings, plus coverage of the rise of ISIL. The text also includes a brand-new chapter on the environmental problems of the region, which increasingly affect its dynamics and politics. With updated electronic supplements, including a test bank, bibliography, and digital maps, A Concise History of the Middle East remains the quintessential text on Middle East history

Table of Contents:
Preface to the Eleventh Edition -- Introduction -- The Middle East Before Muhammad -- The First Muslim Revolution -- The Early Arab Conquests -- The High Caliphate -- Shi'ites and Turks, Crusaders and Mongols -- Islamic Civilization -- Firearms, Slaves, and Empires -- European Interests and Imperialism -- Westernizing Reform in the Nineteenth Century -- The Rise of Nationalism -- The Roots of Arab Bitterness -- Modernizing Rulers in the Independent States -- Egypt and the Fertile Crescent Under European Control -- The Contest for Palestine -- Israel's Rebirth and the Rise of Arab Nationalism -- War and the Quest for Peace -- The Reassertion of Islamic Power -- The Gulf War and the Peace Process -- The War on Terrorism -- In the Season of Arab Discontent -- Changing Middle Eastern Environments -- Chronology -- Appendix

About the Author :
Arthur Goldschmidt Jr. is Professor Emeritus of Middle East History at Penn State University. He is the author of Modern Egypt: The Formation of a Nation-State, and the recipient of the Amoco Foundation Award for Outstanding Teaching and the 2000 Middle East Studies Association Mentoring Award. Ibrahim Al-Marashi is Associate Professor of Middle East History at California State University, San Marcos. He is the co-author of Iraq's Armed Forces: An Analytical History and The Modern History of Iraq, fourth edition, with Phebe Marr.