Karl Yambert

This was a textbook for my contemporary Middle East class at university. While the substance is great, it is important to note that this is a READER, not a standard textbook (I do recommend William L. Cleveland's "A History of the Modern Middle East" for a wholesome historical background in the region). The only problems with this book is that it 1) assumes a developed knowledge of Middle Eastern history (most American students' conceptions are warped at best, distorted at worst), and 2) becomes increasingly irrelevant, since the entire makeup of the region can be changed with a stroke of a pen. These imperfections warrant some sort of demerit on principle, but that aside, this is a great reader with interesting perspectives. Very worthwhile as a class text if used properly.… (mehr)