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MENA History
Under the Cover of War: the Zionist Expulsion of the Palestinians
The Arab-Israeli conflict is central to any discussion of Middle Eastern history over the past few decades, and the fate of Palestinian refugees lies at the heart of problem. In her book, Rosemarie Esber examines the last few months of Mandate rule in the Holy Land, in order to discuss how Palestinians ended up leaving their homes. She concludes that they departed primarily as the result of a campaign of violent intimidation that could be termed ethnic cleansing, and describes this in some detail.
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Posted by dubaiwalla at 09:01 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
The Other Islam: Sufism and the Road to Global Harmony
Let's be upbeat: this book, released last month, doesn't totally stink. The author's personal politics might lead one to expect the worst, but neoconservative Stephen Schwartz does manage in his book to provide both interesting information and genuine thoughtfulness about religious faith and Sufi Islam. This is salutary because his likely readership will mostly be those who take seriously all kinds of simplistic tripe about Muslims. Or, still worse, lap up the manurish anti-Muslim bigotry that is pervasive in the general society and in certain political blogs (e.g. the sicko Little Green Footballs blog, etc.)
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Posted by Matthew Hogan at 02:17 AM | Comments (16) | TrackBack
Dubai: The Vulnerability of Success
Christopher Davidson's study of Dubai aims to evenhandedly tackle the city's history, politics, security, economics, and society. The city's rulers were so unhappy about the subjects discussed that they initially attempted to ban it. So why did I not lap it up?
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Posted by dubaiwalla at 11:27 AM | Comments (5) | TrackBack
Reel Bad Arabs: How Hollywood Vilifies a People
The bottom line, up front: Jack Shaheen's Reel Bad Arabs is a necessary resource for anyone seriously interested in the subject of negative stereotyping of Arabs in American cinema. The best supplement to this book, by the way, besides its recently released DVD companion piece, is the same author's The TV Arab. That work provides a sustained analysis and background regarding Arab stereotyping on the small screen. On the downside, however, both are a bit dated (I am using the original 2001 edition of Reel Bad Arabs) and perhaps dangerously so at times. More about that in a bit.
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Posted by Matthew Hogan at 12:47 AM | Comments (11) | TrackBack
A History of Islamic Societies
Not concise, but a very good historical survey of Islam and Islamic societies. Generally well-written and generally good coverage of the entire Muslim world. Much more a political and social history of the Islamic world, as opposed to Farah, which is more a history of Islam as a religion. Good choice for a single-book purchase.
Posted by Tamerlane at 02:57 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Discovering Islam; Making Sense of Muslim History and Society
Commentary on history and particularly interactions with the West, written from a somewhat more personal style than Lapidus or Hodgson, with perhaps a trend towards apologia. You'll either like that take or not - personally, I'm less crazy about it. However I think he offers some valuable perspectives, particularly on the colonial impact and this is a decent second or third volume to pick up.
Posted by Tamerlane at 07:51 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
The Modern Middle East : Revised Edition
Great collection of articles on the "major issues" in MENA history/studies. Good point of departure.
Posted by raf* at 06:52 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
The Modern Middle East : A History
Currently one of the best textbooks on modern MENA history. Perfect for beginners, entertaining for "insiders".
Posted by raf* at 06:50 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
The Middle East: A History
Good general history of the region. Exemplary college textbook.
Posted by raf* at 06:23 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
The Venture of Islam
Lapidus on steroids in some respects. Denser prose, less complete coverage (Africa and Southeast Asia in particular are slighted), and a bit dated in some places. But a more thorough political and particularly social history of the MENA than Lapidus.
Posted by Tamerlane at 06:05 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
