William L. Cleveland - A History of the Modern Middle East [2008][A]

Book Description
Publication Date: December 2, 2008
This comprehensive work provides a penetrating analysis of modern Middle Eastern history, from the Ottoman and Egyptian reforms, through the challenge of Western imperialism, to the American invasion of Iraq and Iran’s new influence in the region. After introducing the reader to the region’s history from the origins of Islam in the seventh century, A History of the Modern Middle East focuses on the past two centuries of profound and often dramatic change. Although built around a framework of political history, the book also carefully integrates social, cultural, and economic developments into a single, expertly crafted account. In updating this fourth edition of the late William Cleveland’s popular introductory text, Martin Bunton addresses recent transformative developments in the Middle East, charting the decline in the peace prospects between Israelis and Palestinians, elaborating upon the resurgence of Islam, and devoting a new chapter to “America’s Troubled Moment in the Middle East,” which details the aftermath of the Iraq war and Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Reviews
“This volume is history in the best sense. … A superbly written analysis of the social and political disruptions of the Middle East. This updated volume does an excellent job of weaving together various strands of a complex subject in a coherent narrative. It is recommended reading for all serious students who want to understand how the Middle East got to where it is today.”—Phebe Marr, author of The Modern History of Iraq and fellow at the U.S. Institute for Peace

"This extensive and lucid book provides a laudable introduction to the political history of the Middle East, tracing its development from Islam's rise in the seventh century to the recent direct American military involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan. . . . Does a commendable job in linking historical events in fluid, logical narrative sequences that help readers unfamiliar with the Middle East connect the events."—American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences

“This is the best comprehensive survey of modern Middle East history in the literature. The authors excel at translating complex and controversial subject matter in a highly readable manner without sacrificing cogent and insightful analysis. I highly recommend it.”—David W. Lesch, professor of Middle East History, Trinity University

This excellent survey has been used in many colleges and universities as a standard text since its first edition...In this particularly turbulent period of history, this book should be of interest not only to students, but also to every citizen who has to make some judgment, one way or another, about the US role in the Middle East.— Choice

William L. Cleveland updates his text on modern Middle Eastern history in this third edition, focusing on political, social, economic, and ideological developments throughout the region. Cleveland makes it clear that this book is meant to be 'an examination of the past, not of the present or the future,' but reserves space in the Epilogue to discuss the ramifications of the September 11th terrorist attacks and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.— Middle East Journal

Highly recommended for anyone interested in a remarkably well-crafted introduction to the history, politics, and international relations of the Middle East.— International Journal

Lucidly written, well researched and an ideal work of introduction and reference for students of the region.— Middle Eastern Studies

About the Authors
The late William L. Cleveland was professor of history at Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Vancouver, British Columbia.
Martin Bunton is an associate professor of history at the University of Victoria, British Columbia. He is the author of Colonial Land Policies in Palestine, 1917–1936 (2007).