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A History of the Middle East Audiobook
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(3.14) - 243 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
For more than four thousand years, the Middle East has provided a setting for titanic struggles between great civilizations and religions. In the twentieth century it became the focus of rivalry between the European powers as the last major Islamic empire of the Ottoman Turks crumbled and collapsed. The discovery of the world’s greatest oil reserves gave the region global economic importance as well as a unique strategic value.
In this masterly work of synthesis, Peter Mansfield draws on his experience as a journalist and historian to form a picture of the political and social history of the meeting point of Occident and Orient over the last two centuries, from Bonaparte’s marauding invasion of Egypt to the start of the Gulf War. In two penetrating final chapters, Peter Mansfield discusses Saddam Hussein and the prospects for the future.
Incisive and illuminating, A History of the Middle East is essential reading for anyone wishing to understand what is perhaps the most crucial and volatile nerve center of the modern world.
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"I found this book quite interesting and highly informative. The author did an excellent job in trying to condense so much in just a few pages.Wished I had a photographic memory so I could retain much of the information made available in this book. "
— Wale (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“The best overall survey of the politics, regional rivalries, and economics of the contemporary Arab world.”
— Washington Post Book World -
“An excellent political overview.”
— Guardian (UK) -
“A brilliantly deft and well-informed guide…Coherent, dispassionate, and remarkably inclusive.”
— Times Educational Supplement -
“It is the kind of work that clarifies a person’s perspective…it gives the listener insight into how Gamal Nassar, Anwar Sadat, Col. Qaddafi, and Saddam Hussein came to power.”
— St. Louis Post-Dispatch -
“Brown’s masterful reading of this book is fluid and pleasing, enlivening what could have easily come across as a monotonic lecture in the hands of the wrong reader. Brown’s skillful reading compliments an already superb book.”
— Large Print Reviews
A History of the Middle East Listener Reviews
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" Peter Mansfield gives a good account of the history of the middle east focusing mainly on the events since the napoleonic era. I recommend everyone who cares about the history of the middle east to get a copy. "
— Ahsun, 1/15/2014 -
" Read the few chapters I wanted to- interesting and generally unbiased and offering multiple perspectives. But you know, not exactly summer pleasure reading. "
— Mary, 1/11/2014 -
" Read the few chapters I wanted to- interesting and generally unbiased and offering multiple perspectives. But you know, not exactly summer pleasure reading. "
— Mary, 1/7/2014 -
" - good book for beginners interested in the ME "
— Dan, 12/21/2013 -
" Difficult to listen as an Audible book. "
— Mark, 10/18/2013 -
" At 448 pages it still felt like a whirlwind trip! An interesting and long trouble region. "
— Peter, 9/29/2013 -
" This is the real deal. Peter Mansfield takes a gigantic topic and makes in digestible and presents it in a very compelling fashion. "
— Mark, 9/26/2013 -
" Peter Mansfield gives a good account of the history of the middle east focusing mainly on the events since the napoleonic era. I recommend everyone who cares about the history of the middle east to get a copy. "
— Ahsun, 9/22/2013 -
" This is the real deal. Peter Mansfield takes a gigantic topic and makes in digestible and presents it in a very compelling fashion. "
— Mark, 6/26/2013 -
" It may not be the most detailed or comprehensive history of the region, but the focus on the 20th century and the indictment of the rogue Israeli state is the most compelling I've read anywhere. "
— Ron, 6/7/2013 -
" Still one of the best books on how the collapse of the Ottoman Empire created the modern Middle East. "
— Roger, 5/24/2013 -
" It may not be the most detailed or comprehensive history of the region, but the focus on the 20th century and the indictment of the rogue Israeli state is the most compelling I've read anywhere. "
— Ron, 2/28/2013 -
" Interesting... a bit confusing at times but it does give me a lot of insight on the tenuous relationship between the U.S., France, United Kingdom and the Middle Eastern nations. "
— Gino, 2/27/2013 -
" Interesting... a bit confusing at times but it does give me a lot of insight on the tenuous relationship between the U.S., France, United Kingdom and the Middle Eastern nations. "
— Gino, 11/12/2012 -
" Brief, concise, and gripping enough, but rather general, as I supposed it has to be. "
— Ariel, 10/17/2012 -
" At 448 pages it still felt like a whirlwind trip! An interesting and long trouble region. "
— Peter, 10/14/2012 -
" Brief, concise, and gripping enough, but rather general, as I supposed it has to be. "
— Ariel, 10/12/2012 -
" Still one of the best books on how the collapse of the Ottoman Empire created the modern Middle East. "
— Roger, 10/9/2012 -
" His style is tough to plow through, but it's a concise history of the near east and good to get a general idea of particular areas. It's a classic, written in 1928 and updated. "
— Connie, 8/24/2012 -
" brilliant book and well informed guide .. "
— Baniza, 8/10/2012 -
" I thought this book would have been a lot more interesting - but I found it pretty dry. I'll admit I didn't finish it - rare for me. "
— Megan, 7/13/2012 -
" - good book for beginners interested in the ME "
— Dan, 6/7/2012 -
" brilliant book and well informed guide .. "
— Baniza, 11/6/2011 -
" His style is tough to plow through, but it's a concise history of the near east and good to get a general idea of particular areas. It's a classic, written in 1928 and updated. "
— Connie, 10/11/2011 -
" I thought this book would have been a lot more interesting - but I found it pretty dry. I'll admit I didn't finish it - rare for me. "
— Megan, 8/18/2011 -
" Difficult to listen as an Audible book. "
— Mark, 5/9/2011 -
" At 448 pages it still felt like a whirlwind trip! An interesting and long trouble region. "
— Peter, 4/24/2011 -
" At 448 pages it still felt like a whirlwind trip! An interesting and long trouble region. "
— Peter, 4/24/2011 -
" - good book for beginners interested in the ME "
— Dan, 12/7/2010 -
" - good book for beginners interested in the ME "
— Dan, 12/7/2010 -
" His style is tough to plow through, but it's a concise history of the near east and good to get a general idea of particular areas. It's a classic, written in 1928 and updated. "
— Connie, 3/4/2010 -
" His style is tough to plow through, but it's a concise history of the near east and good to get a general idea of particular areas. It's a classic, written in 1928 and updated. "
— Connie, 3/4/2010 -
" This really puts the current conflicts in the Middle East into a proper historical perspective. "
— Michael, 11/28/2009 -
" This really puts the current conflicts in the Middle East into a proper historical perspective. "
— Michael, 11/28/2009 -
" I found this book quite interesting and highly informative. The author did an excellent job in trying to condense so much in just a few pages. <br/>Wished I had a photographic memory so I could retain much of the information made available in this book. "
— Wale, 10/25/2009 -
" Read the few chapters I wanted to- interesting and generally unbiased and offering multiple perspectives. But you know, not exactly summer pleasure reading. "
— Mary, 7/25/2009 -
" Read the few chapters I wanted to- interesting and generally unbiased and offering multiple perspectives. But you know, not exactly summer pleasure reading. "
— Mary, 7/25/2009 -
" Still one of the best books on how the collapse of the Ottoman Empire created the modern Middle East. "
— Roger, 10/21/2008 -
" Still one of the best books on how the collapse of the Ottoman Empire created the modern Middle East. "
— Roger, 10/21/2008 -
" Peter Mansfield gives a good account of the history of the middle east focusing mainly on the events since the napoleonic era. I recommend everyone who cares about the history of the middle east to get a copy. "
— Ahsun, 12/28/2007 -
" Peter Mansfield gives a good account of the history of the middle east focusing mainly on the events since the napoleonic era. I recommend everyone who cares about the history of the middle east to get a copy. "
— Ahsun, 12/28/2007 -
" I thought this book would have been a lot more interesting - but I found it pretty dry. I'll admit I didn't finish it - rare for me. "
— Megan, 11/9/2007 -
" I thought this book would have been a lot more interesting - but I found it pretty dry. I'll admit I didn't finish it - rare for me. "
— Megan, 11/9/2007 -
" Interesting... a bit confusing at times but it does give me a lot of insight on the tenuous relationship between the U.S., France, United Kingdom and the Middle Eastern nations. "
— Gino, 9/14/2007 -
" Interesting... a bit confusing at times but it does give me a lot of insight on the tenuous relationship between the U.S., France, United Kingdom and the Middle Eastern nations. "
— Gino, 9/14/2007
About Peter Mansfield
Peter Mansfield (1928–1996) was born in Ranchi, India and was educated at Winchester and Cambridge. For over thirty years, he wrote and broadcasted about the contemporary affairs and history of the Middle East, corresponding regularly for the Financial Times, Economist, and London Sunday Times. His books include Who’s Who in the Arab World and The Arabs.
About Richard Brown
Richard Brown (1937–2005) (a.k.a. Joseph Porter), was a former ballet dancer, actor, and popular audiobook narrator. Born in England, Richard came to the United States early in his career and performed with numerous regional ballet companies. After retiring from the ballet, he pursued a career in acting and recorded dozens of audiobooks for numerous publishers.