A History of Modern Yemen
by Paul Dresch
Paul Dresch is probably the greatest scholar on Yemeni tribal culture and history. What’s wonderful about Dresch is the way he focuses on a particular topic and imbues it with a world of meaning and complexity. It’s an excellent introduction to Yemen, viewed from the ground and from an anthropologist’s perspective.
Recommendations from our site
“Paul Dresch is a pioneer and probably the greatest scholar on Yemeni tribal culture and history. He knew that to understand the phenomenon of tribes you had to dig into Yemen’s history and culture. These tribes arbitrated their differences through a group of scholars and judges who lived in enclaves considered sacred and off-limits to tribal warfare. Dresch shows how these tribes engage and interact with the state in pre-modern and modern times. It’s a very important book.” Read more...
Bernard Haykel, Historian
