We have nearly 50 interviews discussing a vast range of books on the Middle East: Books on individual middle eastern countries, books on the culture of the middle east, the religions and politics of the middle east and books on the conflicts that have beset the region in recent decades.
There are a number of interviews recommending books on the general history of the middle East. Jo Tatchell recommends the best books on Desert Nations, Philip Mansel on the Levant. Issandr El Amrani recommends his best books on Understanding the Arab World and Eugene Rogan on the Arabs. With a slightly wider perspective, Tim Mackintosh-Smith and Ziauddin Sardar both recommend their best books on travelling in the muslim World.
There are recommendations for books on individual countries:
A number of our interviews deal with books on the role of Islam in the middle east. Malise Ruthven looks at Islamism. Others look at Islamic militancy, the essence of Islam and Islam and modernity. Peter Adamson chooses his best books on Philosophy in the Islamic World.
Others choose books that deal with conflicts in the Middle East. Nikolaos van Dam looks at the Syrian civil war. Gabriel Piterberg looks at Zionism and anti-Zionism. Other interviews cover the Iraq War, Al Qaeda, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The role of the US in the Middle East is covered Stephen Walt, who chooses his best books on US-Israel relations and by Lloyd Gardner, who chooses his best books on Egypt and America.
On a more historical note, Gershon Hundert chooses his best books on Jewish history, Norman Stone his best books on Turkish history, Kanan Makiya his best books on Iraqi history and Ali Ansari his best books on Iranian history. Thomas de Waal chooses the best memoirs of the Armenian Genocide.
There are interviews exclusively devoted to middle east literature. Susan Abulhawa chooses the best Palestinian writing and Ayelet Gundar-Goshen chooses the best contemporary Israeli fiction.
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1
Islam and the Foundations of Political Power
by Ali Abdel Razek -
2
The Muqaddimah
by Ibn Khaldun -
3
The Venture of Islam: Conscience and History in a World Civilization. Vol. 3: The Gunpowder Empires and Modern Times
by Marshall G.S. Hodgson -
4
Civil Islam: Muslims and Democratization in Indonesia
by Robert W. Hefner -
5
Muslims and the State in Britain, France, and Germany
by J. Christopher Soper & Joel S. Fetzer
The best books on Islam and the State, recommended by Ahmet T. Kuru
The best books on Islam and the State, recommended by Ahmet T. Kuru
It’s widely assumed that in the ideal Muslim society there is no separation between religion and the state, but even in some of the earliest caliphates, the secular and the religious were rarely as closely aligned as religious conservatives would have us believe. Here Ahmet T. Kuru, Professor of Political Science at San Diego State University, recommends books that help trace the historical relationship between Islam and the state—and points to strands of secularism that may hold the key to a happier relationship between Islam and liberal democracy.
The best books on The Middle East, recommended by Fawaz A. Gerges
The Middle East has been and still is much misunderstood. Here Fawaz A. Gerges, a professor and Middle Eastern specialist at London School of Economics, recommends five pioneering works of history and social science that will help you to understand the evolution of the region’s society and politics.
The best books on The Israel-Palestine Conflict, recommended by Robin Yassin-Kassab
The author and political blogger chooses five books on the Israel-Palestine conflict and compares the Palestinians to the Jews in diaspora: as the land disappears under their feet, their identity grows stronger.
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1
America's Kingdom: Mythmaking on the Saudi Oil Frontier
by Robert Vitalis -
2
The Other Saudis: Shiism, Dissent and Sectarianism
by Toby Matthiesen -
3
Joyriding in Riyadh: Oil, Urbanism, and Road Revolt
by Pascal Menoret -
4
Being Young, Male and Saudi: Identity and Politics in a Globalised Kingdom
by Mark C Thompson -
5
Girls of Riyadh
by Rajaa Alsanea
The best books on Saudi Arabia, recommended by Madawi Al-Rasheed
The best books on Saudi Arabia, recommended by Madawi Al-Rasheed
Saudi Arabia is one of the most misunderstood countries on earth. Here Saudi-born anthropologist, Madawi Al-Rasheed, chooses five books to help understand the country, its society and the very modern challenges it faces.
Memoirs of the Armenian Genocide, recommended by Thomas de Waal
More than 100 years after the Armenian genocide, author Tom de Waal chooses books that sidestep the politics and bring us back to the human story. He picks the best memoirs of the Armenian genocide.
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The Persian Empire
by J M Cook -
2
Discovering Cyrus: a Persian Conqueror Astride the Ancient World
by Reza Zaghamee -
3
The Persian Empire: A Corpus of Sources from the Achaemenid Period
by Amélie Kuhrt -
4
The Palace of Darius at Susa: The Great Royal Residence of Achaemenid Persia
by Jean Perrot -
5
Creation
by Gore Vidal
The best books on The Achaemenid Persian Empire, recommended by Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones
The best books on The Achaemenid Persian Empire, recommended by Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones
At the height of its greatness, the Achaemenid Persian Empire was the largest empire the world had ever known. Too often it is given merely a villainous walk-on part in the heroic history of classical Greece. Here, historian Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones explains why that needs correcting, looks at its cultural achievements and discusses why the first Persian empire is worth studying in its own right and on its own terms.
The best books on Modern Iran, recommended by Jasmin Darznik
Everyday life in Iran is often mischaracterised, says the Iranian author and academic – especially when it comes to the struggles of its women. She recommends five books that give us a window on Iranian history and family life
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The Proof of the Honey
by Salwa Al Neimi and Carol Perkins (translator) -
2
In the Eye of the Sun
by Ahdaf Soueif -
3
The Affair
by Ghita El Khayat & Robert Thompson (translator) -
4
Classical Poems by Arab Women: A Bilingual Anthology
by Abdullah al-Udhari (editor) -
5
I Sweep the Sun Off Rooftops
by Hanan al-Shaykh
Erotic Writing by Arab Women, recommended by Selma Dabbagh
Erotic Writing by Arab Women, recommended by Selma Dabbagh
Arab women have been writing erotic literature for millennia and have become more creative and daring in recent years in the wake of the Arab Spring and the spread of social media, says novelist Selma Dabbagh, editor of a new anthology, We Wrote in Symbols: Love and Lust by Arab Women Writers. Here, she picks five key examples of erotic writing by women of the region.
The best books on Jewish History, recommended by Gershon Hundert
Gershon Hundert, Leanor Segal Professor of Jewish Studies at McGill University, talks about recent revisions to the conventional understanding of Jewish history and selects the most influential current writing on the subject.
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1
Sectarianism in Syria's Civil War
by Fabrice Balanche -
2
Syria: The Fall of the House of Assad
by David Lesch -
3
The Battle for Syria: International Rivalry in the New Middle East
by Christopher Phillips -
4
The Syrian Jihad
by Charles Lister -
5
The Alawis of Syria: War, Faith and Politics in the Levant
Michael Kerr and Craig Larkin (Eds)
The best books on The Syrian Civil War, recommended by Nikolaos van Dam
The best books on The Syrian Civil War, recommended by Nikolaos van Dam
Few who knew Syria well doubted that the revolution that started in 2011 would lead to a bloodbath. But rather than helping, foreign intervention turned it into an even bigger catastrophe. Syria specialist Nikolaos van Dam recommends books that shed light on Syria’s tragic civil war.
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1
Greek Thought, Arabic Culture
by Dimitri Gutas -
2
Great Medieval Thinkers: Avicenna
by Jon McGinnis -
3
Avicenna's 'De Anima' in the Latin West
by Dag Nikolaus Hasse -
4
Maimonides in His World: Portrait of a Mediterranean Thinker
by Sarah Stroumsa -
5
The Teleological Ethics of Fakhr al-Dīn al-Rāzī
by Ayman Shihadeh
The best books on Philosophy in the Islamic World, recommended by Peter Adamson
The best books on Philosophy in the Islamic World, recommended by Peter Adamson
Arabic philosophy was hugely influential during the Islamic Golden Age; at one point, the Persian polymath Avicenna’s influence outstripped that of Aristotle. But a strong tradition has continued in the centuries since, explains Professor Peter Adamson, as he selects five of the best books on the subject.
The best books on Jerusalem, recommended by Simon Sebag Montefiore
Jerusalem is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and a place of longing for three faiths—and yet we know it mostly as a place of strife and conflict. British historian Simon Sebag Montefiore, author of Jerusalem: the Biography, recommends books that capture the historical ups and downs of this ever-changing city, but also its vitality, including its irresistible cuisine.
The Best Contemporary Israeli Fiction, recommended by Ayelet Gundar-Goshen
The Middle East is so dominated by war and politics that all literature must be viewed through this prism, says Israeli novelist Ayelet Gundar-Goshen. She recommends the best Israeli novels.
The best books on Zionism and Anti-Zionism, recommended by Gabriel Piterberg
Israeli historian Gabriel Piterberg tells us about works of scholarship that have challenged the Zionist Israeli narrative of modern history.
The best books on Turkey, recommended by Elif Shafak
Turkey’s most read author, Elif Shafak, describes Istanbul as ‘a she-city with a female personality’. She chooses five books on Turkey, including a biography of the she-city in all its vibrant energy and intensity.
The best books on Philosophy in a Divided World, recommended by Carlos Fraenkel
The philosopher argues that a culture of debate, in which people of all backgrounds can openly discuss the truth, is philosophy’s real answer to conflict.
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The Arabs in Israel
by Sabri Jiryis -
2
Let It Be Morning
by Sayed Kashua -
3
A Doctor in Galilee: The Life and Struggle of a Palestinian in Israel
by Hatim Kanaaneh -
4
So What: New and Selected Poems, 1971-2005
by Taha Muhammad Ali -
5
Sleeping on a Wire: Conversations with Palestinians in Israel
by David Grossman
The best books on Palestinians in Israel, recommended by Jonathan Cook
The best books on Palestinians in Israel, recommended by Jonathan Cook
Palestinians living in Israel are cut off from both sides of the conflict and constantly trying to square the circle, argues Nazareth-based writer Jonathan Cook.
The best books on Desert Nations, recommended by Jo Tatchell
The author explains the allure of desert nations, through a discussion of books including Arabian Sands by Wilfred Thesiger and Sultan In Oman by Jan Morris
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My Father's Paradise: A Son's Search for His Family's Past
by Ariel Sabar -
2
A Modern History of the Kurds
by David McDowall -
3
Blood and Belief: The PKK and the Kurdish Fight for Independence
by Aliza Marcus -
4
A Problem from Hell
by Samantha Power -
5
Invisible Nation: How the Kurds' Quest for Statehood Is Shaping Iraq and the Middle East
by Quil Lawrence
The best books on The Kurds, recommended by Peter W. Galbraith
The best books on The Kurds, recommended by Peter W. Galbraith
The Kurds lost 11,000 lives fighting Islamic State and hoped the West would support them in their quest for nationhood. But as the Kurdish saying goes, ‘The Kurds have no friends but the mountains.’ Author and diplomat Peter W. Galbraith, a longtime advocate of the Kurdish people, recommends the best books on the Kurds—and predicts that one day there will be an independent Kurdistan.
The best books on Islamism, recommended by Malise Ruthven
The war on terror relied on a fundamental misunderstanding of the nature of the threat, say author and academic Malise Ruthven. He picks the best books to get a better understanding of Islamism.
The best books on The Levant, recommended by Philip Mansel
Before the era of nation states, the great Levantine cities of Beirut, Alexandria and Smyrna experienced a golden age, as the author of Levant, Philip Mansel, explains
Books about Travelling in the Muslim World, recommended by Tim Mackintosh-Smith
Author and Arabist Tim Mackintosh-Smith tells us about the rich tradition in Islam of travelling to gain knowledge, and directs us towards some of those, both Western and Arab, who’ve inspired with their tales of life on the road.
The best books on Turkish History, recommended by Norman Stone
Turkey is rediscovering its Ottoman past, says the British professor living in Ankara. He picks five books for compelling insights into Turkish history.
The best books on Egypt and America, recommended by Lloyd Gardner
The historian reflects on the past 60 years of American involvement in Egypt and tells us, after the Arab Spring, what may make the coming years different
The best books on Islamic Militancy, recommended by Jason Burke
Jason Burke, journalist and author of an acclaimed book on Al-Qaeda, tells us what he learnt about militants when he was caught in a firefight in Iraq—and suggests five books we should read to understand their motivations.
The best books on The Iraq War, recommended by Patrick Cockburn
The veteran Middle East correspondent gives us his tips for the best reading about the US-led invasion and occupation, and explains why the West shouldn’t have intervened in Iraq in the first place
The best books on Origins of the Arab Uprising, recommended by Marc Lynch
The Middle East scholar tells us what to read if we’re to understand where upheaval in the Arab world came from, and where it’s going.
The best books on Understanding the Arab World, recommended by Issandr El Amrani
The influential blogger and journalist tells us why there’s so much misinformation about the Arab world, and suggests what we should read to improve our understanding of the region’s history and current turmoil
The best books on Al-Qaeda, recommended by Peter Taylor
The award-winning BBC documentary maker Peter Taylor tells us what he learned in his ten years investigating Al-Qaeda, and suggests what we should read to understand where the group came from, and what it’s still trying to do
The best books on Syria, recommended by Nikolaos van Dam
The veteran Dutch diplomat, Nikolaos van Dam, explains why meaningful political change in Syria will be difficult to achieve – and warns that any move towards democracy is likely to be accompanied by severe sectarian tension.
The best books on The Arab World, recommended by Tarek Osman
The Egyptian author and journalist discusses Egypt’s past and present and the main issues facing the post-revolutionary Arab world
The best books on Turkish Politics, recommended by Hugh Pope
The Istanbul-based author and former foreign correspondent discusses the legacy of Atatürk, the country’s convergence with Europe and why no book has yet been written on Erdogan and the AKP. He picks the best books to help understand Turkish politics.
The best books on Jerusalem, City of Peace?, recommended by James Carroll
Jerusalem has been at the center of conflict for millennia and its current problems cannot be blamed on Israelis and Palestinians alone, says bestselling author and former Catholic priest James Carroll. He picks the best books to understand Jerusalem’s complex history and its message of peace which still gives him hope.
The best books on Palestine, recommended by Raja Shehadeh
Raja Shehadeh’s choices highlight the suffering endured by the Palestinian people over the last 100 years. But they also celebrate the country’s natural beauty, vibrant culture and multi-textured humanity.
The best books on Yemen, recommended by Bernard Haykel
Princeton professor Bernard Haykel’s fascinating selection of books paints a worrying picture of a country at odds with the cultural riches of its past. With internal conflicts and poor governance, Al Qaeda is the least of its problems.
The best books on The History of Iraq, recommended by Kanan Makiya
The Iraqi democracy and civil rights campaigner says the Iran-Iraq war is one of the single largest unappreciated great events of modern Middle Eastern history. He chooses the best books on Iraqi history.
The best books on Israel, recommended by Amnon Rubinstein
Israeli lawyer and politician says the Zionist revolution sought to turn Jewish civilisation into a nation-state like all nation-states under the rule of international law
The best books on The Essence of Islam, recommended by Ahmad Thomson
The British lawyer who converted to Islam in 1973 and founded Wynne Chambers – one of the first chambers to specialise in Islamic law in the UK – discusses five books on the essence of Islam
The best books on Islam and Modernity, recommended by Turi Munthe
CEO and founder of Demotix, the multiple-awardwinning open newswire, discusses five books on Islam and Modernity and the politicisation of Islam in the last decade.
The best books on Islam, recommended by Shazia Khan
Reporter for the BBC World Service and Radio 4, who specialises in reporting on faith and culture selects five books on Islam
The best books on Iranian History, recommended by Ali Ansari
A better understanding of Iran starts with a better understanding of the country’s history. Historian Ali Ansari talks us through some of the most influential works about Iranian history available in English.
Susan Abulhawa on Palestinian Writing
Acclaimed novelist and author of Mornings in Jenin chooses five books about Palestine by Palestinian writers. She says what she sees among the young people in Palestine is humbling, ‘they have such remarkable spirit’
The best books on Israel and Palestine in Art, recommended by Alon Hilu
Award-winning novelist and playwright positions himself among a new breed of Israeli historians: “I think I am part of a new trend in Israel to be critical of the way we tell our history”
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1
My Year in Iraq
by L Paul Bremer III with Malcolm McConnell -
2
The Assassination Attempts against President Saddam Hussein
by Barzan al-Tikriti -
3
Cultural Cleansing in Iraq
by Raymond W Baker, Shereen T Ismael, Tareq Y Ismael -
4
The Old Man and the Sea
by Ernest Hemingway -
5
A Tale of Two Cities
by Charles Dickens
The best books on Life in Iraq During the Invasion, recommended by May Witwit
The best books on Life in Iraq During the Invasion, recommended by May Witwit
Iraqi academic May Witwit tells of the horrors of US-occupied Iraq: “We were being shot at, and for three days a body lay at my front gate and nobody dared to move him”
The best books on Democracy in Iraq, recommended by Nabeel Yasin
The Iraqi poet chooses books on civil and human rights. “I want to spread the word. I want people to get more involved in the political process here in Iraq”
The best books on The Arabs, recommended by Eugene Rogan
Eugene Rogan is Director of the Middle East Centre at Oxford University. His research focuses on the social and economic history of the Arab provinces of the Ottoman Empire and the Arab states in the 20th century.
The best books on US-Israel Relations, recommended by Stephen Walt
The international relations professor tells us about the special relationship between America and Israel – how it came about, what it means, and how it should change
The best books on Israel, recommended by Michael Goldfarb
Award-winning broadcast journalist and author chooses five books on Israel. He says that perceptions of Israel and Palestine are always filtered through expectation and prejudice – which makes the problem unsolvable
The best books on Travel in the Muslim World, recommended by Ziauddin Sardar
The Professor of Postcolonial Studies at City University, London, talks to us about Islamic travel books. Explains how travel should be both a physical and a mental exercise focussed on immersing oneself in local culture
The best books on Maverick Political Thought, recommended by Chibli Mallat
The lawyer who prosecuted Ariel Sharon discusses the brilliance of maverick political thinkers and says: “It takes at least a generation to establish democracy.” Highlights work of philosopher Gilles Deleuze above all