A Concise History of the Middle East, Ninth Edition

By: Arthur Goldschmidt Jr., Lawrence Davidson

Narrated by: Tom Weiner

Length: 18 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

The ninth edition of this widely acclaimed text has been extensively revised to reflect the latest scholarship and the most recent events in the Middle East. As an introduction to the history of this turbulent region from the beginnings of Islam to the present day, the book is distinguished by its clear style, broad scope, and balanced treatment. It focuses on the evolution of Islamic institutions and culture, the influence of the West, the modernization efforts of Middle Eastern governments, the struggle for political independence, the course of the Arab-Israeli conflict, the roles of Iraq and Iran in the post-9/11 Middle East, and more.

Arthur Goldschmidt, Jr., is professor emeritus of Middle Eastern history at Pennsylvania State University. He is the author of Modern Egypt: Foundation of a Nation-State and the recipient of the Amoco Foundation Award for Outstanding Teaching and the 2000 Middle East Studies Association Mentoring Award.

Lawrence Davidson is a professor of history at West Chester University. He is the author of several books, including America’s Palestine and Islamic Fundamentalism.

©2010 Westview Press (P)2010 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“The premier text for the study of the Middle East. Goldschmidt and Davidson’s well-written and solidly argued analyses of the most important and crucial developments of Middle Eastern history and politics…could not be timelier.” (Robert Olson, University of Kentucky)

“I can only offer unmixed praise for the new edition of A Concise History of the Middle East….Sparklingly clear and straightforward for even the ‘general reader.’…Remarkable.” (Mark Seifter, Lehigh Carbon Community College)

“Well-organized, comprehensive, balanced, and exceptionally readable….The authors blend significant historical detail with timely political analysis in a cogent style that is compelling and lucid.” (Donald Wagner, North Park University, Chicago)

Good review of a key part of our world's history

Would you consider the audio edition of A Concise History of the Middle East, Ninth Edition to be better than the print version?

I have not read the print version.

Any additional comments?

Overall the book was very informative about the transformative gyrations in the lands and peoples of the region. It was good to learn a bit about the nature and mindset of the peoples of the region and how they impact the world at large. I have come to the belief, however, that the authors seem somewhat biased in favor of Muslims. Atrocities conducted by Muslims were largely glossed over or presented as a matter of course, whereas atrocities perpetrated by non-Muslim peoples were presented as gross failures of culture, morality, and ideology; especially anything Isreali in nature.

Excellent, honest, concise

In a politically motivated world, it's hard to get an honest account of Mideast.
This book does that.
Highly recommend for anyone who genuinely wants to learn about ME & wiling to put aside their political, religious & national prejudices.

MIDDLE EAST

This audio book makes today’s Middle East newspaper story more interesting and comprehensible.

History is never the whole truth because events are reported out of the context of their time, a time which can never be fully explained even by the most knowledgeable historian. However, Messieurs Goldschmidt and Davidson have created an insightful overview of the origins and impacts of an area of the world not well-known or understood by much of the American public.

"A Concise History of the Middle East" provides some history and, more importantly, perspective on religious belief, ethnicity, and secularism in the Middle East; i.e., it explains some of the differences within and among Middle Eastern countries. Goldschmidt and Davidson help one understand the difference between a Muslim Sunni and a Muslim Shiite. Their history gives the listener a better appreciation of the importance of an Imam to a Shiite and what happens in Shiite dominated Iran versus what might occur in a majority Sunni country like Saudi Arabia or Kuwait.

The Middle East is revealed as the world power it once was; its devolution into a variety of colonial and/or monarchic nation states; and its re-growth as an oil-producing behemoth that is working its way into the 21st century as a new world power. One is drawn to the conclusion that this new world power is in a state of creation from a variety of competing Middle Eastern nation states that may or may not survive the 21st century.

Excellent Overview, With a Few Reservations

Any additional comments?

This is an excellent overview on a history of the middle east. Let me highlight its strengths and then explain any of its limitations or my reservations.

This is a very thorough overview of the history of the middle east. It was written by two authors. The authors make a strong effort to be fair to all parties involved in their discussions. The book covers a history of the middle east from the 7th century to 2009 (which stops just short of the very recent Arab Spring Movement). It also devotes much material to the modern middle east and thoroughly covers its biggest concerns, including the Arab-Israeli conflict. They make a concerted effort to highlight some of the primary roots and causes of the turmoil in the middle east today. The performer does a fine job and the book will be interesting to those who are interested and don't mind a history style (as opposed to "story style") book.

Now for a few notes on and limitations of the book. The book really only covers middle east history from the rise of Islam in the 7th century to the present day though it does provide some background to these events. Also, the authors' chosen definition of and focus on the middle east generally leaves out North Africa w(ith the exception of Egypt), the central asian states, and Pakistan except when the material is relevant. I would also say the history is Muslim and Arab centered. While this group, as the dominant group for the past millennium, deserves the bulk of the book, I was a bit disappointed since other cultural, religious, and ethnic minorities are important to the history of the middle east. They made up the majority in many countries until the year 1000 and still constitute important minorities today. They were not left out completely, but I don't feel they got the attention they deserve. Also, while the authors' do attempt to be fair and scholarly and let readers make their own decisions about events, I believe most readers will find that they lean more towards supporting the Arabs in the Arab Israeli conflict and that they are not in favor of some of the policies of the recent Bush administration and the war on terror. Some of course will and will not appreciate this perspective, but I still think they do a good job covering the major events regardless of your perspective. These limitations made me give the book a 4 rather than a 5.

Overall this is an excellent overview and I would definitely recommend it to anyone interested in the topic, keeping in mind some of the limitations listed above. I learned a great deal and it is an excellent resource for anyone looking to better understand the history of this important region of the world and the roots of modern day events, conflicts, and issues. Enjoy!!!

Comprehensive

I learned so much about the Middle East. I strongly recommend this book. And the narration was very good.

Fair assessment of Arab-Israeli conflict.

This audiobook is a good listen. It gives more perspectives than other history books. The period detailing colonialism, nationalist struggle, and the Arab-Israeli Conflict are fairly depicted. Overall it is balanced and provides good overview of modern Middle East history.

Excellent Background

I admit that I do get a lot of "duds" on audible: Books that seem promising but never deliver. This is not one! Almost like a textbook, it really moves fast. Some people who are not familiar with the area will have to rewind quite a bit like I did, but it's worth it.

As for those who say it is too "liberal" or too "pro islam or arab" I say that I'm glad to see a counterweight to the "pro american/Israeli" perspective we see so often in the mainstream media. We need to pay more attention to this part of the world if we are ever going to be the super power we claim to be.

A comprehensive history worth reading

Many reviewers were dissatisfied with the book and the authors, who, they say, are biased. True, they might be a bit biased, but wouldn't you be, if you spent your life studying the middle east? I think the authors did a great job of gathering facts and telling an interesting story. The biased paragraphs are easily identifiable and, in fact, especially when describing arab-israeli conflict, I believe the authors made an effort to be very careful and sound as unbiased as possible. If you find the carefully ingrained opinions offensive and a reason good enough to discredit the whole material, then maybe the problem is with you, not the book.

This book is history in the first place, not an opinionated essay. It also IS NOT about arab-israeli conflict only, it is about the history of the middle east. That said, whatever you political views are, reading this book would help you learn more interesting historical facts.

Informative

This seemed like a good book on the topic for people who haven't before studied the history of the region before. Certainly helped put modern history in a deeper context.

Excellent Book, but very long!

This was a very good book. Although, I really have no knowledge of the Middle East prior, the information was extremely insightful. I can’t speak to it’s bias or accurateness, but if you hope to understand the Middle East from a factual post of view, I highly recommend this book.