Arabs

A 3,000-Year History of Peoples, Tribes, and Empires

By: Tim Mackintosh-Smith

Narrated by: Ralph Lister

Length: 25 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

A riveting, comprehensive history of the Arab peoples and tribes that explores the role of language as a cultural touchstone

This kaleidoscopic book covers almost 3,000 years of Arab history and shines a light on the footloose Arab peoples and tribes who conquered lands and disseminated their language and culture over vast distances. Tracing this process to the origins of the Arabic language, rather than the advent of Islam, Tim Mackintosh-Smith begins his narrative more than a thousand years before Muhammad and focuses on how Arabic, both spoken and written, has functioned as a vital source of shared cultural identity over the millennia.

Mackintosh-Smith reveals how linguistic developments - from pre-Islamic poetry to the growth of script, Muhammad's use of writing, and the later problems of printing Arabic - have helped and hindered the progress of Arab history, and investigates how, even in today's politically fractured post-Arab Spring environment, Arabic itself is still a source of unity and disunity.

©2019 Tim Mackintosh-Smith (P)2019 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Long listen

This is an important topic for study however I think it would have been better served in the written format rather than as an audio book
. I found following the Arab names and locations difficult. However the narrator was excellent. I just wish I had a map and written outline of the players to refer to while listening.

Very readable and in-depth

I'm no historian but I love reading history. If you've ever tried to learn about Arab history from an American's standpoint, you'll find that most books are superficial and hardly informative. This book was very readable, I'll probably read again within the year. Rather than regurgitate information we've all heard before, he leads you to many revelations on the subject. The author is clever and wise, I'm open to all of his thoughts and opinions throughout the book.

it's a good overview

it took more time than I thought, but overall it gave me better understanding of Arab history

Reflexion and Sensibity

I was after hard facts on history of Arabs I found something much different, yet very rewarding.

This is not a book about the past. Those are refexions of a man that is seeng the history very much alive, manifesting itself out of his window in form of the Yemeni civil war. It is the fruit of a great effort to make sense of a tragedy affecting the Arabs, in light of 3000 years that passed but never really went away. It's inteligent, sensible and dramatic. A great book.

interesting and eyeopening

loved it and couldnt put it down. my only comment goes towards taking a biased approach on islams influence not giving it its right on how it transformed the peninsula as well as a few other points when it comes to regional politics .. overall an interesting read

Beautiful

Fantastic and insightful overview of an often misunderstood people and history. This story better elaborates a complicated people and culture better than many have ever attempted.

Concise yet complete history of arabs.

The Author is a mountain of knowledge and brings amazing references comparing dictators to Milton's Satan.

Outstanding history. Somewhat disappointing reader

Tim Mackintosh-Smith has written a masterpiece of Arab history. I'm rather well-versed in the subject matter, so I was able to follow along rather easily, but this tome isn't for the uninitiated neophyte. Tim's poetic wordcraft shows the unmistakable influence of the beautiful Arabic la guage upon his native English.

As other reviewers have noted, the reader shares the same passion and appreciation for the subject as any listener would, but his efficacy is hampered by not knowing (apparently) any Arabic at all. This both helps and hurts. The reading is more smooth and natural without codeswitching, but alas. Tim's particular theory of Arabic entails extensive citation of Arabic poetry, and the listener is deprived of fully appreciating his marvelous observations.

this is textbook reading

this is not a light read, and unless you know something about what he is talking about you will find this a bit of a challenge. I learned, but it's not good for an audible experience.

Excellent

The best book in the topic I have read so far even better than Arabic books