Includes bibliographical references and index.

Examines the region from its pre-Islamic period to the present day, its regional conflicts, and technology.

Part I - Land and peoples - introduces the region with essays on geography and the region's many linguistic groups as well as the role of the three great religions in Middle Eastern society. Part II covers history from the early Egyptian, Anatolian and Mesopotamian periods to the start of the Second World War. Part III - Societies and economies - discusses the growth and development of the region from the decline of nomadism and the development of agriculture to the growth of industry, the development of the oil industry and the modern re-creation of an Islamic banking system. The section on social change studies subjects ranging from the role of women to modern legal systems, sport and the mass media. Part IV - Culture - looks in immense and fascinating detail at Islam as a traditional religion before discussing modern trends in Islam, Judaism and Christianity. It also covers a wide variety of literature, traces artistic development and covers musical theory and genres. Part V studies the modern histories, economies and societies of the countries of the region from the start of the Second World War. It also looks at the history, economy and society of those peoples without a country, such as the Palestinians, the Kurds and the Armenians. Part VI studies inter-regional affairs, the region's relationship with the Great Powers and specific issues such as the Arab-Israeli problem, the Iran-Iraq War and the Lebanese civil war. -- Adapted from dust jacket.

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