Scan barcode
talenyn's review against another edition
1.0
There is plenty of good information in this book, if you can find it. The first third, about relations between Arab peoples and the Ottoman Empire, is fairly straightforward. But then the author starts to follow about a dozen different polities and political groups therein; he also jumps around chronologically. This book would have been significantly clearer if he followed one polity and digressed as needed for context; or gave an overview of what was happening across the Arab polities during each decade; or even just divided his chapters (in the current order) to address one place / time each and clearly labeled them! As is, this book isn't terribly good as either a reference or a narrative text.
mubeenirfan's review against another edition
5.0
First of all it is not actually history of Arabs from inception but instead a history of modern arabs and takes off from the Ottoman's conquest of Arab lands in 16th century. This book then delves into the development of arabs in different arab lands, their uprisings, their mutinies, their frustrations and their political & military advancements.
The book is slightly slow in start but is never boring and by 1/3rd of the book you are totally hooked. My personal interest has always been around 19th & 20th century of european imperialism and the time when land of arabia was carved into nation-states to suit western powers as it gives a perspective into why and how the current geo-political situation has evolved and Eugene Rogan provides loads of fodder in this area.
This is an amazing book and any fan of history & geo-politics must not skip it. Last chapter has been added to the second edition to provide a brief on Arab Spring but I think it is time to add another chapter for further change in Arab world through the rise of ISIS.
Highly recommended. 5 Stars.
The book is slightly slow in start but is never boring and by 1/3rd of the book you are totally hooked. My personal interest has always been around 19th & 20th century of european imperialism and the time when land of arabia was carved into nation-states to suit western powers as it gives a perspective into why and how the current geo-political situation has evolved and Eugene Rogan provides loads of fodder in this area.
This is an amazing book and any fan of history & geo-politics must not skip it. Last chapter has been added to the second edition to provide a brief on Arab Spring but I think it is time to add another chapter for further change in Arab world through the rise of ISIS.
Highly recommended. 5 Stars.
nataalia_sanchez's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
rossbm's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
4.25
Good history the Arabs since the Ottoman conquest of the Mamluks in 1517. Thought it would start early with Muslim conquests, but given how long book was, good thing it didn't. Feel like I have a better understanding of Palenstine-Israel conflict now, along with why Middle East is so volatile.