What, indeed, have Baghdad and Damascus to do with Rome? Griffith explores the impact of the rise of Islam on Christianity--Middle Eastern, Greek, andWhat, indeed, have Baghdad and Damascus to do with Rome? Griffith explores the impact of the rise of Islam on Christianity--Middle Eastern, Greek, and Latin alike. What were Christians' very first impressions of this new religion? How did Middle Eastern theologians respond to the challenge of conversion to Islam? This book takes us back to the days when over fifty percent of the world's Christian lived with the shadow of the crescent over their cross, letting us see how they coped, suffered, and thrived....more
The title is fairly self explanatory, but I think it gives a good analysis of the events. Also the focus on the non-violence movement and its effect aThe title is fairly self explanatory, but I think it gives a good analysis of the events. Also the focus on the non-violence movement and its effect are frequently missing from the popular discourse on the matter....more
A fantastic overview of the 1967 war, with great insights into both sides of the conflict and their preparations. A very well-researched and respectedA fantastic overview of the 1967 war, with great insights into both sides of the conflict and their preparations. A very well-researched and respected book, it provides all the essentials to anyone looking to begin studying the 1967 conflict in depth. It is slightly Israel-biased, as most books on the subject of 1967 are, but it is easily the best way to get into the war's history as one can find....more
Written by one of the most prolific writers on the history of Israeli conflict, this "New Historian" book refutes many of the traditional Israeli histWritten by one of the most prolific writers on the history of Israeli conflict, this "New Historian" book refutes many of the traditional Israeli historian arguments about how Palestinian refugees came to be in 1948. It uses declassified documents to paint a far more comprehensive and well-sourced picture of the 1948 war's effect on the local population, and is one of the most well-researched books on the subject out there....more
This book covers the history of the first Arab-Israeli war, with great detail given for how the war was conducted, the events of it, and how the IsraeThis book covers the history of the first Arab-Israeli war, with great detail given for how the war was conducted, the events of it, and how the Israelis managed to succeed in winning the war itself. This focuses on the lead-up to war from the Civil War that had been going on before, and discusses the various fronts....more
Written from the Palestinian point of view (mostly post-1948), this book is great to balance against the Benny Morris book for a good overview of PaleWritten from the Palestinian point of view (mostly post-1948), this book is great to balance against the Benny Morris book for a good overview of Palestinian-Israeli struggles throughout the history of Israel....more
This is a fantastic collection of biographical information on the authors and other primary source writings by Zionists throughout the history of ZionThis is a fantastic collection of biographical information on the authors and other primary source writings by Zionists throughout the history of Zionism pre-Israel especially. It provides description of the varieties of Zionism and has documents describing precisely what the theories of each were, from their main thinkers. Great for an introduction to Zionist ideas and how they evolved and differed....more
The best single study on all the Arab Republics (rather than the monarchies) which takes you right up to when the book was published in 2012. An impreThe best single study on all the Arab Republics (rather than the monarchies) which takes you right up to when the book was published in 2012. An impressively readable and coherent work of comparative history that brings together the similarities of these regimes without giving the short shrift to their many differences....more
A great read about the overthrow of Iran's shah, the role of the U.S. in that coup, and the eventual rise of the revolutionary movement in the region.A great read about the overthrow of Iran's shah, the role of the U.S. in that coup, and the eventual rise of the revolutionary movement in the region....more
A classic in the literature of modern warfare, this outdated classic still works today as a primer to the Algerian War (despite its countless referencA classic in the literature of modern warfare, this outdated classic still works today as a primer to the Algerian War (despite its countless references to the Northern Ireland Troubles in the footnotes, which must have worked great back in the day). Focusing mostly on the politics of the war, the military history parts aren't as bad even if they leave much more to desire. Despite everything, a great general overview and doesn't back down from controversial questions....more
Certainly a bit dated, but one of the most comprehensive looks at the Islamic conquests of the seventh century as a whole. Donner very usefully dispelCertainly a bit dated, but one of the most comprehensive looks at the Islamic conquests of the seventh century as a whole. Donner very usefully dispels a number of Orientalist myths about the conquests, including the weakness of the "great empires" of antiquity and supposed ineffectiveness of Arab armies....more
Deals heavily in the not so represented parts of Phoenician culture, like the artistic designs on the pottery, masks, funeral axes, stelae and such. IDeals heavily in the not so represented parts of Phoenician culture, like the artistic designs on the pottery, masks, funeral axes, stelae and such. It also deals with city planning and architecture, and the differences between the areas they settled like Cyprus, Sardinia and North Africa....more
A fantastic book. A good portion of her book is dedicated to the colonies, with emphasis on the colonies along the Andalusian coast, and uses lots of A fantastic book. A good portion of her book is dedicated to the colonies, with emphasis on the colonies along the Andalusian coast, and uses lots of archaeology to back up literary sources when available....more
It goes from the founding of the city to its destruction, using archeology and literary sources to back up his findings, noting where a topic isn't coIt goes from the founding of the city to its destruction, using archeology and literary sources to back up his findings, noting where a topic isn't conclusive and presents us with the evidence so as the reader can make their own conclusions (such as the child sacrifice debate)....more
This book gives a very good overview of the history of the Arabian Peninsula prior to Muhammad and the rise of Islam, a time period and geographical aThis book gives a very good overview of the history of the Arabian Peninsula prior to Muhammad and the rise of Islam, a time period and geographical area too often neglected. Recommended along with much of Hoyland's work on Early Islamic history....more
This is an excellent overview of ancient Anatolia, from the Neolithic settlements of Çatalhöyük to the Lydian empire. It includes some discussions perThis is an excellent overview of ancient Anatolia, from the Neolithic settlements of Çatalhöyük to the Lydian empire. It includes some discussions pertaining to Troy and the Hittites as well. Overall an excellent book for learning about the often overlooked ancient history of Anatolia, and a must-have for any class on the subject....more
The go-to source for all questions on daily life in ancient Israel (in the Bronze and Iron ages). An excellent overview of all the various aspects of The go-to source for all questions on daily life in ancient Israel (in the Bronze and Iron ages). An excellent overview of all the various aspects of daily life, from food and cooking ways to economics and trade, to clothing, to religion, this book is the place to start. Perfect for answering all those questions about "what did people use for (blank) in the Ancient Near East?"....more
AskHistorians
>
Books:
middle-east-history
(38)
Loading...
