Middle Eastern history Books

Book SynopsisFew states in the modern world have had a less promising birth than Jordan. When in 1921 the Hashemite Emir Abdallah was recognized as the ruler of this romantic backwater of the former Ottoman Empire, it was sparsely populated, extremely poor, and widely regarded as ungovernable. Today against all the odds, Jordan has become one of the most prosperous and stable of Middle Eastern countries and a major player in the region's politics. In this political history, Kamal Salibi attempts to explain how this transformation was achieved. The book traces the story of modern Jordan from its origins in the Arab revolt at the end of World War I and the political success of the astute and colourful founder of its ruling dynasty. It includes a detailed examination of the far-reaching implications for Jordan of the Palestinian tragedy and a constantly tense relationship with neighbouring Israel and it shows how King Hussein, the longest surviving ruler in the contemporary Middle East, has guided the country through these difficult times to introduce democracy in 1988.Table of ContentsThe land and its story; "the stone which the builders refused"; the dynastic background; the founder; putting the country together; Abdullah and the Palestinian; a kingdom at a price; learning the game of nations; the difficult years; two sovereignty in conflict; "a stone for the corner".

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Book SynopsisThis text looks at the process by which the Arab community of Haifa was transformed during a crucial period in the history of modern Palestine by British mandatory rule, the advent of Zionism and internal dynamics. The author considers the social and economic structure of Haifa before 1918 and examines the process of change which took place. She looks at the attempts by the Arab community to cope with increasingly unfavourable economic and political conditions, showing how the impotence of the leadership and hardship caused popular grievances and culminated in the revolt of 1936-1939 which had its breeding ground in Haifa.

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Book SynopsisThis study outlines the main features of the theory and practice of political power in Muslim polities in the Middle Ages against the background of Near Eastern traditions of kingship, particularly Hellenistic, Persian, and Byzantine. The early Arab-Muslim polity is treated as an integral part of late Antiquity and the book explores the way in which older traditions were transposed into Islamic form and given specifically Islamic textual sanction.Table of ContentsPart 1 Sublime analogies pagan and monotheistic: kings and gods - ubiquitous regalia, figures of the sacred; kings in the world - royal cosmography, monotheistic types, virtue and order; an interregnum - the early Muslim polity. Part 2 Muslim polities: writing power - a corpus of universal wisdom, topics of power, power Islamized; the absolutist imperative - power enunciated, power manifest; absolutism sublime - the sacral caliphate, caliphal kingship, the sultanic shadow of God; political soteriology - hierocratic saviours, logocratic sages?.

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Book SynopsisPeter Sluglett has been teaching Middle Eastern History at the University of Utah, Salt Lake City since 1994. He is co-author of Iraq since 1958: from Revolution to Dictatorship (I.B. Tauris) and co-editor of the first major comparative study of the mandates,'The British and French mandates in comparative perspective.'Trade Review'This is an excellent, reasoned, historical analysis of Iraq, lucidly written, theoretically astute, empirically based, politically firm.' -Fred Halliday 'A very good book indeed.' -Albert Hourani 'This new edition extensively revised and updated is the first book to explore the emergence of modern Iraq, from its foundation in 1920 in the 21st century.' -- The Middle East, 1 Nov. 2001 'This extremely readable book pulls the story together, telling it--almost unbearably poignantly--as it is perceived from both sides.' -Asian Voice, 27 April 2002Table of ContentsAcknowledgments xi Foreword to the Third Edition xiii Foreword to the First Edition xv 1 Iraq Before the Revolution of 1958 1 Early Modern Iraq: from Ottoman Frontier Province to British Military Occupation, c.1550-1914 1 Economy and Society, c.1850-1914 3 The Last Years of Ottoman Rule 5 The Origins and Development of British Interests in Iraq and the Gulf Area 7 British Occupation and Mandate,1914-1932 8 'Independent' Iraq 15 Political Currents, c.1920-1946 16 The Kurds under the Mandate and Monarchy 23 Economy and Society before the Revolution of 1958: Land Tenure and Rural Social Structure 30 Economy and Society before the Revolution of 1958: Urban Life and the Urban Economy 35 The Last Years of the Monarchy,1946-1958 38 2 1958-1963 47 Preparations for the Coup:Qasim and the Free Officers before July 1958 47 The Coup and the Revolution of 14 July 1958 49 The Political Climate in the Immediate Aftermath of the Revolution 51 The Emergence of 'Abd al-Karim Qasim 52 'Unity Now' versus 'Federation '55 The Split between Qasim and 'Arif, August to November 1958 5 The Rashid 'Ali 'Coup' 60 The Communist 'Threat' 62 Mosul, March 1959 66 Kirkuk, July 1959 70 The Attempt on Qasim's Life, October 1959 72 The Breaking of the Radical Left 74 Social and Economic Policies,1958-1963 76 The Kurdish Question, 1958-1963 79 Qasim's Last Years, 1961-1963 82 3 1963-1968 85 The Origins of Ba'thism 87 The Ba'th in Iraq 90 The Ba'th-Nationalist Alliance,February-November 1963 92 The Regime of 'Abd al-Salam 'Arif,1963-1966 93 The Government of 'Abd al-Rahman al-Bazzaz, September 1965 to August 1966 97 The Presidency of 'Abd al-Rahman 'Arif,April 1966 to July 1968 99 Social and Economic Policies, 1963-1968 101 The Kurdish Question under the 'Arifs 102 The Communists under the 'Arifs 104 4 1968-1972 107 The Background to the July 1968 Coups: the Ba'th Party and the Struggle for Power 10 The Coups of July 1968 112 The Government of 30 July 1968 116 The First Steps on the Road to Oil Nationalisation: Negotiations with the Soviet Union, March-July 1969 123 Relations with the ICP and KDP, 1969-1970 126 The Ba'th and Black September 132 Further Power Struggles: The Emergence of Saddam Husayn 134 Social and Economic Policies, 1968-1972 137 The Uneasy Road to Reconciliation: The Ba'th, the Communists and the Kurds, 1970-1972 140 The Background to the Nationalisation of the Iraq Petroleum Company 145 5 1972-1975 149 For and Against the National Patriotic Front 151 The Consequences of the Nationalisation of the IPC 154 The Formation of the National Patriotic Front 156 The Kurds and the National Front 158 The Defiance and Defeat of Nazim Kazzar, June-July 1973 160 The Ba'th,the Kurds and Iran, 1973-1974 164 Open Warfare, 1974-1975 167 6 1975-1980 171 1973-1975: the Ba'th Dig In 172 Iraq's Relations with Its Neighbours, 1973-1975 176 Domestic Politics, 1975-1979 17 The Kurds, 1975-1979 187 The Shi'i Opposition 190 Foreign Relations, 1975-1980 200 The Struggle for Power within the Ba'th Party -- Saddam Husayn and his Rivals, 1976-1980 206 7 Economy and Society since 1958 215 Oil and the Iraqi Economy, 1958-1963 216 Economy and Society under the 'Arif Brothers 219 Economy and Society Under the Ba'th 227 8 The War between Iraq and Iran 255 Iraq and Iran, 1975-1979 255 The Early Years of the War 257 The Political Impact of the War on Iraq 262 The Effects of the War on the Iraqi Economy 264 The Last Two Years of the War: 1986-1988 266 al-Anfal,1988 269 The Political and Military Situation after the War 270 The Reconstruction of the Economy and the Bureaucracy 274 Prelude to Invasion 277 9 The Invasion of Kuwait and Its Aftermath 281 Perceptions and Misperceptions: Some Considerations of the Background to the Invasion 283 The Aftermath of the Gulf War 288 The Risings in the Shi'i South and Kurdistan 289 Sanctions and the United Nations Inspections 290 Kurdish Politics since 1991 295 Shi'i Politics since 1991 299 Human Rights in Iraq 301 Iraqi Politics since 1991 304 Conclusion 30 Notes 311 Bibliography 361 Index 381

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Book SynopsisIn 1974 the Greek colonels ousted the Greek-Cypriot leader of Cyprus, Archbishop Makarios, and Turkey retaliated by invading and seizing a third of the island. Cyprus remains split in two, like Berlin before the wall came down, bristling with troops and spying bases, and permanently policed by the United Nations. Henry Kissinger claimed he could do nothing to stop the coup because of the Watergate crisis, but this book presents evidence to support the view that it was no failure of American foreign policy, but the realization of a long-term plot. The authors describe the strategic reasons for Washington's need to divide the island. Their account encompasses an international cast of characters that includes Eden, Eisenhower, Nixon, Kissinger, Wilson, Callaghan, Grivas, and the leaders of the two halves of the divided island, Clerides and Denktas.Trade Review"The Cyprus Conspiracy delivers new and damning detail on how the big powers (including good old "ethical" Britain) taught Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots not to live together." -Boyd Tonkin, The Guardian "O'Malley and Craig show how powerful and penetrating journalism can be by producing a book of high quality and academic value. This book fills a gap in the literature about Cyprus and the Cyprus problem, and will also be of interest to those working on the eastern Mediterranean, and on US and British foreign policy in the region." -Mediterranean Politics "A marvellous new book ... It is a fascinating story of international intrigue, espionage and intelligence, brilliantly and graphically told and it will open a lot of eyes of people who, until now, had no inkling - until today - about the real and intriguing reason behind the partition of Cyprus." -Chris Moncrieff, The House "This well written and well researched account of events provides the understanding of the situation and the causes, which led to the escalation of the crisis in 1974." -Konstantinos Kotzias, Contemporary Review "With diligent research and fluency, they chart the labyrinth behind what they conclude was an international plot." -Belfast Telegraph 'The book should be of value to those interested in coming to a deeper understanding of the complex issues surrounding Cyprus.' -Intelligence and National SecurityTable of ContentsStrategic prize - Britain's vital military base; the enemy within - the rise of the Enosis campaign; the secret alliance -Eden stokes Turkish violence; military crackdown - Harding gets tough; hamstrung at Suez - Grivas sabotages military preparations; Macmillan's pact - Eisenhower deal frees Makarios; sounding the retreat - NATO allowed to mediate; North Atlantic agenda -Eisenhower rejects the Macmillan plan; pax americana - the settlement secures NATO ties; a sham independence - the unsinkable aircraft-carrier; constitutional collapse - the bloodbath begins; America's secret option - a limited invasion; a crude partition -the British defend Turkish enclaves; the NATO plot - plans to split Cyprus; fallen allies - Grivas risks war; the "red priest" -assassination target; crisis of trust - spying bases at risk; the invisible hand - the Greek colonels oust Makarios; searching questions - Kissinger and Callaghan are cross-examined; warnings of a coup - the CIA knew in advance; Washington stalls - Britain sends a task force; America's veto - Kissinger blocks military deterrent; the Turkish landing - Britain on the brink of war; a creeping invasion - talks at Geneva; the road to war - Kissinger over-rules Callaghan; to the Attila Line - US pressure contains the advances; sabotaged by Congress - the bitter legacy lives on; appendix - interview with Henry Kissinger.

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Book Synopsis The two volumes of this work comprise the first comprehensive history of the kibbutz movement in any language. Origins and Growth covers the first thirty years of this fascinating story, from the formation of the kibbutz in the opening years of the twentieth century to the eve of the Second World War. It is a masterly analysis of the genesis and expansion of the kibbutzim and their relations with the world around them. It considers not only the various components of the kibbutz movement but also the pioneering youth movements from which their members came. Henry Near’s analysis of the ideological, political, economic, and social development of the kibbutz movement is illustrated throughout by excerpts from historical sources, affording a wealth of colourful insights into the changing quality of kibbutz life as experienced by its members. The second volume, Crisis and Achievement, 1939-1995 extends the detailed historical analysis to 1977 and gives a comprehensive overview of subsequent developments.Trade Review'Long and scholarly volume ... Near brings us every primary source on the topic, making this material available to the non-Hebrew reader for the first time ... a treasure trove of information.'Sara Reguer, AJS Review'The most systematic and comprehensive book ever written on the first three decades of kibbutz history ... the abundant statistical data and tables convey the realities beyond the aspirations, and there are descriptions of everyday life and of developments in kibbutz society and education.'Yuval Dror, Catedra'Pays special attention to the kibbutz movement as such and has added excerpts from historical sources to give an insight into the changing quality of kibbutz life as experienced by its members.'International Review of Social History'There has been no systematic survey of its historical development until Henry Near's fascinating and detailed account ... The story is told in meticulous detail.'Leon Sheleff, Jerusalem Post'This is an excellent and well researched book that is well written, with illuminating recollections and quotations from memoirs. It is a pleasure to read and its sequel will be well worth waiting for.'Hugh Courts, Jewish Book News & Reviews'Excellent ... the first comprehensive history of the Kibbutz movement in any language.'Barry Shenker, Jewish Chronicle'Henry Near has pioneered the history of the Kibbutz movement for the English reader.'Noah Lucas, Journal of Jewish Studies'Notably thoughtful and scholarly ... he has succeeded in putting together an admirably coherent and clearly written account of the kibbutz movement's history, an authoritative narrative account of which has long been needed. When completed by a second volume, The Kibbutz Movement: A History is sure to serve as the standard text on the subject for years to come.'David Vital, Times Literary SupplementTable of ContentsList of tablesList of illustrations and mapsNote on Translation, Transliteration, Annotation, and ReferencesIntroduction1 Backgrounds and Beginnings, 1904–1920Zionist Settlements and the Second Aliya • Communes and Kvutzot • The Spread of Kvutzot • Historical Dimensions in the Creation of the Kvutza2 Expansion and Consolidation, 1918–1923The Third Aliya and the ‘Fellowship of the Roads’ • Gedud Ha’avoda and Hashomer Hatzair • The Kibbutz Movement in 19233 The Pioneering Youth Movements: Origins and Growth, 1900–1935Hechalutz • The ‘Classic’ Youth Movements • The Smaller Youth Movements • The Youth Movements in the Early 1930s4 The Fourth Aliya and the Creation of the Kibbutz Movements, 1924–1930The Fourth Aliya: Patterns of Settlement • Gedud Ha’avoda and Ein Harod • The Foundation of the Kibbutz Movements • Unity and Variety5 After the Crisis: Recovery and Growth, 1927–1935The World in Transition • Economics and Settlement • Development of the Kibbutz Movements6 Politics and Youth, 1927–1935The Politicization of the Kibbutz Movement • The Expansion of the Youth Movements • Historical Influences on the Development of the Youth Movements7 Glimpses of Social History: The Kibbutz Community, 1925–1935Patterns of Education: The 1920s and 1930s • Community and Culture • Ways of Life: Three Kibbutzim, 19358 Diversity and Unity: The Smaller Movements, 1930–1939Pioneering Youth Movements in the Diaspora • Pioneering Youth Movements in the Yishuv • The Religious Kibbutz Movements • Youth Movements and Kibbutz Movements9 The Heroic Period, 1936–1939The Arab Revolt • The Kibbutz Movement and the Defence of the Yishuv • Tower and Stockade • Hechalutz and Illegal Immigration10 Economics, Politics, and Society, 1936–1939The Kibbutz Economy • Demographic Developments • The Kibbutz in Politics • Social Developments11 Comments and ConclusionsEconomics • Social Developments • The Kibbutz and the Outside World: Ideological Variants • Politics • Reflections • Achievements and ApprehensionsAppendix 1: The kibbutz movement in 1939Appendix 2: Guide to other settlements mentionedGlossaryReferencesIndexMap: The kibbutz movement in context, 1939

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisIn 1835, a 27-year-old Swiss doctor, Titus Tobler, travelled to Palestine to undertake medical research. The trip sparked a lifelong fascination with the Holy Land. Tobler spent considerable time in Bethlehem and decided that the city of Christ? s birth deserved its own detailed publication. First published in German in 1849, this volume delivers a fascinating and meticulous insight into the historic small town in the critical few years before global events changed it forever and opened it up to the world. It details all aspects of the inhabitants? lives, including access to water, agricultural practices, cooking traditions, dress, hygiene, family dynamics, attitudes towards one another and towards foreigners, economics, professions and, most significantly, the growing trade of making and shipping souvenirs abroad.In spite of the book? s historic importance and its essential value to Palestine studies, it has remained available in German only, until now. This engaging English translation renews its significance to a new generation of those studying this uniquely famous town and the evolution of European attitudes towards Palestine itself.

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