Product Description

Updated with information on the effects of the U.S. presence in Iraq.

There is perhaps no other place in the world fraught with as much turmoil as the Middle East. This updated guide provides readers with an intense look at current events and the ever-changing political and social landscape in this dynamic part of the world, as well as the history—ancient and modern—of the region.

-Very strong sales for the first two editions

-The go-to book on the subject for readers on all sides of the issue

-This book has a nationwide appeal for anyone wishing to bring themselves up-to-date on the conflict and its consequences for the United States and the rest of the world

-Covers recent events, including the death of Arafat and the Iraqi elections, with expanded information about terrorism in the region

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1125041 in Books
• Published on: 2002-11-12
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 504 pages

Review
Bard’s updated book is extraordinarily comprehensive. It explains the evolution of the Arab-Israeli conflict from Biblical times ....to Mahmoud Abbas. -- Near East Report, February 13, 2006

About the Author
Mitchell G. Bard, Ph.D., is one of the country’s foremost experts on U.S.-Middle East policy and the author of 14 books, including The Complete Idiot’s Guide to World War II. Dr. Bard has appeared on Fox News, MSNBC, and other television and radio outlets. His work has been published in academic journals, magazines, and newspapers.

Customer Reviews

Fun to read, but extremely informative and fair!
While this book is fun to read, it actually delves deeply into the issues at the heart of the conflict. Bard has done his homework and presented an objective and fair look at sensitive topics. This book is an excellent guide for those trying to determine whether what they read in the papers is based on fact or propaganda. Would make a great gift for college students and for those interested in the Middle East, no matter what their level of expertise. Even for people who think they 'know everything there is to know' about the Middle East, Bard has much to offer.

Well-balanced
This well-balanced work shows the positive and negative of both sides of the issues in the Middle East. It goes beyond the headlines to the roots of the conflict. It focuses on more than politics and shows how other factors contribute to the conflict. The "idiot" title is misleading, since this is a really well-written, comprehensive overview of the history of the Middle East. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED reading.

Finally, an objective perspective!
What an eye-opener! I found this no-nonsense, chronological history of the seemingly intransigient middle east conflict an invaluable aid in sorting out the roots of the Israeli-Arab dilemma. For example, I didn't know that the Arabs rejected the 1947 UN Partition Plan that would have given them a state larger than the one they're demanding now. Nor was I aware of the fact that the Mayor of Haifa in 1948 actually pleaded with his Arab neighbors not to flee but to stay in the city as the Arab armies were invading Israel. Thank you, Mr. Bard. I will recommend this book to all my friends.