Product Description

Now in its fourth edition, Middle East Patterns continues to be the only comprehensive, authoritative geographical study of the region. Colbert Held, a U.S. geographer who experienced firsthand and studied every country during his years of service in the region, has revised and updated his classic work while retaining the basic, well-received framework of past editions. Held examines the Middle East from a topical and then a regional, country-by-country perspective. A thoughtful consideration of the physical environment lays the groundwork for emphasis on cultural-political and geopolitical patterns, which are the essence of the study. Middle East Patterns has been widely commended for its careful balance in analyzing the several geopolitical problems of the area, notably the disputes regarding Israel and Palestine. Richly illustrated with 70 clear maps-virtually all hand drawn exclusively for this book-as well as over 100 photographs, Middle East Patterns now includes new, post-9/11 history and insight. Held addresses the ramifications of the Iraq war and includes a special new section specifically on terrorism. Students of the region will again welcome this fine resource for their coursework.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #285135 in Books
• Published on: 2005-07-28
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 672 pages

Review
"A resource no student of the Middle East's geography can do without." -- Dona J. Stewart, Georgia State University

About the Author

Customer Reviews

Geography is destiny in the Middle East
Dr. Held's vast experience working as a Middle East geographer for the U.S. State Department pays off in a comprehensive synthesis showing the importance of natural resources and human culture. He begins with an overview of Middle Eastern geography: climate, water resources, topography, petroleum, and human settlement. He then treats each country in a chapter that synthesizes geography, culture and politics. Chapters are well written and illustrated. The book is suffused with the author's fascination with the variety of human cultures in the Middle East.

Author's note on updated 2006 edition
As author of Middle East Patterns, I'd like to point out that the paperback and Kindle edition is the fully updated fourth edition, published in 2006 (not the third edition and not the 1989 first edition as currently listed on Kindle). The book is based on my 20 years of experience in the Middle East as a diplomat and geographer and includes scores of updated maps, tables and pictures.

Middle East Patterns covers key topics--oil and gas, ethnic groups and languages, religious and water conflicts. It also includes chapters and maps on all sixteen Middle East countries from Turkey to Iran, including Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the Gulf and Israel. Designed for any reader who follows the news or is planning to travel to the area, it is especially useful for university students, teachers, diplomats, government and not-for-profit representatives, and business executives.

good textbook
good textbook, I got it cause it was cheaper to but it from amazon that through campus bookstore