What is a good reading list for the Middle East?

2017-05-21T14:36:46-04:00

What would be some good books to read involving the history of the region (Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Middle East)?

Ancient History - Modern History, Warfare, Cultural & Political.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2017 3:02 PM

2017-05-21T15:02:17-04:00

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Pillars_of_Wisdom

Seven Pillars of Wisdom - Wikipedia

Seven Pillars of Wisdom is the autobiographical account of the experiences of British soldier T. E. Lawrence ("Lawrence of Arabia"), while serving as a liaison officer with rebel forces during the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Turks of 1916 to 1918.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2017 9:13 PM

2017-05-21T21:13:19-04:00

Invisible Nation, by Quil Lawrence, is a good read if you want a better understanding of the Kurdish people and their history and current situation.

Response by SFC William H. made May 21 at 2017 11:39 PM

2017-05-21T23:39:12-04:00

I have always liked the military country studies.

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made May 22 at 2017 10:03 AM

2017-05-22T10:03:03-04:00

Try this one too.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/11/books/review/lawrence-in-arabia-by-scott-anderson.html

‘Lawrence in Arabia,’ by Scott Anderson

Historians have never known what to make of this scholar, writer, soldier and imperialist.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made May 22 at 2017 11:29 AM

2017-05-22T11:29:26-04:00

I think a survey of history books on the history of Israel is a must, and there are many good ones out there...

Response by MAJ Alan Reiter made May 22 at 2017 12:25 PM

2017-05-22T12:25:26-04:00

I would recommend the Old Testament the New Testament and the Koran in addition to the below reading lists.
http://www.britishmuseum.org/about_us/departments/middle_east/reading_list.aspx
https://portslibnh.wordpress.com/2017/02/04/the-reading-list-the-middle-east/
https://www.dauntbooks.co.uk/countries/middle-east/

British Museum - Reading list

Reading list recommended by the Department of the Middle East at the British Museum

Response by MAJ Keira Brennan made May 23 at 2017 10:08 AM

2017-05-23T10:08:03-04:00

Tall order young PV2 Benjamin! Great question. I would suggest Lawrence of Arabia as a primer on the modern Arab states. Didn't serve in Iraq so I am not sure of what else. I deployed to OEF in 2007 . Read up on Afghan culture with "Kite Runner" Pre-Soviet Afghanistan and the Taliban era. Charlie Wilson's War (book, not film) was a good read too. I haven't read much post 9/11 OEF that's knocked my socks off. The Soviet Era stuff gets into Afghanistan as a failed state which explains some of the corruption and problems today. With the ongoing return of Afghan refugees from Pakistan its still a good reference point. Dig into the ethno-cultural history of Afghanistan, particularly during the 1st / 2nd British Afghan wars. There's something to be said about the Pashtun tribal divisions that occurred then and resonate today (Ghilzi/Durani). Good luck!!!!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2017 12:09 PM

2017-05-23T12:09:14-04:00

It would seem there is a definite agreement on Lawrence of Arabia as a must.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2017 1:30 PM

2017-05-24T13:30:43-04:00

SPC Private RallyPoint Member if you want to understand the unrest in the area, best to research Sykes-Picot. Everything, from there, will be a building block.

Response by LCpl Steve Wininger made May 28 at 2017 12:13 AM

2017-05-28T00:13:36-04:00

When I entered college I knew I wanted to be a Middle East correspondent. I took classes in Middle East history, politics, and Islamic civilization to name a few. There are many good reads about the history of the Middle East. I would suggest reading the history from the perspective of Middle East historians as well as western historians. Edward Said's Orientalism is a book that came up in all my history and political science classes. I would also suggest reading about the Ottoman and Persian Empires as they were the dominant players in the Middle East until just after World War I. Since Islam has a significant impact on culture and politics in the Middle East, I would suggest reading about Islamic history as well. Currently I am focused on the Kurds so I am reading a couple books on Kurdish history in Iraq and Syria. I hope this helps.