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A Modern History of Syria Including Lebanon and Palestine
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January 27, 2025
Quite a detailed, well-researched, and fairly even-handed account of history in the region that today encompasses Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine, and parts of Turkey (Alexandretta). Iraq, Jordan, Mecca, Egypt, and Istanbul are also important characters in this story, as are Moscow, London, Berlin, and Paris. The author describes interlocking mechanisms and event chains far better than most writers on this topic, even if he is a little dry at times.
There are so many moving parts in the history of this region, from diverse religious affiliations, variable alliances, instances of governmental instability, and resource crises. This is a place where the Druze, Jews, Orthodox Christians, Maronite Christians, Alawites, Kurds, Armenians, Bedouins, Turks, and Arabs have all called home, after all. Despite this complexity, which the author acknowledges and handles well, I found many of the themes present in this book (authored in 1969) still hold true today. Little did I know when I started this book to learn about Lebanon, that the dictatorship in Syria would fall by the time I finished it.
Lastly, the author's insight is to be commended. His points remain questions of history, and this book still resounds today: How do countries in this region deal with foreign influence? How is consensus built in the face of such diversity? What is to be done about Israel? What is the place of Arab nationalism? How can armed forces build strength brought under civilian control? How can governments help raise economies and standards of living against the backdrop of the cards in the hands they've been dealt?
I would recommend this book. Its descriptive capacity is its best asset, and the scrupulous detail and examination of Arab points of view are extremely informative.
There are so many moving parts in the history of this region, from diverse religious affiliations, variable alliances, instances of governmental instability, and resource crises. This is a place where the Druze, Jews, Orthodox Christians, Maronite Christians, Alawites, Kurds, Armenians, Bedouins, Turks, and Arabs have all called home, after all. Despite this complexity, which the author acknowledges and handles well, I found many of the themes present in this book (authored in 1969) still hold true today. Little did I know when I started this book to learn about Lebanon, that the dictatorship in Syria would fall by the time I finished it.
Lastly, the author's insight is to be commended. His points remain questions of history, and this book still resounds today: How do countries in this region deal with foreign influence? How is consensus built in the face of such diversity? What is to be done about Israel? What is the place of Arab nationalism? How can armed forces build strength brought under civilian control? How can governments help raise economies and standards of living against the backdrop of the cards in the hands they've been dealt?
I would recommend this book. Its descriptive capacity is its best asset, and the scrupulous detail and examination of Arab points of view are extremely informative.
Displaying 1 of 1 review