The Middle East

Any book which covers both the Crusades and the life of Mohammed in less than two pages make a statement of intent. This is not a book designed to be a history of conflict or religion, per se, but rather an overview of the background to the societies of the Middle East as a way of giving an understanding of how things have turned out the way they are. Hence only the first third of the book covers middle eastern history, with there being just as much emphasis on culture & society and modernity. His overviews of middle eastern life - covering the 'elites', 'commonality' and 'religion and law', show deep insights into the roots and progression of the Islamic way of life and psyche. His take on Islamic religion and law is most illuminating and is well worth reading for those who want to try and understand the political and religious events happening currently in the Middle East. One has to understand the meaning of Jihad and the innate conservatism of Islam (bearing in mind that it comes from a warrior culture) to try and understand the mindset of current world events.

Unfortunately any book written before 9/11 has become dated in the sense that there is a new player in the Islamist world in the form of global terrorism and so reassessments have to be made as to what impact this will have in future middle eastern - and indeed - world history and politics.

It is certainly a fascinating and insightful discourse on 2,000 years of history and culture of the world's most volatile and sensitive location.