ME/NA history

[UmmSqueakster 54]

Ok, so I studied Middle Eastern politics on several occasions in college, but alas, what goes in definately comes out after finals. So, I'm going to start reading some books on the region again so I can intelligently converse with my husband about certain issues.

This is one of the books I have on the subject left over from my college days. I have more, but cna't for the life of me remember what they are. Can anyone recommend any other good ones? I'm especially interested in the 20th century onwards.

A History of the Modern Middle East

In terms of videos, one that I saw in college that really stuck in my mind was The Battle of Algiers.

[samir_shannon 0]

rahma i know this is off the topic but, u have some beautiful pictures! i love them!

[UmmSqueakster 54]

rahma i know this is off the topic but, u have some beautiful pictures! i love them!

Thanks

[jordanianprincess 0]

Ok, so I studied Middle Eastern politics on several occasions in college, but alas, what goes in definately comes out after finals. So, I'm going to start reading some books on the region again so I can intelligently converse with my husband about certain issues.

This is one of the books I have on the subject left over from my college days. I have more, but cna't for the life of me remember what they are. Can anyone recommend any other good ones? I'm especially interested in the 20th century onwards.

A History of the Modern Middle East

In terms of videos, one that I saw in college that really stuck in my mind was The Battle of Algiers.

Six Days of War: June 1967 and the Making of the Modern Middle East by Michael B. Oren

[iceyspots 0]

In terms of videos, one that I saw in college that really stuck in my mind was The Battle of Algiers.

Allahu akbar, Tahya Djazayer!!!!

[Henia 11]

Esalaamu Aleikum dear sister Rahma...

Yet another thought intellecual and thought provoking post...Jazak Allah kheiran sis.

Well as we all know here, the MENA is close our hearts as the majority of the Net surfers who wander into these forum have loved ones from the region.And we all have some type of "education" about the MENA.

I say Bravo and Good Luck to you sister Rahma...as I found it ever so complicated yet amusing to speak or debate with a native MENA about the history and politics...LoL...

The Middle is a historical and cultural centre, called the Cradle of Civilsation by many, so to me anyone who has some intellect should learn the region's history and culture.

In the West the Middle East is generally thought of as a predominantly Islamic and Arabic community defined by frequent war and conflict. However the area encompasses many distinct cultural and ethnic and religious groups, including the Arabs, Armenians, Assyrians, Azeris, Berbers(Kabiyles), Chaldeans, Druze, Greeks, Jews, Kurds, Maronites, Persians and Turkis. And the main language groups include: Arabic ( and its various dialects), Armenian, Aramaic, Berber, Hebrew, Persian, Kurdish and Turkis.

Some www in regards to the topics :

www.islamicity.com/mosque/ihame/Sec4.htm

http://www.lib.umich.edu/govdocs/arabis.html

http://home.utah.edu/~jwr9311/MENA.html

http://www.library.cornell.edu/colldev/mideast/histmod.htm

http://mid-easthistory.gather.com/

And some books I have read and recommend :

Banerji, J. K., The Middle East in world politics

Al-Azmeh, Aziz, Arabic Thought and Islamic Societies

Abboushi, W. F., Political systems of the Middle East in the 20th century

Archer, Jules, Legacy of the desert : understanding the Arabs

Carmichael, Joel., The shaping of the Arabs; a study in ethnic identity

Abed Al-Jabri, Mohammed, Arab-Islamic Philosophy : A Contemporary Critique (Middle East Monograph Series),

Ajami, Fouad, The Arab Predicament : Arab Political Thought and Practice Since 1967

Denoeux, Guilain, Urban unrest in the Middle East

Choueiri, Youssef, Arab Nationalism: A History

Hibbard, Scott W. and David Little, Islamic activism and U.S. foreign policy

Ajami, Fouad, Dream Palace of the Arabs : A Generation's Odyssey,

Abu-Odeh, Adnan, Jordanians, Palestinians, and the Hashemite Kingdom in the Middle East Peace Process

Hanna, Nelly, Money, Land and Trade: An Economic History of the Muslim Mediterranean

Kapoor, Ashok, International business in the Middle East: case studies

And the film Battle of Algiers, everytime I see that box with the women screaming in the cover makes me laugh. All that pops in my head is Allah Akbar! Long live Algeria !!!! (hehehee)

Although nearly forty years since being filmed is more timely than ever – especially for Americans, given the American involvement in a (contemporary) colonial war in the Middle East.

If you havn't seen this film, you cannot begin to imagine Italian director Gillo Pontecorvo’s extraordinary achievement in this film. The acting is so natural and convincing that many, even some critics assumed that the film was a grainy documentary.

I realldy did appreciate this film and perhaps Bravo, IFC or another film channel will soon schedule The Battle of Algiers to be shown. And the new anti-war movement, soldiers in Iraq, their families back in the U.S., and refugees of all these war zones should all see this film and ponder its implications.

Unfortunely I know more about History history (anicent and medievel) but hopefully some these links are helpful...

Allah Maaki

Peace and Blessings

Henia

[sarah and hicham 3]

rahma i know this is off the topic but, u have some beautiful pictures! i love them!

What pictures!?

[UmmSqueakster 54]

rahma i know this is off the topic but, u have some beautiful pictures! i love them!

What pictures!?

Sorry, I just removed em, didn't want certain elements of the blog world culling them for her website. Bleck.

[Bosco 1]

So many great suggestions!

Of course Moroccan history intrigues me most these days.

I am currently reading:

Fez: City of Islam

On my next up list:

Morocco that Was

Morocco: The Islamist Awakening and Other Challenges

and

Morocco: From Empire to Independence

A great broader read is A Peace to End All Peace

So much history focuses on the downfalls of societies and political systems, so while fascinating, I tend to prefer memoir/biographies by Arab writers. This way, I get a personal story that illustrates how the political/social context impacted them as an individual, seen through an individual's eyes rather than a historian's.

[Henia 11]

Esalaamu Aleikum...

They are actually showing Battle of Algiers on TNT (I believe it is TNT) right now since 12noon EST...if anyone didnt see this film or is interested I am sure they will be showing it again, check your local listings...

Jazak Allah Kheiran

Peace and Blessings...