A Concise History of the Middle East, 8th ed.

In a discipline rich in studies addressing the multifarious aspects of theMiddle East, a publication exploring the region’s history fromthe pre-Islamicperiod to the present confronts a fervent contest in establishing itself as anotable work. As the authors of A Concise History of the Middle East indicatefrom the outset, the challenge of conveying the relevance of past eventsto contemporary affairs is both complex yet essential. For Arthur GoldschmidtJr. and Lawrence Davidson, the course is well-worn, as their publicationenters its eighth edition since 1979.With a plethora of maps depictingthe transitory regional borders dating from the Byzantine period to the presentday, alongside cogent depictions of the Hashemite lineage and the Ottomansultans and a piquant narrative, Goldschmidt and Davidson provide anaccount that proves – although directed toward undergraduate students andneophytes to the Middle East – a satisfying meander through regional triumphsand despairs over the course of twenty-one chapters.Consigned as “a dreary bore, a dead subject suited only to cranks,antique-lovers, or perhaps a few students seeking bits of small talk withwhich to impress their peers” (p. 2), the authors grapple with the waningallure of history in contemporary society in their introduction. Aware of thelimitations, the opening chapter strives to rouse the reader with a swiftassessment of the Middle East’s global contributions to language, religion,philosophy, mathematics, and science.Avoiding the plaintive plea to comprehendthe origins of the current conflicts, the authors combine drollness withfacts to ensure that the narrative does not falter and reiterate poignant questionsthroughout the publication, such as: “AsAmericans, who may at times ...