Modern Middle East, The: From Imperialism to Freedom 1800-1958

Rating:
Summary: Not bad, but hardly ideology-proof
Review: Bogle's Modern Middle East is, by far, one of the best historical accounts that I've read on this region; his obvious historical training and meticulous research skills have produced an excellent "all-inclusive" narrative that leaves no stone unturned, as he examines every country in the region; each chapter opens with a detailed time table of events that allows even the most naive reader to follow the history as it unfolds and see its connectedness to other developments: Zionist conflicts, the disappearance of Palestine, Arab Nationalism...it's all there; this is a MUST read--a shockingly accurate, detailed read"; I hope there's a Part II!!

Rating:
Summary: "A shockingly accurate, detailed read"
Review: Bogle's Modern Middle East is, by far, one of the best historical accounts that I've read on this region; his obvious historical training and meticulous research skills have produced an excellent "all-inclusive" narrative that leaves no stone unturned, as he examines every country in the region; each chapter opens with a detailed time table of events that allows even the most naive reader to follow the history as it unfolds and see its connectedness to other developments: Zionist conflicts, the disappearance of Palestine, Arab Nationalism...it's all there; this is a MUST read--a shockingly accurate, detailed read"; I hope there's a Part II!!

Rating:
Summary: Not bad, but hardly ideology-proof
Review: I had Dr Bogle as a teacher at the U. of Richmond. His class was taught from his two books found on this site. I first thought it was odd that the entire class was based on his own writings. There's a well-rounded perspective for you. This book bends over backwards in parts to explain away bad deeds by Muslims. The genocide perpetrated on Armenians by Turks in 1915 is DENIED. Amazing. If you can overlook that, and similar whitewashing of other events, it's a halfway decent overview on the region, if you're really interested in the subtleties of Arab dictatorships.