No man could hope to draw together the various fields from which the materials of this book are derived if he were a scholar in any one of them. No one could feel less scholarly than I do. This becomes particularly evident when the subject of Arabic transliteration arises, as it always does in forewords to books on the Middle East. I have before me the handiwork of Hitti, Gibb, and Calverley, three men whose erudition and integrity are of the highest order, and yet I cannot find complete agreement among them.1

CARAVAN: THE STORY Of THE MIDDLE EAST by CARLETON S. COON. FOREWORD: No MAN COULD HOPE to draw together the various fields from which the materials of this book are derived if he were a scholar in any one of them. No one could feel less scholarly than I do. This becomes particularly evident when the subject of Arabic transliteration arises, as it always does in forewords to books on the Middle East. I have before me the handiwork of Hitti, Gibb, and Calverley, three men whose erudition and integrity are of the highest order, and yet I cannot find complete agreement among them. Take the word for judge. Hitti spells it qadi, Gibb adlf and Calverley qadl. At this point the lay reader may exclaim, So what? but the lay reader does not review these books. To the myopic dotter of i's and Crosser of t's, a dot under a consonant or a macron over a vowel are matters of utmost importance. The presence or absence of a dot under the k will distinguish between the word for heart and that for dog. Only a heartless dog would countenance such confusion. To avoid it I sought the aid of a most kindly and scholarly gentle man who has much more to offer than spelling: Dr. E. E. Calverley of the Hartford Seminary Foundation, editor of the Muslim World, a man of profound erudition and wisdom, as well as long editorial experience. He read the manuscript from beginning to end. His polite but firmly expressed corrections appeared on many pages, and not one of them has been ignored. He has grasped my arm on the brink of many a pitfall, theological and historical as well as ortho graphic. If despite his efforts I may be shown to have fallen in here and there, please be assured that I have not drawn him with me. For a scholar of his stature to have had the grace to bother with this work places him beyond the level of possible contamination. ....

This study argues that the Middle East is no drab veiled monolith; it is a vibrant chaotic region, often alarming to the newcomer, ever changing but also unchanging. Its paradoxes are reflected in contributions to this volume.

The changing fortunes of the largest UK producer of caravans and motorhomes

The Middle East: An Anthropological Approach presents a cogent analysis of the great impact economic and political change imposes on the Middle East. Socio-political complexities inherent to this highly volatile region are thoroughly emphasized: political and religious authority; communal, national, and religious loyalties; family and personal ties shaping Middle Eastern societies and cultures. -- Back cover.

In this comprehensive study, first published in 1950, Professor Fisher examines all the principal elements – physical and human – that influence environment, development and ways of life in the Middle East. An analysis of the physical basis of the region is followed by detailed treatment of the complex human and social aspects; a concluding section brings together, on a regional basis, the elements discussed in the first two parts. With first-hand experience within the Middle East, Fisher presents a detailed and fascinating study, based on surveys and investigations he personally carried out. Including wide-ranging geographical, historical, sociological and political perspectives, this title provides essential background to anyone with an interest in Middle Eastern affairs.

The great cities of the Middle East and North Africa have long attracted the attention and interest of historians. With the discovery and wider use over the last few decades of Islamic court records and Ottoman administrative documents, our knowledge of Middle Eastern cities between the seventeenth and early twentieth centuries has vastly expanded. Drawing upon a treasure trove of documents and using a variety of methodologies, the contributors succeed in providing a significant overview of the ways in which Middle Eastern cities can be studied, as well as an excellent introduction to current literature in the field.

As an introduction to the history of this turbulent region from the beginnings of Islam to the present day, the book is distinguished by its clear style, broad scope, and balanced treatment. Written for college students, the text assumes no prior knowledge of Middle Eastern history. It focuses on the evolution of Islamic institutions and culture, the influence of the West, the modernization efforts of Middle Eastern governments, the struggle of various peoples for political independence, the course of the Arab-Israeli conflict, the reassertion of Islamic values and power, the aftermath of the Gulf War, and issues surrounding the Palestinian Question. The sixth edition also includes a detailed and updated chronology of events from 570 to 1994, a glossary of names and terms, and a bibliographic essay listing books and other sources that will prove helpful to both teachers and students.