The Arabs

Superb Book About the Arab World

This is the second book of Professor Rogan's that I have listened to (the first was the Fall of the Ottomans which I have previously reviewed). I purchased and listened to the book because I wanted to understand more about the Arab people and the source of the unrest that has plagued them and the Middle East since I can remember. I am very pleased with my purchase and although it is lengthy , I feel that I now a greater understanding the Arab people than I did before I listened to the book.
The book traces the history of the Arab world since the founding of Islam in the early seventh century AD. Despite the author's claims in his introduction, I feel that the book is divided into 5 phases: The growth of the Arab world (following founding of Islam; the Ottoman Empire and its governance through 1918; the imperialist (British and French mandate) phase of 1918 through the 1950's; the Arab Nationalist/Pharaoh Phase which lasted from the 1950's until the Iranian Revolution of 1979; and the Modern Era in which Islam has once again become the stirring force in the Arab world. Along the way we are introduced to historical figures- some of whom we have heard much of- such as Nasser, Sadat, King Hussein of Jordan, Khadafy, the Assad family in Syria and Sadam Hussein and Bath Party in Iraq; as well as some not so well known but very important personalities such as Muhammad Ali (not the fighter but the Albanian warrior who became a leading figure in the Ottoman empire and created the dynasty in Egypt), Urabi Pasha (whose rebellion led to the British occupation of Egypt) as well as well as Abd el-Krim who as leader of the Rif tribe in Morocco was able to defeat a modern Spanish army of 15,000 men after World War I. We are also introduced to the Islamic split between the Shira and Sunni Muslims which still pervades the Middle East to this day.
There were several takeaways from the book. The first was just how powerful the Islamic world was from its founding until its takeover by the Ottomans. I never also never realized that the Ottoman empire generally left the Arabs alone as long as its people paid its taxes to the Sultanate and how the change in this policy following the Young Turk Revolution in 1908 resulted in the Ottoman's rescinding this "laissez faire" attitude eventually led to the Arab revolt which was fanned by the British during World War One. Another takeaway was the perfidy of the British to the Arab Nationalists who fought in the war against the Ottomans. The British promised independence but actually tightened their grip on the Middle East by taking over Iraq, Trans Jordan and Palestine after the war (and concluding the Sykes Picot Treaty in 1916(. I also learned that many problems that now exist in the Middle East were caused by both the French (France actually carved out a Christian Lebanon from Islamic Syria following World War One which helped to cause the Lebanese Civil War and its aftermath); and how the British promises to both the Arabs (Independence) and the Jewish people (the Balfour Declaration) led to the disaster that now confronts the Palestinian Arabs and Israelis to this day.

I believe that the greatest takeaway from the book (which confirmed a theory I had) focused around the rise of Islamic Jihad in the modern day Middle East. Following World War Two, the British and French were pushed out of the Arab World by the rise of Arab nationalism led by the rise of Nasser in Egypt and his successful stance during the Suez crisis of 1956. This led to a the popularity of Nasser and his military progeny (such as Assad in Syria and Khadafy in Libya) which culminated in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war and the defeat of the Arabs by a much better equipped and trained Israeli army. This defeat (when combined with the defeat of the Arab armies in the Yom Kippor war in 1972) led to the decline of Arab Nationalism and left the Arab world open the rise of radical Islam which took flight in 1979 following the Iranian revolution and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan (and which the world is now having to confront and contest even to this day). For me I believe, the book conveyed to me that the Arab people have a great tradition which has been dissipated by both outside forces and the in fighting that has taken place among them. It will be interesting to see if the Arab world can overcome these divisions and unify.

In summary, I believe that the book is a well worthwhile listen that anyone who wants to learn more about the Arab world should listen to. It is long and there is a tremendous information that is being hurled at the listener (as the author moves from era to ear and country to country), but there is a lot of great information in the book and the narration by Derrick Perkins (who also narrated the Fall of the Ottomans) is good.

23 of 23 people found this review helpful

A must listen for anyone interested in current events

This book is an excellent overview of Arab history and should be listened to by anyone interested in, and confused by, current events in the Middle East. The only way to understand the present is to study the past. Well written, and well narrated.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

Excellent Education

I am grateful for the author's treatment of this important subject. I now understand the common threads that tie together events remembered as distinct. Many nations have had a hand in creating the environment that made it possible for people to commit so many atrocities. We in the west should commit ourselves to learning about this region from sources other than the press and politicians.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Learned much about the Arabs

Found the book intense as it criticized the US, but understand that some criticism is due. It's easy, however, to find fault looking back. Nonetheless, I learns a lot and have modified my position regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

6 of 7 people found this review helpful

Disproportionate emphasis on the last 125 years

I had expected more of a historical review of the Arab culture. This book starts with the Ottoman Empire and spends as much of the first half of the book on the Ottomans and the Arabs. The second half of the book covers more recent events which are well covered in numerous texts.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

A dense history of modern and early modern arabia

If you could sum up The Arabs in three words, what would they be?

detailed, but cyclical

What did you like best about this story?

I enjoyed the political details delved into so deeply

What about Derek Perkins’s performance did you like?

His pronunciations of Arabic names was impressive

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The story of the founding of the Saudi kingdom

Any additional comments?

half or more of the book is the 20th century. The book starts in the 16th century. If you're looking for the Arab enlightenment look elsewhere. This is mostly on the rise and fall of Arab nationalism.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

excellent primer

excellent primer / review - simultaneously broad enough for one with no background yet discrete enough to improve knowledge base of one with better than average background

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

In Depth Information & History--A Great Resource

This work presents detailed history that explains not only "where we are" but also "how we got here." If you are serious about understanding this part of the world's people, it is a must-read.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

An in depth less biased view of Arab history

This work is a long detailed attempt at describing the complex history of the Arabs. The task is daunting and its attempt to be thorough is at times academic and slow. The patient listener is rewarded with a view of history less tainted by a western view than other sources I have read.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Biased but worthwhile

This is a good way to understand the Arab view of the last 200 odd years. It's extremely biased, though, once it gets past WWII. I'd say it goes from being a history of the Arabs to the Arab take on Israel with all the usual half-truths.

As just one example, in dealing with the peace negotiations of 2000 and 2001 the author says Israel offered more than ever before, but it wasn't enough. The author doesn't give an actual percentage or an explanation of why it wasn't enough. It is more a statement of opinion than an historical analysis or explanation. Throughout, he states it as a fact that Arafat wanted a two state solution without considering the alternative view that might explain Arafat's decision to not make peace in 2001.

That said, even going back to 1967 and particularly 1973 there are some interesting tidbits that I never knew before and do provide a different, useful perspective. I recommend this, but you have to be prepared to either get annoyed if you disagree or be aware of the bias if you don't already have an understanding of the history.

6 of 9 people found this review helpful