The Modern Middle East: A History - James L. Gelvin

Review by Alexandra Menter

The short:

James Gelvin provides a brief, but dense, history of the Middle East through the impact of European and American imperialism, capitalism, nationalism, and the nation-state system to contextualize current events in the region. This includes the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, wider issues of continued political and economic instability, and authoritarianism in the region.

The long:

Gelvin examines the complex and intersecting histories of multiple Middle Eastern and North African countries, including Egypt, Turkey, Syria, and Israel/Palestine, spanning approximately 400 years. Beginning in the 16th century, he traces the history of the Middle East from late “late antiquity” through the rise and fall of the Ottoman Empire, the Industrial Revolution, Western imperialism, colonization, the mandate period, Arab nationalism, and the eventual foundation of modern nation-states that comprise the present-day Middle East. Between these major historical events, Gelvin also discusses cultural shifts, linguistic developments, and economic changes within the region. Gelvin traces ancient history into modern times, focusing on the ways that history has impacted and shaped modern issues in the region; including the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Arab Spring, and the rise of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

To read or not to read:

Read! This is a great book for anyone who is looking to get an introduction to Middle Eastern history, and how major historical events have shaped modern regional politics. My favorite part of this book is Gelvin’s use of maps and photographs to supplement his research. It can be beneficial to use these maps as a visual reference while you’re reading about a specific moment in ancient history, for example.