The definitive history of the Middle East now updated in its fifth editionThe best overall survey of the politics regional rivalries and economics of the contemporary Arab world Washington PostOver the centuries the Middle East has confounded the dreams of conquerors and peacemakers alike. This nowclassic book follows the historic struggles of the region over the last two hundred years from Napoleons assault on Egypt through the slow decline and fall of the Ottoman Empire to the painful emergence of modern nations. It is now fully updated with extensive new material examining recent developments including the aftermaths of the Arab Spring the continuing ArabIsraeli conflict and the Syrian and Yemeni civil wars.An excellent political overview Guardian