A “fair, clear-eyed” breakdown of the history, the culture, and the politics that define today’s Middle East (Geoffrey Wawro).
The Middle East is rich with culture and complexity. To many, it is the epicenter of political and religious conflict—a hotbed of unrest. Untangling the Middle East is a layman’s guide to the history and challenges plaguing the region. Ori Z. Soltes breaks down the major interests and actors—from Israel to ISIS—and pieces together a narrative of the evolution of violence in the territory.
Whether discussing the history of the Semitic peoples or the birth of Islam, Soltes brings insight and much needed context to the people, places, and issues that make up the inheritance of today’s Middle East. With an historian’s appreciation for detail and a teacher’s knack for fashioning coherence out of intricate material, this book is a go-to resource for understanding the area and a bulwark against the disinformation often found on cable television or in campaign speeches. The Middle East may be messy, but it need not be a mystery.
