Peoples and Cultures of the Middle East (2nd Edition)

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This book provides readers with a topical, social-anthropological introduction to the Middle East. It synthesizes historical, ethnographic, and socioeconomic data within a social science framework., and places in proper context the region's distinctive “way of life”—which has always been at the crossroads of cultures and civilizations. Comprehensive and straightforward coverage includes distinctive theoretical forms without the use of social science jargon.. Chapter topics include the prophet, religion, identity, and culture of Islam; communal identities and ethnic groups; pastoralism and nomadic society; agriculture and the changing village; cities and urban life; women and the social order; leadership, patronage, and tribalism as local organizations of power; and challenges and dilemmas facing the Middle East today. For individuals who want to explore problems, patterns, and cultural processes of the area known as the “central Middle East.”

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Customer Reviews

Review by I.B., 2010-06-17

A good book to present the basics of the Middle Eastern culture. It coveres different aspects from history of Islam to politics and community identities. It also bring examples from different countries. It is easy to read and brings a big amout of information

Review by Judy Rita Xiong, 2008-10-07

This book was not new...it had mess up edge like what the seller notes. The insides were good conditions. It took more than the expected date of arrival...

Review by Anonymous, 2001-06-08

Two New York professors have written a clear, non-bombastic account of the varied peoples, and their cultures, who have populated the Middle East for thousands of years. Because there are far more Arab and Turkic peoples in the region, the book focuses far more on them than on the Jewish communities or on Israel. But the latter country is not overlooked, and there are a fair number of references and explanations of Jewish issues. The authors take an anthropological, rather than a political science, view of the region, which makes for easier reading, and keeps the reader from having to wonder about the hidden meaning of each statement.

They look at the early history, with migration a big factor, the arrival and growth of Islam, first as a religion and then, quickly, as a political force, farming practices, the growth of cities, familial ans social issues and development of contemporary political states.

This book is well worth the time of people who wonder about the many ethnic groups in the Mideast, especially those who think there are just two sides and two kinds of people there contending for the same ground. They don't spend a lot of time laying arguments out for who should control what part of Jerusalem; they're too busy talking about things in a longer range historical context.

Though written for the academic world, it is an easy read, offering us a thorough perspective into a vital part of the world.