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Title: Empires of the Sand: The Struggle for Mastery in the Middle East, 1789-1923 by Efraim Karsh, Inari Karsh ISBN: 0-674-00541-4 Publisher: Harvard Univ Pr Pub. Date: April, 2001 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4 (12 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Excellent foundation in Mid-East history.
Comment: This is an excellent study by Efraim and Inari Karsh of the Middle East and it's political & military history, it's struggles and the agendas of those peoples and individuals involved.
They have drawn on a considerable number of archival sources and constructed an extremely thorough and scholarly examination and evaluation of what is quite a complex regional history. ...
Suffice to say, this is a detailed study and some of the issues are themselves quite complex, yet this book is a rewarding and educating read for those with an interest in the region, it's history and it's peoples.
The book ably reveals how we have arrived at the 'all-too-tragic', 'all-too-familiar' politics of violence & frustration seen not only during the early 20th century, but also during the present day.
I recommend this book be also read in conjunction with "A Peace to End All Peace: The Fall of the Ottoman Empire and the Creation of the Modern Middle East" by David Fromkin AND "From Time Immemorial: The Origins of the Arab-Jewish Conflict over Palestine" by Joan Peters. ...
Rating: 5
Summary: A good account of Middle Eastern history 18c-1923
Comment: I read this knowing very little about middle east history, and found it a very good overview. Written well, and flows good. I liked the argument, and found it convincing. The authors argue that actors with in the middle east had far more influence over events than usually suggested. Middle Eastern actors weren't just passive receptors of history, but influenced the course which history in that time span. This is an important account, particularly when most of the time you hear that "the European powers carved up the middle east with not regard to the inhabitants, leading to the problems that regions faces now." In fact, (this is not part of Efraim Karsh, Inari Karsh argument) the countries drawn out by the great powers were already regions during the Ottoman rule and not just 'carved up with no regard in Paris and London.' A good book for those unfamiliar with the region's history and an important argument for those who are.
Rating: 4
Summary: A struggle among equal players
Comment: For a provocative thesis on the geography of the modern Middle East, one could look to Empires of the Sand, Efraim and Inari Karsh's bold acquittal of most of the accusations leveled at the West over the partitioning of the Ottoman Empire after the First World War. The text actually covers a broader range of topics, with only the latter two thirds concerning the fall of the Ottomans. In broader terms, Karsh disputes the notion that modern day problems were all brought about by Western diplomats, often accused of being any of greedy, arrogant, ignorant, imperialistic, condescending, manipulative, or obstructionist.
The text starts with Egypt. Several chapters show that it was forces within the Ottoman Empire, both in Egypt and in the capitol, that led to Egypt's breaking away from the empire (in fact, if not formally). Though western countries were involved, it was often to help out the Ottoman leadership rather than to work against it.
This last point is important. Rather than seeking to destroy the "sick man of Europe", the other great powers went to great lengths to prop it up, and this was typically done in response to explicit requests by the Empire. The Nineteenth Century played itself out in this way. This is, of course, fully consistent with imperial politics of the era. No great powers wanted to see other great powers fail, for fear of what the political vacuum would bring.
Finally, we get to World War 1. Karsh asserts that the Ottoman Empire, rather than being pushed into the war by the Entente powers, was encouraged by them to stay out, and mildly courted by Germany. Rather, it was the young Turks and their desire for power and furtherance of their empire that led the Ottoman Empire into the war. It saw Germany as the eventual victor and wanted to tag along at Germany's coat tails in hopes of territorial gain.
The final major theme was the post-war division. It is true that the Western power divided up the empire. They did the same to the Austro-Hungarian Empire as well, and severely re-designed Germany's political structure. This happens to the losing side in a war. But rather than seeing the Middle East as populated by honest Arab nationalists, thwarted by the West, the main players in the region were quite competent and skillful. Further, there was no overarching Arab nationalism. The Hashemites, who lost Saudi Arabia but gained Transjordan and Mesopotamia (Iraq), wanted empire of their own. And they were supported at best by small numbers of their own people. And on a current topic of interest, it is true that Iraq is an odd conglomeration of populations. But Britain's main contribution to this was simply fusing three provinces of the Ottomans - Baghdad, Basra, and Mosul. The exterior borders were already there, and had been for some time. This is also the way the new king wanted it.
So much for the thesis. I'm not enough of an expert to say for certain that this book will overturn history as it is known. But the case is compelling. The largest fault I could find was stylistic - namely that it moved quickly and jerkily through many topics. I found it hard to follow at times. But on the whole it is still well worth the effort to get a feel for how Mid East - West relations have really gone.
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Title: A Peace to End All Peace: The Fall of the Ottoman Empire and the Creation of the Modern Middle East by David Fromkin ISBN: 0805068848 Publisher: Owl Books Pub. Date: 01 September, 2001 List Price(USD): $20.00 |
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Title: The Palestine War 1948 by Efraim Karsh ISBN: 1841763721 Publisher: Osprey Pub Co Pub. Date: September, 2002 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: Arafat's War: The Man and His Battle for Israeli Conquest by Efraim Karsh ISBN: 0802117589 Publisher: Grove Press Pub. Date: October, 2003 List Price(USD): $25.00 |
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Title: Paris 1919 : Six Months That Changed the World by Margaret MacMillan ISBN: 0375760520 Publisher: Random House Trade Paperbacks Pub. Date: 09 September, 2003 List Price(USD): $16.95 |
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Title: Seven Pillars of Wisdom : A Triumph by T.E. Lawrence ISBN: 0385418957 Publisher: Anchor Pub. Date: 01 June, 1991 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
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