The Middle East: A Guide to Politics, Economics, Society and Culture

The Middle East remains an area of surpassing interest and importance in global affairs today, resulting in a constant flow of media attention and in-depth academic scrutiny. Unfortunately, this has lead to many misperceptions about the area, its people, and their ways of life. This unique two-volume set helps clarify the region's complex history and ongoing problems--and to correct some of the misperceptions--by exploring seven areas of overarching signifcance. Rather than focus on specific conflicts, this work deals specifically with the broader issues of culture, religion, women, economics, governance, and media, as well as the role that the region's modern history has played in shaping the ways of life, values, and worldviews of its peoples.