Much has been written in recent years about the Middle East. At the same time, no other region has been as misunderstood, nor framed in so many clichés and mistakenly-held beliefs. In this much-needed exposé Fred Halliday selects one hundred of the most commonly misconstrued 'facts' - in the political, cultural, social and historical spheres - and illuminates each case without compromising its underlying complexities. The Israel-Palestine crisis, the Iran-Iraq war, the US-led Gulf incursions, the Afghan-Soviet conflict and other significant milestones in modern Middle East history come under scrutiny here, with conclusions that will surprise and enlighten many for going so persuasively against the grain. 'A writer of true calibre.' Independent 'Fred Halliday's grasp of the Middle East makes him an invaluable source of readable and authoritative material on the main issues.' Irish Times 'Fascinating reading ... Challenging proverbial 'wisdom', pat answers and politically motivated lies, he addresses 100 common misconceptions about the Middle East and how the region figures into US and European foreign policy.' Jordan Times

Storytelling is such an integral part of Middle Eastern culture that it's unsurprising that Scheherazade spun tales to save her own life in 1,001 Nights. This volume recounts the legends of the region, spanning several cultures. The book provides historical and cultural context to create a vivid understanding of Middle Eastern lore.

Collects stories from ancient Middle Eastern mythology, including the Babylonian creation story, the mythical life of Gilgamesh, king of Uruk, the Canaanite origin of the seasons myth, and the stories of Mesopotamian gods and goddesses.

In this much-needed and enlightening book Halliday debunks one hundred of the most commonly misconstrued 'facts' concerning the Middle East - in the political, cultural, social and historical spheres. He gets to the heart of each matter in a straightforward and simple manner that illuminates the issues without compromising their underlying complexities. the Afghan-Soviet conflict and other significant milestones in modern Middle East history come under scrutiny here, with conclusions that will surprise and enlighten many for going so seemingly and persuasively against the grain of commonly held (mis)perceptions.

In this reference book, the powerful and enthralling tales of Egypt, Persia, Sumer, Asia Minor and Babylon are all revealed. With an accessible A-Z structure, it is a guide to gods and goddesses, heroes, sacred animals, buildings and places.

In the last sixty years, Israel has faced seven different wars. During that time, the country has been under immense scrutiny and been the recipient of false accusations. This leaves the public with many questions: Does Israel want peace with the Arab nations? How do Islamic views affect Israel? Using a number of sources, Mitchell G. Bard uncovers Israel's true history. His book includes the following: � A discussion of various wars involving Israel (including the war of 1948) � Multiple maps that help the reader visualize the wars � An analysis of terrorism directed at Israel � An alphabetical index � A discussion of the media's role in how it portrays Israel � A review of successful and unsuccessful peace efforts � An overview of US-Israel relations Bard also offers a synopsis of Israel's roots, beginning with the great myth: that the Jews have no claim to their own land. Bard focuses on Israel's relationships with neighboring countries, but he also includes suggested readings for those interested in further research. You'll learn about the Jewish Virtual Library, an online source that's constantly updated and offers reliable options for study. Dive into this versatile read as Bard investigates common myths about Israel and reveals the truth.