--- product_id: 17343977 title: "The Modern Middle East: A History" price: "£66.44" currency: GBP in_stock: true reviews_count: 8 url: https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/17343977-the-modern-middle-east-a-history store_origin: GB region: United Kingdom --- # The Modern Middle East: A History **Price:** £66.44 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** The Modern Middle East: A History - **How much does it cost?** £66.44 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.co.uk](https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/17343977-the-modern-middle-east-a-history) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description desertcart.com: The Modern Middle East: A History: 9780190218867: Gelvin, James L.: Books Review: Brilliant insight with plenty of examples from throughout the Islamic world - James Gelvin's text is far and away the best brief introduction to the modern Middle East. It is well written and easy to read, and his insights and interception of the broader themes in Middle Eastern history are both original and well-supported. After a brief introduction to Islam and the Gunpowder Empires of the Ottomans, Safavids and Mughals, Gelvin shows how the emergence of the commercial and industrialized West provided a challenge to the culture, institutions and values of the Islamic Near East. Melvin destroys the notion that there is a "clash of civilizations" between the Islamic world and the West, and similarly wrecks the perspective that the Islamic world has "bloody borders". Rather, he posits that the Modern Middle East is the result of several factors: "defensive developmentalism", "constitutionalism" and "imperialism". The impact the growing economic (and later technological and political) power that the West brought to bear on the Islamic world has influenced its shape as the Islamic world on one had sought to adapt, lean and borrow from Europe, while on the other hand, Europe was seeking to exploit and influence the Near East to its own devices. I was particularly pleased to see that attention was given to the Maghreb and Persia as well as to the eastern Mediterranean, an important detail that is often overlooked in general texts on the subject. Gelatin's discussion of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was also masterfully done , especially his summary of the Olso Accords and his analysis for their failure. (His optimism for the region was heartening.) The final few chapters, on the Middle East in the late 20th and early 21st centuries were the strongest, I thought, but only because of the careful foundation he set in the previous chapters of the book. The only complaint I have with the text is the lack of maps and a clearer timeline of events which, I think, would make it easier for those not familiar with places and major players and events to get a sense of location and sequence. For those interested in an excellent history (and outstanding analysis) of the Middle East from the middle of the 19th century into the early 21st century, this is the book I would recommend. I can also imagine it as the primary text for a 200-level course on the Middle East. Review: A different approach - Shorter than most texts on the region but deals well with the essentials. Different approach to the subject. Not simply chronological - more topical, and connects within those topics & subjects to today's conditions. Students should find it easy to follow. I teach this subject and I am learning new things! Has a definite point of view, but not polemic or one-dimensional. Connects the region's history to world history to provide excellent context. ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | #901,322 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #129 in Middle Eastern History (Books) #2,600 in Middle East History | | Customer Reviews | 4.4 out of 5 stars 142 Reviews | ## Images ![The Modern Middle East: A History - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41c4HmFPDaL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Brilliant insight with plenty of examples from throughout the Islamic world *by D***N on September 5, 2016* James Gelvin's text is far and away the best brief introduction to the modern Middle East. It is well written and easy to read, and his insights and interception of the broader themes in Middle Eastern history are both original and well-supported. After a brief introduction to Islam and the Gunpowder Empires of the Ottomans, Safavids and Mughals, Gelvin shows how the emergence of the commercial and industrialized West provided a challenge to the culture, institutions and values of the Islamic Near East. Melvin destroys the notion that there is a "clash of civilizations" between the Islamic world and the West, and similarly wrecks the perspective that the Islamic world has "bloody borders". Rather, he posits that the Modern Middle East is the result of several factors: "defensive developmentalism", "constitutionalism" and "imperialism". The impact the growing economic (and later technological and political) power that the West brought to bear on the Islamic world has influenced its shape as the Islamic world on one had sought to adapt, lean and borrow from Europe, while on the other hand, Europe was seeking to exploit and influence the Near East to its own devices. I was particularly pleased to see that attention was given to the Maghreb and Persia as well as to the eastern Mediterranean, an important detail that is often overlooked in general texts on the subject. Gelatin's discussion of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was also masterfully done , especially his summary of the Olso Accords and his analysis for their failure. (His optimism for the region was heartening.) The final few chapters, on the Middle East in the late 20th and early 21st centuries were the strongest, I thought, but only because of the careful foundation he set in the previous chapters of the book. The only complaint I have with the text is the lack of maps and a clearer timeline of events which, I think, would make it easier for those not familiar with places and major players and events to get a sense of location and sequence. For those interested in an excellent history (and outstanding analysis) of the Middle East from the middle of the 19th century into the early 21st century, this is the book I would recommend. I can also imagine it as the primary text for a 200-level course on the Middle East. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A different approach *by D***S on January 10, 2020* Shorter than most texts on the region but deals well with the essentials. Different approach to the subject. Not simply chronological - more topical, and connects within those topics & subjects to today's conditions. Students should find it easy to follow. I teach this subject and I am learning new things! Has a definite point of view, but not polemic or one-dimensional. Connects the region's history to world history to provide excellent context. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ I really like how Gelvin approaches the Middle East *by A***R on December 10, 2015* I really like how Gelvin approaches the Middle East. He has some very interesting views, and summarizes main events very neatly. Great writing style, easy to understand, easy to get through, great content and very entertaining as well as informative. Adapted to talk about the Arab Springs and their aftermath. Highly recommended. --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/17343977-the-modern-middle-east-a-history](https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/17343977-the-modern-middle-east-a-history) --- *Product available on Desertcart United Kingdom* *Store origin: GB* *Last updated: 2026-05-19*