This ambitious and wide-ranging popular history is the first narrative account of the entire Near East (Turkey; Iraq; Syria; Lebanon; Jordan; Israel; Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States); from the genesis of civilization in the fourth millennium BCE until modern times. It provides an historical outline of the civilizations and cultures that dominated the region; one that has had an immense impact on the development of humankind; ever since the ancient Sumerians invented urban living and writing around 3200 BCE. Later; the Babylonians and the Assyrians built upon the Sumerian legacy. They were the world's earliest great powers; whose actions in the cradle of monotheism influenced Judaism and; eventually; Christianity and Islam. The Near East discusses the long eras of Arab; Persian and Ottoman rule; and the destabilizing intervention of Western colonial powers. Cotterell's book is a timely reminder of how historical events have shaped the outlooks of various peoples; just as political turbulence in the Near East is challenging both neighboring countries and the wider world.
#1447070 in Books 2015-11-15 2015-11-15Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 10.30 x .90 x 8.60l; 1.54 #File Name: 1848322356208 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. An Excellent Biography of a Very Special Group of ShipsBy George W PrescottThe Abdiel class fast minelayers have a special mystique for those interested in warships of the Second World War; and they have their own mythology. Nicholson tells the stories of these ships; bringing out clearly the stories of the officers and men who made these ships what they were. While they did serve the Royal Navy as minelayers; their most important service was as fast transports to bring necessary supplies to Malta and Tobruk. Hard worked during World War 2; two of the six ships would be war losses. It is ironic that that the lead ship of the class would be sunk by a mine; while Latona would be lost without laying a single mine in action. An excellent biography of a very special group of ships.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. A great book about a forgotten class of shipsBy Customer"Very Special Ships" is about the very high speed minelayers of the Abdiel Class which the Royal Navy of Great Britain build 6 of between 1937-1942. These ships were the size of cruisers a had a clocked speed of 40+ knots. The book covers each of the of the ships including the vital resupply dashes into Tobruk and Malta which in the darkest days were the only way for the British to keep the Island Fortress resupplied in 1942 and top replace the Australian Troops out of Tobruk. The author covers the missions of the ships with personnel interviews and historys of the Naval Career's of each of the Commanding officers of these ships. This is must for anyone who is interested in the WWII Naval War in that the Abdiel ships are unique to any navy in that war.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A Special Book ..By klabautermann.. For Special interests ! Well written ; an abundance of information for the Naval Fan ! I can only recommened it !!
