Elegantly written and accessible, this comprehensive volume paints a varied and intriguing portrait of a region steeped in traditionalism even while geography and politics force change upon it. With wit and gravity, sympathy and objectivity, the author explores the cultural currents that for 2,000 years have flowed across the broad territory spanning Morocco to the Central Asian steppes. He covers fascinating details like transformations in clothing to earth-shaking events like the Mongol conquest. And he considers the future of the region where ancient patterns and conflicts seem destined to repeat themselves. Bernard Lewis draws from a multitude of sources including the work of archaeologists and scholars to create this chronological look at the Middle East. Richard M. Davidson's thoughtful performance leads you on a search through the past for answers to questions that will inevitably arise in the future.

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