The Middle East category has 186 audiobooks on Listento.it, with an average listener rating of 4.3★ across 560 ratings. The most-rated is The Crusades.
The Case for Israel
Summary
Widely respected as a civil libertarian, legal educator, and defense attorney extraordinaire, Alan M. Dershowitz has also been a passionate though not uncritical supporter of Israel. In this audiobook, he presents an ardent defense of Israel's rights, supported by indisputable evidence. Dershowitz takes a close look at what Israel's accusers and detractors are saying about this war-torn country. He accuses those who attack Israel of international bigotry and backs up his argument with hard facts.
©2003 Alan Dershowitz (P)2015 Tantor
We Crossed a Bridge and It Trembled
Summary
Reminiscent of the work of Nobel Prize winner Svetlana Alexievich, an astonishing collection of intimate wartime testimonies and poetic fragments from a cross-section of Syrians whose lives have been transformed by revolution, war, and flight. Against the backdrop of the wave of demonstrations known as the Arab Spring, in 2011 hundreds of thousands of Syrians took to the streets demanding freedom, democracy, and human rights. The government's ferocious response, and the refusal of the demonstrators to back down, sparked a brutal civil war that over the past five years has escalated into the worst humanitarian catastrophe of our times. Yet despite all the reporting, the video, and the wrenching photography, the stories of ordinary Syrians remain unheard, while the stories told about them have been distorted by broad-brush dread and political expediency. This fierce and poignant collection changes that. Based on interviews with hundreds of displaced Syrians conducted over four years across the Middle East and Europe, We Crossed a Bridge and It Trembled is a breathtaking mosaic of firsthand testimonials from the front lines. Some of the testimonies are eloquent narratives that could stand alone as short stories; others are only a few sentences, poetic and aphoristic. Together, they cohere into an unforgettable chronicle that is a testament not only to the power of storytelling but to the strength of those who face darkness with hope, courage, and moral conviction.
©2017 Wendy Pearlman (P)2017 HarperCollins Publishers
The Morning They Came for Us
Summary
Once in a decade comes an account of war that promises to be a classic. Doing for Syria what Imperial Life in the Emerald City did for the war in Iraq, The Morning They Came for Us bears witness to one of the most brutal, internecine conflicts in recent history. Drawing from years of experience covering Syria for Vanity Fair, Newsweek, and the front pages of the New York Times, award-winning journalist Janine di Giovanni gives us a tour de force of war reportage, all told through the perspective of ordinary people - among them a doctor, a nun, a musician, and a student. What emerges is an extraordinary picture of the devastating human consequences of armed conflict, one that charts an apocalyptic but at times tender story of life in a jihadist war zone. Recalling celebrated works by Ryszard Kapus´cin´ski, Philip Gourevitch, and Anne Applebaum, The Morning They Came for Us, through its unflinching account of a nation on the brink of disintegration, becomes an unforgettable testament to resilience in the face of nihilistic human debasement.
©2016 Janine di Giovanni (P)2016 Tantor
Sasanian Empire
Summary
Explore the captivating history of the Sasanian Empire. Too often, people tend to disregard Iranian history and its ancient empires as so-called bad guys, often barbaric and bloodthirsty, lacking the culture, morals, and finesse of Westerners. Yet this is far from the truth. Starting from the first Persian Empire under the Achaemenids, culture and achievements of the ancient Iranian states were astonishing, influencing nations far outside their borders. That influence was probably the strongest during the Sasanian Empire, which is today considered the pinnacle of ancient Iranian civilization and culture. In this Captivating History audiobook, you will discover how important the Sasanian Empire was to history and how their legacy became an integral part of what we today think of as Islamic culture. In Sasanian Empire: A Captivating Guide to the Neo-Persian Empire That Ruled Before the Arab Conquest of Persia and the Rise of Islam, you will discover topics such as: The rise of the Sasanian Empire The first Sasanian decline The golden age and the end of the Sasanian Empire Sasanian government and military Art and culture of the Sasanian Empire Life and society of the Sasanians Religion in the Sasanian state And much, much more! So, if you want to learn more about the Sasanian Empire, listen to this audiobook now!
©2018 Captivating History (P)2018 Captivating History
A Peace to End All Peace
Summary
The Middle East has long been a region of rival religions, ideologies, nationalisms, and ambitions. All of these conflicts - including the hostilities between Arabs and Israelis and the violent challenges posed by Iraq's competing sects - are rooted in the region's political inheritance: the arrangements, unities, and divisions imposed by the Allies after the First World War. In A Peace to End All Peace, David Fromkin reveals how and why the Allies drew lines on an empty map that remade the geography and politics of the Middle East. Focusing on the formative years of 1914 to 1922, when all seemed possible, he delivers in this sweeping and magisterial book the definitive account of this defining time, describing how the choices narrowed and the Middle East began along a road that led to the conflicts and confusion that continue to this day. A new afterword from Fromkin, written for this edition of the book, includes his invaluable, updated assessment of this region of the world today, and on what this history has to teach us.
©1989 David Fromkin; Afterword copyright 2009 by David Fromkin (P)2018 Tantor
The Fatimids: 1. The Rise of a Muslim Empire
Summary
Emerging from a period of long seclusion, in the year 909, the leader of the burgeoning community of Ismaili Shi‘i Muslims was declared the first Fatimid Imam-caliph. Abd Allah al-Mahdi founded the only sustained Shi‘i dynasty (909-1171) to rule over substantial parts of the medieval Muslim world, rivaling both the Umayyads of Spain and the Abbasids. At its peak, the Fatimid Empire extended from the Atlantic shores of North Africa, across the southern Mediterranean, and down both sides of the Red Sea, covering also Mecca and Medina. This accessible history, the first of two volumes, tells the story of the birth and expansion of the Fatimid Empire in the 10th century. Drawing upon recently available eyewitness accounts, Shainool Jiwa introduces the first four generations of Fatimid Imam-caliphs - al-Mahdi, al-Qa'im, al-Mansur, and al-Mu‘izz - as well as the people who served them and those they struggled against. Listeners are taken on a journey through the Fatimid capitals of Qayrawan, Mahdiyya, and Mansuriyya and on to the founding of Cairo. In this lively and comprehensive introduction, we discover various milestones in Fatimid history and the political and cultural achievements that continue to resonate today. Dr. Shainool Jiwa is a senior faculty member at the Institute of Ismaili Studies, London. As a specialist on the Fatimids, she has written and lectured extensively on medieval Islamic history and has edited and translated key medieval Arabic texts relating to Fatimid history, including The Founder of Cairo (2013) and Towards a Shi'i Mediterranean Empire (2009). Dr. Jiwa is also the co-editor of The Shi‘i World: Pathways in Tradition and Modernity (2015).
©2017 Islamic Publications Ltd (P)2018 Islamic Publications Ltd
The Kingdom
Summary
The Kingdom is the story of a country - a country of astonishing contrasts, where routine computer printouts open with the words “In the name of God,” where men who grew up in goat-hair tents now dominate the money markets of the world, and where murderers and adulterers are publicly executed in the street. By its own reckoning, this country is just entering the 15th century. The Kingdom is also the story of a family - a family that has fought its way from poverty and obscurity into wealth and power the likes of which the world has never known, a family characterized by fierce loyalty among its members, ruthlessness toward its enemies, and dedication to one of the world’s most severe and demanding creeds. The Kingdom is Saudi Arabia - the only country in the world to bear the name of the family that rules it.
©1981 Robert Lacey (P)2000 Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Ghost on the Throne
Summary
When Alexander the Great died at the age of 32, his empire stretched from the Adriatic Sea in the west all the way to modern-day India in the east. In an unusual compromise, his two heirs - a mentally damaged half brother, Philip III, and an infant son, Alexander IV, born after his death - were jointly granted the kingship. But six of Alexander's Macedonian generals, spurred by their own thirst for power and the legend that Alexander bequeathed his rule "to the strongest," fought to gain supremacy. Perhaps their most fascinating and conniving adversary was Alexander's former Greek secretary, Eumenes, now a general himself, who would be the determining factor in the precarious fortunes of the royal family. James Romm, professor of classics at Bard College, brings to life the cutthroat competition and the struggle for control of the Greek world's greatest empire.
©2011 James Romm (P)2020 Tantor
Mythology: Captivating Greek, Egyptian, Norse, Celtic and Roman Myths of Gods, Goddesses, Heroes, and Monsters
Summary
If you want a huge collection of the best myths and discover captivating stories of gods, goddesses, monsters, and mortals, then keep reading... This audiobook collection includes five captivating books: Greek Mythology: A Captivating Introduction to Greek Myths of Greek Gods, Goddesses, Heroes, and Monsters Norse Mythology: A Captivating Guide to Norse Folklore Including Fairy Tales, Legends, Sagas, and Myths of the Norse Gods and Heroes Egyptian Mythology: Captivating Egyptian Myths of Egyptian Gods, Goddesses, and Legendary Creatures Celtic Mythology: Captivating Celtic Myths of Celtic Gods, Goddesses, Heroes, and Legendary Creatures Roman Mythology: Captivating Roman Myths of Roman Gods, Goddesses, Heroes, and Mythological Creatures In the first part of this audiobook, you'll find the following Greek myths and topics covered: In the beginning - the creation of the world and the Titan-Olympian war The rulers of Olympus Short tales And many more In the second part of this book, you'll find the following Norse myths and topics covered: The creation of the worlds Why Odin has one eye and Tyr has one hand Grace note - the story of Rolf Krake In the third part of this book, you'll find the following Egyptian myths and topics covered: Creation myths The birth of Osiris Two tales of Setne Khamwas In the fourth part of this book, you'll find the following Celtic myths and topics covered: The children of Lir How Cuchulainn got his name And more In the fifth part of this book, you'll find the following Roman myths and topics covered: The wanderings of Aeneas The story of the founding of Rome And many more So if you want to learn more about these five mythologies, listen to this audiobook collection now! PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
©2018 Matt Clayton (P)2018 Matt Clayton
Inside the Kingdom
Summary
Best-selling author Robert Lacey tells us what happened in the Middle East's oil-rich powerhouse---while we weren't looking.
©2009 Robert Lacey (P)2009 Tantor
Thunder Run
Summary
Called “the best account of combat since Black Hawk Down” by Men’s Journal, Thunder Run is a no-holds-barred look at the sweep of Baghdad, Iraq in 2003 by U.S. armed forces. One of the boldest gambles in modern military history, the surprise attack on Baghdad by three battalions of tanks and APCs and less than 1,000 men total was the single stroke that is credited for ending the Iraqi war. The three days of fierce fighting that followed the initial attack are captured in stunning detail by Richard M. Davidson’s powerhouse narration.
©2004 David Zucchino (P)2004 Recorded Books, LLC
The Ancient Black Hebrews
Summary
What ethnic group did Abraham and his family belong to? What color was this ethnic group? Does the Bible say they looked like Cushites? Are there pictures of this ethnic group from the time of Abraham? All of these questions are fully answered in this book! PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
©2019 Gert Muller (P)2019 Gert Muller
Ancient Civilizations: A Captivating Guide to the Ancient Canaanites, Hittites and Ancient Israel and Their Role in Biblical History
Summary
If you want to discover the captivating history of the ancient Canaanites, Hittites, and ancient Israelites, then pay attention.... Three captivating manuscripts in one audiobook: The Ancient Canaanites: A Captivating Guide to the Canaanite Civilization That Dominated the Land of Canaan Before the Ancient Israelites Hittites: A Captivating Guide to the Ancient Anatolian People Who Established the Hittite Empire in Ancient Mesopotamia Ancient Israel: A Captivating Guide to the Ancient Israelites, Starting from Their Entry into Canaan Until the Jewish Rebellions Against the Romans The Hittites, Canaanites, and Israelites were three ancient civilizations entwined with one another. In this new captivating history audiobook, you will discover the truth about these startling ancient civilizations. Part one of this audiobook includes: Revolutionary findings provided by modern archaeological detective techniques A simple explanation of what Canaan is and where it's located Fascinating discoveries of Canaanites artifacts Religion and beliefs And much, much more! In part two of this audiobook, you will discover: The origin of the Hittites in the Bronze Age The formation of the Old Kingdom, 1700-1500 BC The New Kingdom, 1400-1200 BC The downfall of the Hittites The Syro-Hittite or Neo-Hittite kingdoms Art, symbolism, and the Hittites' role in the Bible Legal and daily life of the Hittites Military structure And much, much more! Part three is covering ancient Israel, and in it, you will discover topics such as: Culture and society through the years And much, much more! So, if you want to learn more about these three ancient civilizations, listen to this audiobook now!
©2018 Captivating History (P)2018 Captivating History
Imperial Life in the Emerald City
Summary
In this unprecedented account, The Washington Post's former Baghdad bureau chief, Rajiv Chandrasekaran, takes us into the Green Zone, headquarters for the American occupation in Iraq. In this bubble separated from wartime realities, the task of reconstructing a devastated nation competes with the distractions of a Little America: a half-dozen bars, a disco, a shopping mall - much of it run by Halliburton. While qualified Americans willing to serve in Iraq are screened for their views on Roe v. Wade, the country is put into the hands of inexperienced 20-somethings chosen for their Republican Party loyalty. Ignoring what Iraqis say they want or need, the team pursues irrelevant neoconservative solutions and pie-in-the-sky policies instead of rebuilding looted buildings and restoring electricity. Their almost comic initiatives anger the locals and fuel the insurgency.
©2006 Rajiv Chandrasekaran (P)2006 Blackstone Audio Inc.
The Kingdom of Kush
Summary
"The desert lands of Egypt will remain desert, however many millions of pounds are expended in Nile reservoirs. All that man can do is to extend somewhat the narrow strip of green running along the banks of the Nile." (Sir Benjamin Baker, Royal Institution, June 6, 1902) During the several centuries that ancient Egypt stood as one of the greatest, if not the greatest, civilizations of the ancient world, conflicts with its neighbors often played a central role in hieroglyphic texts and art from temples and tombs. The three primary enemies of the Egyptians were the Libyans who occupied the Western Desert and its oases, the so-called Asiatics who lived in the Levant, and finally the Nubians to Egypt's south. Among the three peoples, the Nubians were the most "Egyptianized" and at times were integral to the development of Egyptian history. Truly, the Nubians were the greatest of all sub-Saharan peoples in pre-modern times and deserve to be studied in their own right, apart from ancient Egyptian history. Unfortunately, it is often difficult for scholars to separate aspects of ancient Nubian culture that were truly unique and "Nubian" from those elements that were Egyptian, as the Nubians borrowed heavily in terms of culture from their northern neighbor. One historian noted, "As expected, strong Nubian features and dark coloring are seen in their sculpture and relief work. This dynasty ranks as among the greatest, whose fame far outlived its actual tenure on the throne. Especially interesting, it was a member of this dynasty that decreed that no Nehsy (riverine Nubian of the principality of Kush), except such as came for trade or diplomatic reasons, should pass by the Egyptian fortress and cops at the southern end of the Second Nile Cataract. Why would this royal family of Nubian ancestry ban other Nubians from coming into Egyptian territory? Because the Egyptian rulers of Nubian ancestry had become Egyptians culturally; as pharaohs, they exhibited typical Egyptian attitudes and adopted typical Egyptian policies." Robert S. Bianchi went even further: "It is an extremely difficult task to attempt to describe the Nubians during the course of Egypt's New Kingdom, because their presence appears to have virtually evaporated from the archaeological record. The result has been described as a wholesale Nubian assimilation into Egyptian society." An in-depth examination of the ancient Nubians reveals that although the Nubians were closely related culturally in many ways to the Egyptians, they produced a culture that had many of its own unique attributes and was far more advanced than any other culture in sub-Saharan Africa. The Kingdom of Kush: The History and Legacy of the Ancient Nubian Empire examines the amazing history and legacy of one of the most interesting places in the world.
©2017 Charles River Editors (P)2017 Charles River Editors
Against Our Better Judgment
Summary
Soon after WWII, U.S. statesman Dean Acheson warned that creating Israel on land already inhabited by Palestinians would "imperil" both American and all Western interests in the region. Despite warnings such as this one, President Truman supported establishing a Jewish state on land primarily inhabited by Muslims and Christians. Few Americans today are aware that U.S. support enabled the creation of modern Israel. Even fewer know that U.S. politicians pushed this policy over the forceful objections of top diplomatic and military experts. As this work demonstrates, these politicians were bombarded by a massive pro-Israel lobbying effort that ranged from well-funded and very public Zionist organizations to an "elitist secret society" whose members included Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis. Against Our Better Judgment brings together meticulously sourced evidence to illuminate a reality that differs starkly from the prevailing narrative. It provides a clear view of the history that is key to understanding one of the most critically important political issues of our day.
©2014 Alison Weir (P)2014 Alison Weir
Ancient Egypt: History in an Hour
Summary
Love history? Know your stuff with History in an Hour. Learn about the Egyptian gods, mummification and how the Egyptians built the only wonder of the ancient world still standing - the Pyramids of Giza. Exploring the historic rise of Egyptian civilization and its continued influence on the world today, Ancient Egypt in an Hour is an excellent companion to a mysterious and enthralling period of history.
©2013 Anthony Holmes (P)2013 HarperCollins Publishers Limited
The House of Wisdom
Summary
Here is the remarkable story of how medieval Arab scholars made dazzling advances in science and philosophy, and of the itinerant Europeans who brought this knowledge back to the West. For centuries following the fall of Rome, Western Europe was a benighted backwater, a world of subsistence farming, minimal literacy, and violent conflict. Meanwhile, Arab culture was thriving, dazzling those Europeans fortunate enough to catch even a glimpse of the scientific advances coming from Baghdad, Antioch, or the cities of Persia, Central Asia, and Muslim Spain. There, philosophers, mathematicians, and astronomers were steadily advancing the frontiers of knowledge and revitalizing the works of Plato and Aristotle. In the royal library of Baghdad, known as the House of Wisdom, an army of scholars worked at the behest of the Abbasid caliphs. At a time when the best book collections in Europe held several dozen volumes, the House of Wisdom boasted as many as 400,000. Even while their countrymen waged bloody Crusades against Muslims, a handful of intrepid Christian scholars, thirsty for knowledge, traveled to Arab lands and returned with priceless jewels of science, medicine, and philosophy that laid the foundation for the Renaissance. In this brilliant, evocative book, Lyons shows just how much Western culture owes to the glories of medieval Arab civilization, and reveals the untold story of how Europe drank from the well of Muslim learning.
©2008 Jonathan Lyons (P)2010 Audible, Inc.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guards
Summary
In early November 2016, Salar Abnoush, a leader in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), stated that the IRGC "will be in the US and Europe very soon." This quote came just before the US presidential election, a time when President Barack Obama was winding down his presidency and American society was busy reflecting on his past actions over the eight years of his presidency. Of those actions that incoming President Donald Trump has decided to focus on, "tearing up" the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (also more commonly known as the Iran Nuclear Deal) was near the top of the list. The crux of the deal focuses on Iran's agreement to roll back uranium stockpiles and enrichment capabilities in exchange for the ending of nuclear-related sanctions against Iran. Due to the IRGC's current involvement in the Iranian economy, they stand to gain from the ending of the sanctions. Possible threats to the deal by the incoming Trump Administration are of concern in Iran, and the threat of the IRGC spreading in western countries is a concern as well. The impact of the changing of terms to the Iran Nuclear Deal is just one concern among many of members of the IRGC. The multi-party conflict of the Syrian Civil War has pulled Iran deeper into this global conflict, as the numbers of refugees and internally displaced people rise. Through it all, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps has held a position of power and prestige in Iranian society and has inspired both revolution and concern around the world. The IRGC is notable for its involvement in conflicts around the Middle East, particularly in supporting Shi'a groups through military training and finance, as well as backup support on the battlefield. This is not to say the IRGC enters into conflicts for the sake of being involved, but rather, they see these particular situations as serving the interests of Iran and furthering their brand of Shi'ism, a sect of Islam. The IRGC sees itself as a protector of Islam, Iran's theocracy, and the principles of the 1979 Iranian Revolution, so its involvement is always framed in terms of benefits to the overall goals of promoting revolutionary ideals. As analyst Afshon Ostovar puts it, "The IRGC is a multifaceted organization with reach into many different areas. It is a security service, an intelligence operation, a social and cultural force, and a complex industrial economic conglomerate." The IRGC operates in a very similar manner to other Islamist paramilitary organizations, such as Hezbollah, Hamas, the Muslim Brotherhood, and - their current enemies on the battlefield - the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and Jabhat Al-Nusra. These Islamist groups' power and influence comes from their control over the societies in which they operate and whether or not they have influential allies. The main difference for the IRGC, however, is the support of Iranian leadership in carrying out their main mission of maintaining and exporting the revolution. In essence, the IRGC has rooted itself in Iranian society and spread its influence through association with the society's most integral components - the education system, businesses, civil organizations, and religion - all at the request and blessing of the Supreme Leader of Iran. This is a similar model ISIL and Jabhat Al-Nusra are attempting to carry out in Syria and Iraq, and the one that Hamas and Hezbollah currently carry out in Lebanon and the Palestinian territories. The IRGC is also very much involved in Iran's economy and has a stake in its nuclear ambitions.
©2017 Charles River Editors (P)2017 Charles River Editors
Black Origins of Ancient Greek Civilization
Summary
This book shall explore the evidence for African and Afro-Canaanite formative influences on Crete and mainland Greece. This book differs from Martin Bernal's Black Athena in several fundamental ways: 1) Our Egyptians are, as Anu M'Bantu would say, Unmistakably Black! Bernal's are somewhat Black. 2) The main Egyptian players in this study are NOT the Hyksos. 3) This study openly acknowledges and emphasizes the Afro-Canaanite origin of the Phoenicians. 4) It posits SEVEN different Black origins and influences on Greek civilization. This book is a must-listen for all those interested in Black history!
©2013 Gert Muller (P)2015 Gert Muller