The Making of the Modern Middle East cover art

The Making of the Modern Middle East

A Personal History

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The Making of the Modern Middle East

By: Jeremy Bowen
Narrated by: Jeremy Bowen
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About this listen

This audiobook is compellingly read by the author, Jeremy Bowen.

A Spectator and New Statesman Book of the Year

Jeremy Bowen, the International Editor of the BBC, has been covering the Middle East since 1989 and is uniquely placed to explain its complex past and its troubled present. Here, Bowen offers readers a gripping and invaluable guide to the modern Middle East, how it came to be and what its future might hold.

In The Making of the Modern Middle East – in part based on his acclaimed podcast, ‘Our Man in the Middle East’ Bowen takes us on a journey across the Middle East and through its history. He meets ordinary men and women on the front line, their leaders, whether brutal or benign, and he explores the power games that have so often wreaked devastation on civilian populations as those leaders, whatever their motives, jostle for political, religious and economic control.

Clear throughout is Bowen's deep understanding of the political, cultural and religious differences between countries as diverse as Erdogan’s Turkey, Assad’s Syria, Netanyahu’s Israel and Palestine, whether Hamas-controlled Gaza or the West Bank, and his long experience of covering events in the region.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2022 Jeremy Bowen (P)2022 Macmillan Publishers International Limited
21st Century Middle East Modern Words, Language & Grammar Writing & Publishing Iran Thought-Provoking Inspiring Africa War Royalty

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Critic reviews

Arresting . . . excellent, doom-freighted (Justin Marozzi)
Jeremy Bowen is one of the finest journalists and broadcasters of our age - qualities which shine through every page of this superb book. Written with modesty, grace and compassion, his account of 30 years working in the Middle East for the BBC combines his own personal experience with and a rare understanding of what makes this tortured region so dangerously combustible. His judgements are invariably balanced but when they are due he does not shrink from scathing criticisms of the key actors. The result is an illuminating and riveting read. (Jonathan Dimbleby, broadcaster, author and historian)
Bears witness to how lofty dreams of the post-Cold War period crashed and burned ... with deep empathy and understanding of the roots of the conflict (Emma Sky)
All stars
Most relevant  
If ever there was a right moment to listen to this book that moment is now. A help to understand what is happening now in the Middle East together with a terrible certainty that there has been not much change over the year and that optimism is non existent. Please forgive my poor English

Right moment for this book

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Given the recent atrocities in Gaza and Israel, I felt the I needed to properly understand the background of the conflict. This book is written in such a way that it has helped me to do this and I recommend it to everyone. Quite simply, a fantastically well written history of the journey the Middle East from the early 1900's to date. It makes clear the many ways in which the region, including Palestine and Israel, has ended up where it is now.
Surely the basis of a documentary which would bring an increasingly important and relevant story to a wider audience...

An understanding

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An excellent book about the history and complexities of the Middle East. Everyone should educate themselves before siding with one side or the other. It’s never as simple as good versus evil empires.

Everything You Know About Middle East Conflicts

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I found this audio recording to be fascinating and informative...I knew elements of the background to the middle east conflicts from studying it in A level History. developments in the last 30 years are well covered in this narrative...well worth reading or listening to.

Fascinating overview

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Very well read, rarely learnt that much in a book and really liked the personal stories as well.

Fantastic book and great summary of the modern history of the ME

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This was an incredible book. Incredible because it actually takes a lot of courage these days to write impartially. No leader, terrorist or political, democratic or dictator, is given a pass.
It’s scary but essential reading to understand the very current mess we’re in.
I learnt a huge amount.

But what stood out for me most was Jeremy’s relentless dedication to tell the stories of the people of these countries who are affected by decisions made well out of their control. He brings perspective and context. Thank you Jeremy.

His deep compassion for people is evident

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Jeremy in his own words does a fantastic and honest review, without prejudice of how the crisis in the Middle East has evolved into what we unfortunately see today. A must read/listen.

Brilliant

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A essential source when trying to really understand what is happening in the Middle East, how it’s all linked and the devastating effects it has on people’s lives

Highly recommended

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Thought provoking exploration of the Middle East - the tides that have shaped it and more importantly the impact on people trying to live.

Fascinating insight into the Middle East

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Really enjoyed this personal account of decades of reporting from an amazing but complex part of the world. Because this is a personal history, I particularly enjoyed the additional personal anecdotes and perspective on events I vividly remember as well as stories about things I had no idea about. Fascinating personal account, I enjoyed the author reading it too.

Fascinating personal account

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