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The Making of the Modern Middle East
- A Personal History
- Narrated by: Jeremy Bowen
- Length: 14 hrs and 56 mins
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Summary
This audio edition is read by the author, Jeremy Bowen.
A Spectator Book of the Year 2022
A New Statesman Book of the Year 2022
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.
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.
With his deep understanding of the political, cultural and religious differences between countries as diverse as Erdogan’s Turkey, Assad’s Syria and Netanyahu’s Israel and his long experience of covering events in the region, Bowen offers readers a gripping and invaluable guide to the modern Middle East, how it came to be and what its future might hold.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
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- Mrs W
- 17-10-23
So much to learn.
Reading this while waiting for the next phase of the latest Gaza - Israeli conflict, I found this book incredibly helpful in organizing my own thoughts about the Middle East. A well observed book, as you would hope from a journalist, with each chapter focussing on a country of area. But, Mr Bowen shows us that none of the countries of areas are a vacuum and all are dependent on the actions, good or bad, of their Middle Eastern neighbours and of course the US, Russia and now China. I could go on and on but all I'll say is I'm glad I purchased this audio book and even better for the authors narration. Five stars.
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6 people found this helpful
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- MRS CA BATES
- 11-09-23
My eyes have been opened
Beautifully read by Jeremy Bowen. I thought I knew something about the Middle East but it turns out I knew very little. The events in the book are hard to hear but Jeremy brings insight into the trauma the Middle East has in the past experienced and still endures to this day. It becomes easier to see the threads from the present back into the past making more sense of the conflicts. If not apparent before he shows us the effect of outside influences and the constant meddling from the West. Definitely worth a read.
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3 people found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 17-11-23
Comprehensive but slightly biased
This is a very informative guide to the Middle East. Unfortunately, toward the end of the book, the writer tilts to being too biased against Israel. The final chapters on Gaza, unfortunately, veer away from journalism and into outright activism.
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2 people found this helpful
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- John
- 16-08-23
Brutal and bloody
As a familiar BBC correspondent in the Middle East for decades you know that Jeremy Bowen knows what he’s talking about. An excellent explanation of the problems of the Middle East. The blood and brutality can be overwhelming at times, but Bowen’s insightful analysis is invaluable.
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2 people found this helpful
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- Maureen
- 10-09-22
Absolutely brilliant.
Watched the program Our man in the middle east years ago. This book was 1000 times better. Loved it
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2 people found this helpful
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- Jamie O'Shaughnessy
- 16-11-23
Highly respected journalism
I have long liked and respected Jeremy Bowen and this did not disappoint. While very much personal experience, this is classic journalism in the sense or reporting rather than the opinion forced down your throat of modern media.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Kyran McStay
- 08-08-23
A front seat view of a troubled history.
Fabulous and balanced perspective with an deep historical perspective. The narration was excellent…only someone who lived this fascinating account could have delivered it passionately. I have listened to it twice…and will do so again. Thank you Jeremy
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- A S Ravenscroft
- 25-06-23
Riveting
A deeply humane and engaging journey over the recent years in the ME with threads and histories explained. It leaves us in the west ashamed of our part in its troubles - our bad decisions that suited our wants - without underestimating the self-centred cruelty of countries’ leaders. Absorbing and enlightening, thank you Mr Bowen
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- Mr G Kitchin
- 06-02-23
A brilliant sweeping modern history
This sweeping history of the Middle East is authoritative, subtle and interweaves hard facts and personal testimonies.
Jeremy Bowen is a journalist of the very highest calibre.
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- Anonymous User
- 25-01-23
Amazing but hard
Hard not to lose all Hope going from crisis to crisis. You feel for the Middle Eastern people and wonder what the answer is before you cry a little more.
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