Lebanon History

The politics and recent history of the Middle East can seem baffling to outsiders. Nowhere was that more evident than during the Lebanon War that raged in 1982. Even contemporary reporting often made fundamental mistakes, and there was little general understanding of what was happening and why. This conflict involved a bewildering number of groups and influences from different parts of the world. The precipitating event was the attempted assassination of the Israeli ambassador in London, carried out by members of a Palestinian terrorist group.

The United Nations is one of the most famous bodies in the world, and its predecessor, the League of Nations, might be equally notorious. In fact, President Woodrow Wilson’s pet project was controversial from nearly the minute it was conceived. At the end of World War I, Wilson's pleas at the Paris Peace Conference relied on his Fourteen Points, which included the establishment of a League of Nations, but while his points were mostly popular amongst Americans and Europeans alike, leaders at the Peace Conference largely discarded them and favored different approaches.

A rugged Mediterranean coast forged antiquity's greatest maritime pioneers, uniting the ancient world through epic trade. From steep valleys to bustling natural harbors, independent city-states transformed a narrow strip of land into a seafaring powerhouse. Step aboard vessels that navigated...

Uncover how an ancient Mediterranean civilization birthed the modern alphabet and survived centuries of ruthless empires. Perfect for your daily commute, this immersive historical journey explores dramatic coastlines and mountain fortresses. Witness how early generations of sailors and traders...

Uncover the turbulent geopolitics and cultural diversity of a coastal crossroads that shaped Middle Eastern history. Perfect for an immersive commute, this balanced and reflective narrative traces the evolution of a narrow Mediterranean strip from ancient seafaring networks to a modern contested...

The program features a new introduction written and read by the author. "If you're only going to read one book on the Middle East, this is it." —Seymour M. Hersh One of the most thought-provoking books ever written about the Middle East, From Beirut to Jerusalem remains vital to our...

Before September 11, 2001, one terrorist group had killed more Americans than any other: Hezbollah, the “Party of God.” Today it remains potentially more dangerous than even al Qaeda. Yet little has been known about its inner workings, past successes, and future plans–until now. Written by...

A Marine Corps Commandant’s Professional Reading List Selection The first in a new “authoritative, shocking” (Brad Meltzer, #1 New York Times bestselling author) nonfiction series examining the devastating terrorist attacks that changed the course of history from #1 New York Times...

Explore a vibrant Middle Eastern history where empires clash and a resilient city rises from centuries of devastation. Perfect for your daily commute or armchair travel, this immersive narrative traces three millennia of catastrophe and reinvention along the Mediterranean coast. Follow the fault...