100 Myths About The Middle East

Description:
In this much-needed and enlightening book Halliday debunks one hundred of the most commonly misconstrued 'facts' concerning the Middle East - in the political, cultural, social and historical spheres. He gets to the heart of each matter in a straightforward and simple manner that illuminates the issues without compromising their underlying complexities. The Israel-Palestine crisis, the Iran-Iraq war, the US-led Gulf invasions, the Afghan-Soviet conflict and other significant milestones in modern Middle East history come under scrutiny here, with conclusions that will surprise and enlighten many for going so seemingly and persuasively against the grain of commonly held (mis)perceptions.

Review:
'A pithy and popularised rejection of much of the received wisdom about the Middle East ...' Asian Affairs 'Fred Halliday's brilliant Two Hours that Shook the World was one of the most welcome books published in the aftermath of 9/11. In his new book he debunks 100 of the most pernicious 'facts' about the Middle East in his characteristically quiet, straightforward and efficient way.' Bookseller 'In this pithy book Halliday tackles most of the myths in just one or two pages of tight argument.' Saudi Gazette 'Fascinating reading ... Challenging proverbial 'wisdom', pat answers and politically motivated lies, he addresses 100 common misconceptions about the Middle East and how the region figures into US and European foreign policy.' Jordan Times 'Fred Halliday...seeks to provide a 'moral vocabulary' for understanding the region through its incorporation into the contemporary world.' Church of England Newspaper 'Sometimes barbed, but often pithy and insightful.' Romford Recorder Praise for Fred Halliday: 'By far the best book on the catastrophe of 11 September.' The Observer 'Cuts the proverbial ice.' Daily Star 'Sober and balanced.' The New Statesman 'A writer of true calibre.' The Independent 'Fred Halliday's grasp of the Middle East makes him an invaluable source of readable and authoritative material on the main issues.'Irish Times

Author Biography:
Fred Halliday is professor of International Relations at the London School of Economics and author of numerous books, including The World at 2000, World Politics and Two Hours that Shook the World. A leading authority on superpower relations, development issues, the Middle East and IR theory he is a prolific lecturer and broadcaster.