“Middle East Patterns 6th Ed.” by Colbert Held Coursework
The author observes that the studies of contemporary history and society are rapidly advancing. Although French scholars have a welcoming attitude in their writings, the definition of the Middle East is required before its history can be compiled. Does the Middle East extend from morocco to Afghanistan? The history of the Muslim people should be included when exploring the Middle East. Pre-Islamic Arabia has not been addressed by most scholars. The modern history of the Middle East should be approached from a very sober point of view. The influences of government and thinkers have shaped the history of the Middle East. In addition, the Middle East society should also be considered when writing the history of this region.
The Ottoman impact is also crucial when writing the history of the Middle East in the 19th and 20th centuries. A lasting structure of governance was created by the Ottoman Empire. Moreover, commercial exchanges were simplified in the Ottoman Empire. However, most of the literature on the Middle East history has failed to highlight such important historical events of the region.
A number of sources that were written before and after the Ottoman Empire should also be consulted in order to compile a detailed and accurate account of Middle East history, especially during the past two centuries. The end of the Muslim political societies can also be explained using the governance and administration of the Ottoman Empire. Islamic society was immensely developed through the achievements of the Ottoman Empire. It is prudent to mention that the growth of the new life should not be oversimplified when compiling the history of the Middle East.
The author is also categorical that the cultural practices of the Persians and Greeks also form an important part of Middle East history. The emergence and growth of Islamic culture are closely intertwined with the cultural mix of the Persians and Greeks. Islamic history can also be categorized into three distinct periods. The latter is necessary when compiling the history of the Middle East. The initial 3-4 centuries in the history of Islam are important. This period marked the formation era of Islam. The caliphate was also more stable during the first three to four centuries. The unchallenged Ottoman rule was the second period that should be part and parcel of Middle East history. The development of the Arabic language should also be included in the second period. The 19th and 2oth centuries were marked by the rapid expansion of Europeans. This period should equally be incorporated in the history of the Middle East because it had a lot of influence on the entire Islamic society. Major decisions that affected the Islamic world were in London or Paris.
It is equally pertinent to select a dominant theme when writing about the three historical periods bearing in mind that myriads of events took place. The author also observes that the history of the Middle East has been significantly messed because it was written by individuals who had no background in history as a discipline. While most of the historical accounts of the Middle East have been taken as gospel truth by the modern generation, there are several missing links in the available pieces of literature. The author is emphatic that a holistic new breed of literature should be documented in order to offer the most accurate account of Middle East history.
