The Arab Century: A Modern History Of The Arabs

Martin Kramer

It is now nearly a century since speakers of Arabic first began to think of themselves as members of an Arab nation. This conviction has carried them into Arab revolt, Arab independence, and finally Arab defeat. Their 100-year experiment with the idea of an Arab nation has now approached its end, and today there is widespread disillusionment among Arabs themselves over this ideal.
In this book Martin Kramer rewrites the modern history of the Arabs tracing chronologically the events of the last century. In a sweeping narrative enlivened by personalities (Asad, Saddam and Arafat are given) and anecdotes Kramer addresses the battle amongst Arabs over the meaning of the past for identity in the present. Beginning with the Arabic-speaking peoples in the Ottoman provinces, Kramer takes us through the Arab revolt against the Ottomans, the manoeuvring over the future of Arab lands which followed WWI, the politics and revolt in Arab lands under British, French and Italian rule between the world wars, the partial modernization of Arab lands, civil war, the challenge posed by the revival of Islam, ending with a look at the prospects for peace and democracy in a new Middle East. This book offers a fascinating reassessment of Arab peoples, many of whom have vastly differing historical memories, and argues that the last century has been one of lost opportunities and disillusionment.