A Comprehensive Dictionary of the Middle East - Softcover

Hiro is a well-respected expert on Middle Eastern, Islamic, and central Asian affairs, and this latest work illustrates his deep and broad knowledge of this region. The dictionary focuses on those countries encompassed in the geographic area from Egypt to Iran, including Palestine, Israel, Jordan, and Yemen. Hiro concentrates on people, places, and events that affected the region during the 20th century, but also includes historical information on religions and religious sects, figures, places, and events that continue to shape the Middle East today. The more than 1,200 clearly written entries cover politics, religions, international relations, politicians, groups, natural resources, literature and art, and myriad other topics, with ample cross referencing... Verdict: Hiro displays an admirable even-handedness when covering contentious areas. He gives equal time to both sides of a conflict or disagreement without passing judgment or editorializing, making this an excellent reference source for readers and students interested in solid, fair explanations of the history of, and frequently contentious issues at play in, the Middle East. For this reason, as well as for its very reasonable price tag, A Comprehensive Dictionary of the Middle East is highly recommended... for the both the specialist and the general reader interested in the region.
Library Journal

Well researched and well written. The straightforward transliteration system uses forms generally understandable by both Middle Eastern scholars and general readers. The index is complete and useful ... highly recommended.
Choice

While the general reader will find the Dictionary readable, the specialist will find it mostly reliable. And... both will find it affordable.
Middle East Quarterly

A very useful and highly informative reference work on the region... Hiro deserves much credit for this well researched and highly balanced work which fills a void in the field. [It] is a must for journalists, students, diplomats, businessmen, librarians and anyone else who needs, a quick and reliable reference on the Middle East.
Middle East Insight

An invaluable guide for Journalists, diplomats, businessmen and, not least, politicians... The 1,000 entries ensure comprehensiveness, and their compression into a single manageable volume ensures compactness. And this has been done with a precision that is truly admirable... The author, an indefatigable scholar... has succeeded in achieving both balance and fairness while at the same time avoiding dray as dust scholarship to which works of reference are notably prone. --Middle East International