Middle East: Region in Transition

Beset by centuries of conflict, the countries of the Middle East are no strangers to friction. While much about their future remains uncertain, their individual pasts boast the robust traditions and textured stories frequently eclipsed by recent headlines. This thoroughgoing series invites readers to journey to bygone eras and to behold the development of rich and complex societies whose remarkable cultural monuments--from the medieval Abbasid Palace of Baghdad to the ultramodern Burj Khalifa in Dubai--witnessed the Middle East's greatest struggles and anticipate a future resplendent with possibility.
• Vibrant photographs depict significant historical figures and events
• Detailed maps highlight key cities and areas
• Current events are placed in objective and historical context