Books:
These are some of the books I suggest for anyone wanting to learn more. I personally am an Audible Addict and love my Audible subscription, so the ones available on Audible will be noted below
1.) A Peace to End all Peace: The Fall of the Ottoman Empire and the Creation of the Modern Middle East.
This book was long (just under 500 pages) but it is packed full of information for the searching American. It is broken up into short chapters which makes it digestible and not as overwhelming. If you’ve got the guts and time it’s a great way to understand the region.
Fromkin, David. A peace to end all peace the fall of the Ottoman Empire and the creation of the modern Middle East. New York: Holt, 2009. Print.
2.) The Tail Wags the Dog: International Politics and the Middle East
This book is written by an Israeli point of view to help Americans understand how they are perceived in the area of Middle Eastern Politics. Incredibly informative and a great read. Available also on Audible
Karsh, Efraim. The tail wags the dog: international politics and the Middle East. London: Bloomsbury, 2015. Print.
3.) Lawrence in Arabia: War, Deceit, Imperial Folly and the Making of the Modern Middle East
This book I listened to at the same time I was reading A Peace to End all Peace and interestingly they over lapped. If you have never heard of Lawrence of Arabia, He was a key person that bridged the gap between the Arabs and the British during WWI. This book helps to understand the war viewed more from the Arab side since this was were Lawrence was stationed. Available on Audible
Anderson, Scott. Lawrence in Arabia: war, deceit, imperial folly and the making of the modern Middle East. London: Atlantic , 2014. Print.
4.) The Arabs: A History
This book was a great read if you want to understand Arab History. After reading you will have an understanding of why different Arab countries do not get along in reference to their history. Available on Audible.
Rogan, Eugene L. The Arabs: a history. London, England: Penguin , 2012. Print.
5.) In the Shadow of the Sword: The Battle for Global Empire and the End of the Ancient World
I actually just finished this one (March 2017) and loved it. It shows the cultural climate that was happening at the beginning of each of the monotheistic religions, specifically focusing on Islam. Tom Holland, who is also a novelist, made the history fun to listen to. Obviously available on Audible.
Holland, Tom. In the shadow of the sword: the battle for global empire and the end of the ancient world. London: Abacus, 2014. Print.
6.) Khan el-Khalili
A novel written during about the period during the first world war tells of an Egyptian man and his family during that time. Written by the Egyptian author and nobel peace prize winner, Naguib Mahfouz. All of Naguib’s books (to my knowledge) have been translated into English so language does not create a barrier here.
Khan Al-Khalili / translated from the Arabic by Roger Allen. – New York : Anchor Books, 2011
Movies/ Documentaries:
***For all the Movies/ Documentaries I have linked the IMDB so you are able to follow it and watch the trailers***
1.) Lawrence of Arabia (1962 version)-Movie
This movie is set in the time during WWI when the British through Lawrence were attempting to get the Arab tribes on their side. Interesting story set in what would be Modern Day Saudi Arabia.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056172/?ref_=nv_sr_1
2.) Salam Neighbor (2015 Netflix)- Documentary
Regardless of where you fall on the issue (at least for Americans) it is a documentary made by two American men who set up a tent in one of the refugee camps in Jordan and their experiences, not knowing a word of Arabic, interacting with the refugees.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3828488/
3.) The Other Son (2012 Amazon)- Movie
This movie is about two sons switched at birth.. the twist… One family is Jewish and the other is Palestinian. Gives a great picture into this division and the cultural dynamics here.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2073016/?ref_=nv_sr_1
4.) Desert Dancer (2014 Amazon)-Movie
A beautiful story of how the arts is effected in Iran by the government and the strict controls that they bring down. Looking for a love story and a way to learn this one would make a good date movie. (;
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2403393/?ref_=nv_sr_1
5.) Rosewater (2014 Amazon)-Movie
Another one from Iran about an man imprisoned in Iran on the suspicions of being a spy. Once you go down this hole of Iran imprisoning people for being spies plan to spend sometime down there because it is a long tunnel. But it was a good movie.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2752688/?ref_=nv_sr_1
6.) The Square (2013 Netflix)-Documentary
This Documentary follows some of those involved in the Egyptian revolution. Really interesting. I watched it on Netflix but I am unsure if it is still available there.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2486682/?ref_=nv_sr_3
7.)We are the Giant (2014-Amazon Video)- Documentary
A little disappointed they didn’t mention the Egyptian revolution in this documentary though I can understand wanting to focus on the revolutions in the Middle East that did not get as much press. Real stories of real people from Tunisia and Bahrain. Good watch.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3455850/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
8.) Cairo Drive (2015-Amazon Video)- Documentary
After staying in Cairo for three weeks this documentary was awesome. It is a great portrayal of what traffic is like in Egypt. Not only that but you see these small pictures of Egyptian culture riding with the Taxi drivers and the regular drivers. Also gives a small window into that culture during the revolution.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2527050/?ref_=nv_sr_1
Wandering in the Middle East 