The Modern History Of Iraq - Softcover

The second edition of a highly respected history of Iraq, which covers the period from the construction of the modern state in 1920 through today. Written for lay readers and students of the Middle East, The Modern History of Iraq places in historical perspective the multiple crises and upheavals that afflict contemporary Iraq. The book focuses on several important themes: the search for national identity in a multi-ethnic, multi-religious state; the struggle to achieve economic development and modernity in a traditional society; and the political dynamics that have led to the current dire situation in Iraq. While much remains opaque about contemporary Iraq because of its closed political system, Marr has used published sources in Arabic and English, personal interviews, and frequent visits to Iraq to produce a remarkably lucid and readable account of the emergence of contemporary Iraq and the forces that have shaped it.

Dr. Phebe Marr, recently retired fro m the National Department of defense, and has work ed on several other publications. She was co-edit or of Riding the Tiger: The Middle East Challe nge after the Cold War (Westview 1993) and a contributor to The Government and Politics of the Middle East and North Africa, by David Lo ng and Bernard Reich (Westview 1995). She is a re spected scholar who has spent many years in Iraq.