"Extremely welcome. [This volume] presents a review and critical overview of the field by combining a discussion of relevant historiography in the introduction and a fine collection of essays."—Middle East Journal
"This book is highly recommended for both introductory and advanced readers on the subject. It offers a series of fine syntheses of genuine value and sets a new benchmark for future studies."—Journal of Social History
"Rich resources and a great deal of new information for students of the Arab Middle East. . . . Of particular interest is the explanation of Islam’s deep ties to urban institutions and the interconnectedness of religion and civic ties. There is also an excellent and comprehensive bibliography. Highly recommended."—Choice
Description
The great cities of the Middle East and North Africa have long attracted the attention and interest of historians. With the discovery and wider use over the last few decades of Islamic court records and Ottoman administrative documents, our knowledge of Middle Eastern cities between the seventeenth and early twentieth centuries has vastly expanded. Drawing upon a treasure trove of documents and using a variety of methodologies, the contributors succeed in providing a significant overview of the ways in which Middle Eastern cities can be studied, as well as an excellent introduction to current literature in the field.
About the Author
Peter Sluglett is professor of Middle Eastern history at the University of Utah, Salt Lake City. He is the author of Britain in Iraq: Contriving King and Country and coauthor of Iraq since 1958: From Revolution to Dictatorship.
August 2011