Empires of the Sand: The Struggle for Mastery in the Middle East 1789-1923

Efraim. Karsh, Inari. Karsh

Harvard University Press, 2001 - History - 409 pages

Empires of the Sand offers a bold and comprehensive reinterpretation of the struggle for mastery in the Middle East during the long nineteenth century (1789-1923). This book denies primacy to Western imperialism in the restructuring of the region and attributes equal responsibility to regional powers. Rejecting the view of modern Middle Eastern history as an offshoot of global power politics, the authors argue that the main impetus for the developments of this momentous period came from the local actors.

Ottoman and Western imperial powers alike are implicated in a delicate balancing act of manipulation and intrigue in which they sought to exploit regional and world affairs to their greatest advantage. Backed by a wealth of archival sources, the authors refute the standard belief that Europe was responsible for the destruction of the Ottoman Empire and the region's political unity. Instead, they show how the Hashemites played a decisive role in shaping present Middle Eastern boundaries and in hastening the collapse of Ottoman rule. Similarly, local states and regimes had few qualms about seeking support and protection from the "infidel" powers they had vilified whenever their interests so required.

Karsh and Karsh see a pattern of pragmatic cooperation and conflict between the Middle East and the West during the past two centuries, rather than a "clash of civilizations." Such a vision affords daringly new ways of viewing the Middle East's past as well as its volatile present.

What people are saying

Review: Empires of the Sand: The Struggle for Mastery in the Middle East, 1789-1923,

User Review  - Richard Willis - Goodreads

There's an interesting premise behind this book, and one that cannot be wholly discarded. It's in an episodal format, rather than a single narrative, but I feel that this was the best way to present the information: piece by piece, as it related to the subjects.

Review: Empires of the Sand: The Struggle for Mastery in the Middle East, 1789-1923

User Review  - Fabián - Goodreads

very good

Contents

• I: 1
• II: 9
• III: 18
• IV: 27
• V: 42
• VI: 68
• VII: 69
• VIII: 94
• IX: 105
• X: 118
• XI: 138
• XII: 150
• XIII: 160
• XIV: 171
• XV: 185
• XVI: 199
• XVII: 222
• XVIII: 245
• XIX: 247
• XX: 259
• XXI: 270
• XXII: 289
• XXIII: 314
• XXIV: 326
• XXV: 343
• XXVI: 357
• XXVII: 359
• XXVIII: 399

About the author

Inari Karsh is a scholar of Middle East history and politics.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Empires of the Sand: The Struggle for Mastery in the Middle East 1789-1923; Armenian Research Center collection
• Authors: Efraim. Karsh, Inari. Karsh
• Edition: illustrated, reprint
• Publisher: Harvard University Press, 2001
• ISBN: 0674005414, 9780674005419
• Length: 409 pages
• Subjects: History / Middle East / General