Students of Western civilization need more than facts. They need to understand the cross-cultural; global exchanges that shaped Western history; to be able to draw connections between the social; cultural; political; economic; and intellectual happenings in a given era; and to see the West not as a fixed region; but a living; evolving construct. These needs have long been central to "The Making of the West." The book's chronological narrative emphasizes the wide variety of peoples and cultures that created Western civilization and places them together in a common context; enabling students to witness the unfolding of Western history; understand change over time; and recognize fundamental relationships.
#132489 in Books Free Press 2016-10-11 2016-10-11Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x 1.10 x 6.00l; .0 #File Name: 1451697759304 pagesFree Press
Review
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful. The myopia of the State Department's Arabist traditionBy CustomerThe book draws a great picture of how misconception or a paradigm can mislead policy. The State Department Arabist were so in love with Arab Nationalism that they became shills for Nasser made him into a hero and led Ike to the greatest policy fiasco until Bush.Unfortunately Obama did not read history of the Near East; he would have learnt that it is counter productive to be an honest broker between Arabs or between them and Israel.Either way the book paints a great scenario of the historical events with the perspective of time.Finally it is clear that the US intervention of 1956 Suez Crisis planted the seeds of the Six Day War and the rest is history.Loved the honest impartial narrative.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. President Eisenhower was the worst President for the US-Israel relationshipBy Uri PilichowskiI just finished Mike Doran's Ike's Gamble about the Eisenhower administration's faulty approach to the Middle East. It is a must read for any Israel advocate. I have consistently maintained that President Eisenhower was the worst President for the US-Israel relationship; and this book proves it.As for the book itself; it flows smoothly and is an easy read. Doran puts you in the room for high powered meetings. You feel like you are back in the 1950's and are incredulous at the mistakes being made.I was impressed by the author's highlighting of alternate theories and why he chose his approach. I highly recommend it!2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Excellent book; which provides insight into the diplomacy of ...By J. Julio E. Herrera VExcellent book; which provides insight into the diplomacy of the USA in the Middle East in the 1950s. It shows how; by waving the flag of democracy and anti-imperialism; Washington muzzled the British and French aspiration to recover grip on the Suez canal and topple Nasser; while it replaced them as the major Western player in the region. However it misses the wider picture; namely; that the main purpose of the US was to keep the influence of the USSR in the World; even if it meant supporting dictators. The trouble is that such policy; which worked in Latin America didn't work with Nasser; who had a mind of his own and craved to become the Arab World leader; regardless of where he could muster support. While reading this book; as well as Alex Von Tunzelmann's "Blood and Sand"; one wonders how so many lessons on the Middle East issues have been forgotten.
