The fourth edition of Professor Goldschmidt's text has been extensively revised to reflect the latest scholarship and the most recent events in the Middle East, including the international response to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. As an introduction to the history of this turbulent region from the beginnings of Islam to the present day, the book is distinguished by its clear style, broad scope, and balanced treatment. Directed at the college student, the text assumes no prior knowledge of Middle Eastern history. It focuses on the evolution of Islamic institutions and culture, the influence of the West, the modernization efforts of Middle Eastern governments, the struggle of various peoples for political independence, the course of the Arab-Israeli conflict, and the reassertion of Islamic values and power.