The United States in the Middle East: A Historical Dictionary

(Hardback)

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Description

This historical dictionary brings together information about the people, institutions, and events that brought the United States in contact with the Middle East and have played a significant role in shaping our relations with the area from the eighteenth century to the present time. The author's introduction presents an historical review of the role Americans and American institutions have played in the region. Entries include persons who have actually been in the Middle East, particularly those who left notable written or visual records; organizations and institutions that operated in the Middle East; and events that occurred in the area. Following a descriptive essay, each entry lists books and articles written about the subject, and where relevant, general biographical dictionaries in which the subject appears. Lists of abbreviations and place names, as well as separate bibliography and an index, are provided.

Reviews

Entries in this dictionary list people, institutions, and events involved in two centuries of US-Middle East relations. The wide range of subjects includes diplomats, missionaries, educators, archeologists, travelers, artists, scientists, naval officers, petroleum geologists, businesses (mainly oil companies), and education institutions. Each institutional entry includes data on its founding and importance: entries for events or political doctrines give a concise explanation of background places and dates of birth and death, education, connection with the Middle East, activities not related to the Middle East, and publication. Entries are arranged alphabetically and all include a list of references. Other features include an excellent preface, a comprehensive bibliographical essay on US-Middle East relations, a list of modern place names with former equivalents, a chronology of events from 1787 to 1986, an alphabetical listing of chiefs of American diplomatic mission in the Middle East from 1831 to 1986, an index to individual entries by profession or occupation, and an alphabetical index to all entries including cross-references. Shavit has produced an exceptional reference work that is well researched, clearly written, at times entertaining, and that fills a void in the literature. Highly recommended for collections, public or academic, with an interest in the Middle East or US foreign relations.'-Choice
"Entries in this dictionary list people, institutions, and events involved in two centuries of US-Middle East relations. The wide range of subjects includes diplomats, missionaries, educators, archeologists, travelers, artists, scientists, naval officers, petroleum geologists, businesses (mainly oil companies), and education institutions. Each institutional entry includes data on its founding and importance: entries for events or political doctrines give a concise explanation of background places and dates of birth and death, education, connection with the Middle East, activities not related to the Middle East, and publication. Entries are arranged alphabetically and all include a list of references. Other features include an excellent preface, a comprehensive bibliographical essay on US-Middle East relations, a list of modern place names with former equivalents, a chronology of events from 1787 to 1986, an alphabetical listing of chiefs of American diplomatic mission in the Middle East from 1831 to 1986, an index to individual entries by profession or occupation, and an alphabetical index to all entries including cross-references. Shavit has produced an exceptional reference work that is well researched, clearly written, at times entertaining, and that fills a void in the literature. Highly recommended for collections, public or academic, with an interest in the Middle East or US foreign relations.'"-Choice

Author Bio

DAVID SHAVIT is Associate Professor of Library Science at Northern Illinois University.