For the past forty years the story of the Middle East has been simple. The news images flashing across our TV screens from the Middle East provoked anger, outrage and, sometimes military action from the international community. But now the handful of dictators who ruled over hundreds of millions of people with an iron fist are locked up, exiled, fighting for their lives or buried in unmarked graves, leaving behind countries in turmoil. Saddam Hussein, Assad, Ben Ali, Muammar Gaddafi and Hosni Mubarak all lived lives of cartoonish excess, stalked their own people, snatched them from their beds and murdered them before their children. The West propped these men up because, so the story went, the alternative was states falling under the influence of the communist block or later into the arms of radical Islam. That narrative of the old Middle East lasted as long as the old Arab dictators did. But now these men are gone. In 2011 the people of the western world realised for the first time that the people of the Arab world weren't all brooding fanatics who needed to be kept in check by a reign of terror. If now is the first time that they can speak openly then it is also our first chance to listen. We can ask what kind of societies they are going to build and learn how their decisions will change our lives. The countries engulfed by the Arab Spring -Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Syria - are on a journey from dictatorship to democracy and together they will shape a New Middle East. Danahar also reveals the quiet but equally profound revolution going in Israel where tensions between religious and secular Jews are threatening the fabric of society. He investigates how that and the changing regional dynamics while shape the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Provides a profile of Britain and her people in a collection of interviews with citizens during the time of the papal visit, the Falklands crisis, a great railway strike, spiraling unemployment, and the birth of Prince William

Product Description: Narrated by dozens of activists and everyday individuals, this book documents the unprecedented events that led to the collapse of dictatorial regimes in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, and Yemen. Beginning in 2011, these stories offer unique access to the message that inspired citizens to act, their experiences during revolt, and the lessons they learned from some of the most dramatic changes and appalling events to occur in the history of the Arab world...read more

"The people want - " So began the slogan chanted by millions of protesters across the Arab world in 2011, as their long-suppressed craving for democracy revealed itself. But huge social and economic problems were also laid bare by the protestors' demands. In this landmark work, noted Middle East analyst Gilbert Achcar draws up a balance sheet of the uprisings in Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen, Bahrain, Libya and Syria, and analyses the specific socio-economic features that hinder the region's development. Achcar also sheds light on the nature and role of the movements that use Islam as a political banner and the oil monarchies that sponsor them. With incisive and invaluable insight, Achcar outlines the requirements for a lasting solution to the social crisis and the contours of a progressive political alternative. What we have witnessed to date is only the beginning of a revolutionary process that is likely to extend for many more years to come.

Product Description: The electoral success of Islamist parties in the MENA in the wake of the Arab Spring has been welcomed by their Islamist proponents that were under pressure of their former regimes. However, their success has been met with concerns and fears by secularists and religious minorities of these countries...read more

The Dawn of the Arab Uprisings sheds light on the historical context and initial impact of the mass uprisings that have shaken the Arab world since December 2010. The volume documents the first nine months of the Arab uprisings and explains the backgrounds and trajectories of these popular movements and regime strategies to contain them. It provides critical analysis and at times first-hand accounts of events that have received little or superficial coverage in Western and Arab media alike. While the book focuses on those states that have been most affected by the uprisings, inlcuding Tunisia, Egypt, Bahrain, Libya, Yemen, and Syria, it also covers the impact on Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Algeria, Palestine, Lebanon, and Iraq.As the initial phase of the uprisings subsides, counter-revolution sets in, and grand narratives crystallize, it is important to take note of the diversity of reactions that emanated from activists, scholars, and others as the uprisings were first unfolding. In this sense, the volume archives the realm of possibilities, both imaginative and practical, optimistic and pessimistic, that were opened up as people sought to make sense of the rapidly unfolding events.The volume features a Forward by Roger Owen, an Introduction by the editors, and an Epilogue by Madawi al-Rasheed. The bulk of the volume is divided into three sets of sections. The first section contains theoretical, conceptual , and comparative chapters. The next set of sections (each with an introduction) contain chapters on Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Bahrain, Yemen, and Syria. The third section (with an introduction) is entitled "Regional Reverberations," and features chapters on Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Algeria, Iraq, Palestine, and Lebanon. The authors, many of whom live in the countries affected, provide unique understanding and first-hand accounts of events that have received superficial and partial coverage in Western and Arab media alike. The Dawn of the Arab Uprisings covers the full range of issues involved in these historic events, from political economy, to the role of social media, to international politics, gender, labor, and impact on culture, making this the ideal one-stop introduction to the events for the novice and specialist alike.

Product Description: Each title in the highly acclaimed Opposing Viewpoints series explores a specific issue by placing expert opinions in a unique pro/con format; the viewpoints are selected from a wide range of highly respected and often hard-to-find publications...read more

Product Description: From Libya in the east to the Gulf peninsula in the west, the 'Arab Spring' has shaken entrenched regimes. Decades-old dictatorships have fallen after mass protests. Whilst the final outcome is unclear, the historical importance of these events is beyond doubt...read more

Tales and legends chronicling the world's beginnings and the happenings of the First Age set the stage for Tolkien's other classic works and focus on the theft of the Elves' jewels by Morgoth, first dark Lord of Middle-earth

Product Description: Neve Williams prided herself on her interviewing skills, but Rob Stowe was clearly reluctant to talk her. It might have been something to do with the unexpected physical attraction between them!The feature meant that they had to meet often, and eventually they had to give in to temptation...read more

Product Description: Natural Mother (Harlequin Presents) [Dec 01, 1999] Williams, Cathy

Provides a profile of Britain and her people in a collection of interviews with citizens during the time of the papal visit, the Falklands crisis, a great railway strike, spiraling unemployment, and the birth of Prince William