Bernard Lewis was a renowned historian specializing in the Middle East, whose influential works explored the region's complex history and contemporary challenges. He approached the subject with a deep understanding of its cultural and political dynamics, offering insightful analyses that resonated widely. Lewis's writings are characterized by their scholarly rigor and their ability to illuminate intricate historical narratives for a broad readership. His contributions significantly shaped the understanding of Middle Eastern affairs globally.
The book provides a comprehensive account of Swansea's experiences during World War II, highlighting its strategic significance as a target for Nazi attacks. It details the town's preparations for war, including air-raid shelters and anti-aircraft defenses, and examines the effects of conscription, food rationing, and the plight of Jewish refugees and evacuated children. The narrative explores the impact of air raids, particularly the devastating February 1941 attacks, and the community's responses to emergencies, drawing on extensive archival research and personal stories.
With the departure of imperial powers--and on its own for the first time in almost two centuries--the Middle East must now resolve its political, economic, cultural, and societal problems in order to advance its civilization. In this volume, historian Bernard Lewis discusses the future of the region in this new era: will its nations face cooperation and progress or a vicious cycle of poverty and ignorance? The author examines the most critical issues in detail. Oil may be the Middle East's most important export, but technology will eventually make it obsolete, he warns, leaving those who depend on oil revenues with a bleak future. Water will become a contentious issue between nations. The role of Turkey, Israel, and women in the region are the most potentially transformative factors. If freedom fails and terror triumphs, says Lewis, the peoples of Islam will be the first and greatest victims.
The astonishing story of Henry Coombe-Tennant (1913-89), who served in the
British Army in World War II, escaping from a POW camp, joining Special Forces
and aiding the French Resistance, before working for the British Secret
Service in Baghdad and ending his days as a Benedictine monk!
Exploring Islamic political thought, this collection features 11 essays by Bernard Lewis, a prominent figure in Middle Eastern studies. Renowned for his accessible writing, Lewis engages a diverse audience, including scholars, politicians, and journalists, making complex historical insights approachable for the general public. The essays reflect his deep understanding of the subject, offering valuable perspectives on the interplay between Islam and politics.
There are few historians like Bernard Lewis, who end up as historical actors in their own right. When we think of the Middle East, we see it in terms that he defined and articulated. In this exceptional memoir, the bestselling author of What Went Wrong? shares stories of his wartime service in London and Cairo as an intelligence officer for MI6. After the war, he was the first Western scholar to enter the Ottoman archives. He explains how he coined the phrase "clash of civilizations" in the 1950s, long before anyone imagined that political Islam would one day pose more of a threat than communism. Then September 11 catapulted him onto the world stage. Notes on a Century chronicles a time of spectacular upheaval in the Middle East-from the Second World War and the founding of Israel to the Iranian Revolution and the Arab Spring. Book jacket.
In questo libro ormai classico, Bernard Lewis ribalta la nostra usuale nozione della parola "scoperta": qui gli europei non sono gli esploratori di terre remote e selvagge, ma gli esotici barbari "oggetto di scoperta e di studio da parte di osservatori provenienti dalle terre dell'Islam". Per questo, Lewis racconta la battaglia di Poitiers come dovette apparire non a Carlo Martello ma agli arabi, e Lepanto e l'assedio di Vienna dal punto di vista dei turchi. Racconta soprattutto l'immagine dell'Europa riflessa nelle opere della cultura islamica: un'Europa che nel Medioevo appariva arretrata e incivile, e che nei secoli seguenti diventa sempre più lontana e incomprensibile.
Quando si discute di globalizzazione, emergono atteggiamenti contrastanti: da un lato opportunità e crescita, dall'altro oppressione e mercificazione. Questo fenomeno suscita dibattiti tra studiosi e cittadini, generando sia speranze che timori. È davvero nuovo, o rappresenta una sfida rinnovata alla conoscenza e al progresso, simile a rivoluzioni passate? Se non è innovativo, come possiamo garantire che i benefici siano equamente distribuiti tra i popoli? Il mondo si sta espandendo: commerci, relazioni economiche, politiche e culturali si intrecciano, portando con sé valori e aspirazioni. Tuttavia, sorgono interrogativi su cosa non funzioni in questo processo e su cosa debba essere corretto. È giusto fermare l'espansione o continuare a promuoverla? Le lezioni raccolte nella Sala Zuccari di Palazzo Giustiniani affrontano queste tematiche, presentando contributi di figure di spicco come Giovanni Agnelli, Henry Kissinger, Václav Havel, Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, Bill Gates e Bernard Lewis. Insieme, offrono una prospettiva preziosa e originale sul fenomeno della globalizzazione, esplorando le sue dimensioni economiche, politiche, culturali e storiche.
In a sweeping and vivid survey, renowned historian Bernard Lewis charts the history of the Middle East over the last 2,000 years, from the birth of Christianity through the modern era, focusing on the successive transformations that have shaped it. Elegantly written, scholarly yet accessible, The Middle East is the most comprehensive single volume history of the region ever written from the world's foremost authority on the Middle East. In a sweeping and vivid survey, renowned historian Bernard Lewis charts the history of the Middle East over the last 2,000 years, from the birth of Christianity through the modern era, focusing on the successive transformations that have shaped it. Elegantly written, scholarly yet accessible, The Middle East is the most comprehensive single volume history of the region ever written from the world's foremost authority on the Middle East.
Bernard Lewis, a distinguished scholar fluent in multiple languages, has significantly contributed to the understanding of Islam, the Ottoman Empire, and the modern Middle East for Western audiences. This collection compiles his reflections on Middle Eastern history and foreign affairs spanning six decades. The essays explore various topics, including pan-Arabism, the Mughal and Ottoman empires, and the dynamics between Western powers and the Middle East. They also delve into travel experiences, culinary traditions, and the challenges of documenting Middle Eastern history. Key events of the twentieth century, such as the rise of modern Israel, the Iranian Revolution, and the Gulf War, are examined alongside pressing issues like the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the roles of figures like Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden. The collection features a mix of English originals, previously unpublished writings, and notable essays from esteemed publications like Foreign Affairs and The New York Review of Books. With over fifty pieces accompanied by a personal memoir from Lewis, this anthology serves as an invaluable resource for anyone interested in the complexities of the Middle East, offering deep insights into its history, culture, politics, and contemporary issues.
