A History of the Arab Peoples

By Albert Hourani,

Book cover of A History of the Arab Peoples

Book description

Upon its publication in 1991, Albert Hourani's masterwork was hailed as the definitive story of Arab civilization, and became both a bestseller and an instant classic. In a panoramic view encompassing twelve centuries of Arab history and culture, Hourani brilliantly illuminated the people and events that have fundamentally shaped the…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked A History of the Arab Peoples as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

The Arabs, as the most widespread and influential ethnic group in the Middle East, challenge historians to tell their stories in a way that is coherent, consistent, and engaging. This book accomplishes this task well, weaving together a disparate history, that reaches from the Atlantic to South Asia, across multiple kingdoms, dynasties, nations, republics, and political movements. At times rulers, and at times subjects of foreign empires, the Arabs nonetheless maintained a consistency of culture and civilization, in the midst of wildly divergent political systems and geographic locations.  Hourani manages to tell a single story, but while still doing justice…

From Wayne's list on the history of the Middle East.

Want books like A History of the Arab Peoples?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like A History of the Arab Peoples.

Browse books like A History of the Arab Peoples

Book cover of The Concise History of the Crusades
Book cover of When Baghdad Ruled the Muslim World: The Rise and Fall of Islam's Greatest Dynasty
Book cover of The Ottoman Endgame: War, Revolution and the Making of the Modern Middle East, 1908-1923

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,487

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in the Arab world, Arabs, and the Middle East?

The Arab World 17 books
Arabs 19 books
The Middle East 193 books