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The Yacoubian Building
by Alaa Al Aswany • 2002
A fading Cairo building: three tenants test what dignity costs when the state is the landlord.
3.72
23k+
The Yacoubian Building Summary
The Yacoubian Building 90%
A fading Cairo building: three tenants test what dignity costs when the state is the landlord.
by Alaa Al Aswany 2002
3.72
23k+ ratings
If an Egyptian Cannot Speak English
by Noor Naga • 2022
An Egyptian-American returns to Cairo to find her roots and falls into a consuming, doomed affair.
3.93
13k+
If an Egyptian Cannot Speak English Summary
If an Egyptian Cannot Speak English 89%
An Egyptian-American returns to Cairo to find her roots and falls into a consuming, doomed affair.
by Noor Naga 2022
3.93
13k+ ratings
The Muslim Brotherhood and the West
by Martyn Frampton • 2018
The West tried suppressing, bribing, and ignoring the Muslim Brotherhood. Every approach backfired.
3.69
13
The Muslim Brotherhood and the West Summary
The Muslim Brotherhood and the West 88%
The West tried suppressing, bribing, and ignoring the Muslim Brotherhood. Every approach backfired.
by Martyn Frampton 2018
3.69
13 ratings
Sayyid Qutb and the Origins of Radical Islamism
by John Calvert • 2009
How a shy literary critic in Cairo forged the ideology that fuels global jihad.
4.01
132
Sayyid Qutb and the Origins of Radical Islamism Summary
Sayyid Qutb and the Origins of Radical Islamism 88%
How a shy literary critic in Cairo forged the ideology that fuels global jihad.
by John Calvert 2009
4.01
132 ratings
The Arab Uprising
by Marc Lynch • 2012
Arab youth, armed with TV and social media, toppled dictators. Then the counterrevolution began.
3.65
246
The Arab Uprising Summary
The Arab Uprising 88%
Arab youth, armed with TV and social media, toppled dictators. Then the counterrevolution began.
by Marc Lynch 2012
3.65
246 ratings
Woman at Point Zero
by Nawal El Saadawi • 1975
On death row, an Egyptian woman shares her life of abuse and the murder she calls liberation.
4.24
31k+
Woman at Point Zero Summary
Woman at Point Zero 88%
On death row, an Egyptian woman shares her life of abuse and the murder she calls liberation.
by Nawal El Saadawi 1975
4.24
31k+ ratings
Palace Walk
by Naguib Mahfouz • 1956
Under a patriarch's iron piety a Cairo family strains toward love and freedom as revolution ignites.
4.20
23k+
Palace Walk Summary
Palace Walk 88%
Under a patriarch's iron piety a Cairo family strains toward love and freedom as revolution ignites.
by Naguib Mahfouz 1956
4.20
23k+ ratings
The Levant Trilogy
by Olivia Manning • 1980
Under Rommel's threat in Cairo, a neglected wife and a young soldier seek belonging and meaning.
4.34
2k+
The Levant Trilogy Summary
The Levant Trilogy 87%
Under Rommel's threat in Cairo, a neglected wife and a young soldier seek belonging and meaning.
by Olivia Manning 1980
4.34
2k+ ratings
Daughter of Persia
by Sattareh Farman Farmaian • 1992
Born to a prince in Persia, she builds a social work school, then revolution exiles her.
4.13
2k+
Daughter of Persia Summary
Daughter of Persia 87%
Born to a prince in Persia, she builds a social work school, then revolution exiles her.
by Sattareh Farman Farmaian 1992
4.13
2k+ ratings
Nefertiti Lived Here
by Mary Chubb • 1954
A Bloomsbury secretary joined an Egyptian dig and moved into the house where Nefertiti lived.
4.19
172
Nefertiti Lived Here Summary
Nefertiti Lived Here 87%
A Bloomsbury secretary joined an Egyptian dig and moved into the house where Nefertiti lived.
by Mary Chubb 1954
4.19
172 ratings
Islam and Democracy
by Fatema Mernissi • 1992
The Arab world resists democracy not over scripture but over a deeper terror: the free individual.
3.83
210
Islam and Democracy Summary
Islam and Democracy 87%
The Arab world resists democracy not over scripture but over a deeper terror: the free individual.
by Fatema Mernissi 1992
3.83
210 ratings
The Battle For Syria
by Christopher Phillips • 2016
Syria's uprising became a proxy war: six outside powers picking sides and arming their own factions.
4.16
291
The Battle For Syria Summary
The Battle For Syria 87%
Syria's uprising became a proxy war: six outside powers picking sides and arming their own factions.
by Christopher Phillips 2016
4.16
291 ratings
Iran Awakening
by Shirin Ebadi • 2006
Iran stripped her of her judgeship. She became the regime's most dangerous opponent: a lawyer.
4.18
6k+
Iran Awakening Summary
Iran Awakening 87%
Iran stripped her of her judgeship. She became the regime's most dangerous opponent: a lawyer.
by Shirin Ebadi 2006
4.18
6k+ ratings
King of Kings
by Scott Anderson • 2025
A deluded king, a blind superpower, and the cassette tapes that toppled a dynasty.
4.33
5k+
King of Kings Summary
King of Kings 87%
A deluded king, a blind superpower, and the cassette tapes that toppled a dynasty.
by Scott Anderson 2025
4.33
5k+ ratings
Lipstick Jihad
by Azadeh Moaveni • 2005
A pink headscarf, a bugged apartment: she returned to Iran to belong, but the country disagreed.
3.70
5k+
Lipstick Jihad Summary
Lipstick Jihad 87%
A pink headscarf, a bugged apartment: she returned to Iran to belong, but the country disagreed.
by Azadeh Moaveni 2005
3.70
5k+ ratings
Resistance
by Alastair Crooke • 2009
The Islamist revolution isn't about land: it's a fight over what a human being is.
4.00
36
Resistance Summary
Resistance 87%
The Islamist revolution isn't about land: it's a fight over what a human being is.
by Alastair Crooke 2009
4.00
36 ratings
The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt
by Toby Wilkinson • 2010
Three millennia of pharaohs, and the engine beneath every pyramid was absolute, merciless power.
4.13
7k+
The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt Summary
The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt 87%
Three millennia of pharaohs, and the engine beneath every pyramid was absolute, merciless power.
by Toby Wilkinson 2010
4.13
7k+ ratings
Iran Between Two Revolutions
by Ervand Abrahamian • 1982
Iran's two revolutions share the same roots: communal rivalries, foreign pressure, class conflict.
4.13
2k+
Iran Between Two Revolutions Summary
Iran Between Two Revolutions 87%
Iran's two revolutions share the same roots: communal rivalries, foreign pressure, class conflict.
by Ervand Abrahamian 1982
4.13
2k+ ratings
Khomeinism
by Ervand Abrahamian • 1993
The Islamic Republic was never fundamentalist. It was populist, and that explains everything.
3.89
171
Khomeinism Summary
Khomeinism 87%
The Islamic Republic was never fundamentalist. It was populist, and that explains everything.
by Ervand Abrahamian 1993
3.89
171 ratings
The Miracle of the Kurds
by Stephen Mansfield • 2014
After surviving genocide, a forgotten people built the freest, most hopeful society in Iraq.
4.09
335
The Miracle of the Kurds Summary
The Miracle of the Kurds 87%
After surviving genocide, a forgotten people built the freest, most hopeful society in Iraq.
by Stephen Mansfield 2014
4.09
335 ratings
Power, Politics and Culture
by Edward W. Said • 2001
The scholar who revealed how Western learning became a tool of empire, in his own words.
4.26
613
Power, Politics and Culture Summary
Power, Politics and Culture 87%
The scholar who revealed how Western learning became a tool of empire, in his own words.
by Edward W. Said 2001
4.26
613 ratings
Treacherous Alliance
by Trita Parsi • 2007
Israel and Iran wage a cold war for regional dominance, not an ancient religious feud.
4.12
555
Treacherous Alliance Summary
Treacherous Alliance 87%
Israel and Iran wage a cold war for regional dominance, not an ancient religious feud.
by Trita Parsi 2007
4.12
555 ratings
The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy
by John J. Mearsheimer • 2006
How a single interest group has reshaped U.S. Middle East policy, often against American interests.
4.12
4k+
The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy Summary
The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy 86%
How a single interest group has reshaped U.S. Middle East policy, often against American interests.
by John J. Mearsheimer 2006
4.12
4k+ ratings
Digital Authoritarianism in the Middle East
by Marc Owen Jones • 2022
Gulf states built a global disinformation machine from bots, fake journalists, and Western PR firms.
4.21
19
Digital Authoritarianism in the Middle East Summary
Digital Authoritarianism in the Middle East 86%
Gulf states built a global disinformation machine from bots, fake journalists, and Western PR firms.
by Marc Owen Jones 2022
4.21
19 ratings
The Complete Infidel's Guide to Iran
by Robert Spencer • 2016
Iran's theology commands deception and world conquest. The nuclear deal ignored both.
3.53
73
The Complete Infidel's Guide to Iran Summary
The Complete Infidel's Guide to Iran 86%
Iran's theology commands deception and world conquest. The nuclear deal ignored both.
by Robert Spencer 2016
3.53
73 ratings
Excellent Daughters
by Katherine Zoepf • 2016
Young Arab women are renegotiating sex, marriage, and honor, far from the headlines.
3.88
1k+
Excellent Daughters Summary
Excellent Daughters 86%
Young Arab women are renegotiating sex, marriage, and honor, far from the headlines.
by Katherine Zoepf 2016
3.88
1k+ ratings
Black Flags
by Joby Warrick • 2015
How a petty Jordanian criminal became the world's most hunted terrorist and the blueprint for ISIS.
4.32
17k+
Black Flags Summary
Black Flags 86%
How a petty Jordanian criminal became the world's most hunted terrorist and the blueprint for ISIS.
by Joby Warrick 2015
4.32
17k+ ratings
Women in the Valley of the Kings
by Kathleen Sheppard • 2024
Egyptology's famous men dug up tombs. The women who built the field got erased.
3.50
2k+
Women in the Valley of the Kings Summary
Women in the Valley of the Kings 86%
Egyptology's famous men dug up tombs. The women who built the field got erased.
by Kathleen Sheppard 2024
3.50
2k+ ratings
The Loom of Time
by Robert D. Kaplan • 2023
The Middle East was shaped for empire, not democracy. The West still refuses to believe it.
4.27
553
The Loom of Time Summary
The Loom of Time 86%
The Middle East was shaped for empire, not democracy. The West still refuses to believe it.
by Robert D. Kaplan 2023
4.27
553 ratings
City of Gold
by Jim Krane • 2009
Dubai's skyline was built by men who will never be allowed to call it home.
3.97
776
City of Gold Summary
City of Gold 86%
Dubai's skyline was built by men who will never be allowed to call it home.
by Jim Krane 2009
3.97
776 ratings
Imperial Hubris
by Michael Scheuer • 2004
Al-Qaeda is not a terror group but an insurgency, and American policy is its top recruiter.
3.81
2k+
Imperial Hubris Summary
Imperial Hubris 86%
Al-Qaeda is not a terror group but an insurgency, and American policy is its top recruiter.
by Michael Scheuer 2004
3.81
2k+ ratings
The Case for Colonialism
by Bruce Gilley • 2023
Start new colonies from scratch. The controversial solution to a century of post-colonial disaster.
4.32
191
The Case for Colonialism Summary
The Case for Colonialism 86%
Start new colonies from scratch. The controversial solution to a century of post-colonial disaster.
by Bruce Gilley 2023
4.32
191 ratings
The Management of Savagery
by Max Blumenthal • 2019
Al Qaeda, ISIS, and Trump: three products of the same American national security machine.
4.29
807
The Management of Savagery Summary
The Management of Savagery 86%
Al Qaeda, ISIS, and Trump: three products of the same American national security machine.
by Max Blumenthal 2019
4.29
807 ratings
Badjens
by Delphine Minoui • 2024
In Iran, after a woman dies in custody, an unwanted girl joins the uprising.
4.25
2k+
Badjens Summary
Badjens 86%
In Iran, after a woman dies in custody, an unwanted girl joins the uprising.
by Delphine Minoui 2024
4.25
2k+ ratings
Ancient Egypt
by History Brought Alive • 2021
The Nile shaped everything: how one river turned a desert into history's most enduring civilization.
3.55
22
Ancient Egypt Summary
Ancient Egypt 86%
The Nile shaped everything: how one river turned a desert into history's most enduring civilization.
by History Brought Alive 2021
3.55
22 ratings
From Miniskirt to Hijab
by Jacqueline Saper • 2019
A Jewish girl's Tehran: cocktail parties, then revolution, then air raids, then one desperate exit.
4.16
667
From Miniskirt to Hijab Summary
From Miniskirt to Hijab 86%
A Jewish girl's Tehran: cocktail parties, then revolution, then air raids, then one desperate exit.
by Jacqueline Saper 2019
4.16
667 ratings
Rebel Cities
by David Harvey • 2012
Capitalism doesn't just happen in cities. It happens through them, and the rent is coming due.
3.92
2k+
Rebel Cities Summary
Rebel Cities 86%
Capitalism doesn't just happen in cities. It happens through them, and the rent is coming due.
by David Harvey 2012
3.92
2k+ ratings
The Last Shah
by Ray Takeyh • 2021
Two Pahlavi kings tried to drag Iran into modernity by force. Both died in exile.
3.90
202
The Last Shah Summary
The Last Shah 86%
Two Pahlavi kings tried to drag Iran into modernity by force. Both died in exile.
by Ray Takeyh 2021
3.90
202 ratings
Lily of the Nile
by Stephanie Dray • 2011
A captive in the emperor's house, Cleopatra's daughter hides divine powers she cannot yet control.
3.89
7k+
Lily of the Nile Summary
Lily of the Nile 86%
A captive in the emperor's house, Cleopatra's daughter hides divine powers she cannot yet control.
by Stephanie Dray 2011
3.89
7k+ ratings
What Went Wrong? The Clash Between Islam & Modernity in the Middle East
by Bernard Lewis • 2001
For centuries Islam led the world. Then, suddenly, it fell behind. A historian asks why.
3.55
4k+
What Went Wrong? The Clash Between Islam & Modernity in the Middle East Summary
What Went Wrong? The Clash Between Islam & Modernity in the Middle East 86%
For centuries Islam led the world. Then, suddenly, it fell behind. A historian asks why.
by Bernard Lewis 2001
3.55
4k+ ratings
Superman Is an Arab
by Joumana Haddad • 2012
An Arab feminist declares war on God, marriage, and the toxic myth of the invincible man.
3.53
682
Superman Is an Arab Summary
Superman Is an Arab 86%
An Arab feminist declares war on God, marriage, and the toxic myth of the invincible man.
by Joumana Haddad 2012
3.53
682 ratings
The Great Betrayal
by Fawaz A. Gerges • 2025
Arab Spring didn't cause chaos; its brutal suppression did, continuing a century of betrayal.
4.26
31
The Great Betrayal Summary
The Great Betrayal 86%
Arab Spring didn't cause chaos; its brutal suppression did, continuing a century of betrayal.
by Fawaz A. Gerges 2025
4.26
31 ratings
The Shia Revival
by Vali Nasr • 2006
America's Iraq invasion accidentally broke a 1,400-year Sunni order. Iran seized the opening.
3.88
2k+
The Shia Revival Summary
The Shia Revival 86%
America's Iraq invasion accidentally broke a 1,400-year Sunni order. Iran seized the opening.
by Vali Nasr 2006
3.88
2k+ ratings
An Unnecessary Woman
by Rabih Alameddine • 2013
At 72, a Beirut recluse has spent her life secretly translating masterpieces no one will ever read.
3.83
14k+
An Unnecessary Woman Summary
An Unnecessary Woman 86%
At 72, a Beirut recluse has spent her life secretly translating masterpieces no one will ever read.
by Rabih Alameddine 2013
3.83
14k+ ratings
Iran's Grand Strategy
by Vali Nasr • 2025
Iran looks like a religious crusade. It operates as a nation-state with calculated grand strategy.
4.21
563
Iran's Grand Strategy Summary
Iran's Grand Strategy 86%
Iran looks like a religious crusade. It operates as a nation-state with calculated grand strategy.
by Vali Nasr 2025
4.21
563 ratings
Capital City
by Samuel Stein • 2019
Gentrification is not a market outcome. It is policy, written by the real estate industry.
3.92
2k+
Capital City Summary
Capital City 86%
Gentrification is not a market outcome. It is policy, written by the real estate industry.
by Samuel Stein 2019
3.92
2k+ ratings
Enter Ghost
by Isabella Hammad • 2023
A British-Palestinian actress joins a West Bank Hamlet, where the play's ghosts never stay onstage.
4.11
12k+
Enter Ghost Summary
Enter Ghost 86%
A British-Palestinian actress joins a West Bank Hamlet, where the play's ghosts never stay onstage.
by Isabella Hammad 2023
4.11
12k+ ratings
The Ayatollah Begs to Differ
by Hooman Majd • 2008
Iran's paradoxes are a platform, not a bug, built from Shia ritual and Persian pride.
3.76
2k+
The Ayatollah Begs to Differ Summary
The Ayatollah Begs to Differ 86%
Iran's paradoxes are a platform, not a bug, built from Shia ritual and Persian pride.
by Hooman Majd 2008
3.76
2k+ ratings
They Must Be Stopped
by Brigitte Gabriel • 2008
The Muslim Brotherhood's hundred-year plan to infiltrate and dominate the West is already underway.
4.18
458
They Must Be Stopped Summary
They Must Be Stopped 86%
The Muslim Brotherhood's hundred-year plan to infiltrate and dominate the West is already underway.
by Brigitte Gabriel 2008
4.18
458 ratings
The Fall of Heaven
by Andrew Scott Cooper • 2016
Oil wealth, repression, reform: how Iran's last shah built the forces that destroyed him.
4.16
931
The Fall of Heaven Summary
The Fall of Heaven 86%
Oil wealth, repression, reform: how Iran's last shah built the forces that destroyed him.
by Andrew Scott Cooper 2016
4.16
931 ratings
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