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ICPR 274: History of the Middle East (HC): Background Information

ICPR 274: History of the Middle East: 18th C to the Present (Helfont) Fall 2017

Sultan Receiving Dignitaries

Konstanton Kapidagli, Sultan Selim III in audience, ca. 1789, Topkapi Palace Museum (Source: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Handbooks and Companions

The following sources provide overviews of Middle Eastern history.  They are a quick way to find out the basic facts and recent scholarly interpretations.

When using an article in an encyclopedia or handbook, always check the bibliography for further reading at the end of the article. It will provide a selective list of the books, articles, and, frequently, Web resources considered to be the most up-to-date and reliable.

Historiography

Historians have interpreted events in the Middle East from a variety of different viewpoints.  Analysis of these interpretations, known generally as historiography, can give more nuance to your arguments and provide a greater context for your understanding.

Subject Guide

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Margaret Schaus