Middle Eastern Politics and Historical Memory

<p>How is the complex history of the ancient Near East and Islamic World brought to bear in contemporary political discourse? <p/>In this book Medieval Near Eastern historian Jacob Lassner explores the resonance of ancient and medieval history in the political disputes that dominate the contemporary Middle East. <p/>From identification with ancient forbears as a method of legitimization and nation-building to tracing the deep history of the concept of revolution in the Arab world the author probes the historical foundations of modern conflicts in the region. A medievalist the author takes the position that an appreciation of cultural history is essential to understanding the debate surrounding the Israel/Palestine conflict. In turn the book identifies the misappropriation and misunderstanding of the past deliberate or accidental as key weapon in the ongoing conflict.</p>