In this very interesting book author gives an history of US foreign-office (and related organizations/trailblazers) working in the Middle East from late 19th century 'til 1990's.

From the sound of it you would not say this would be interesting - right. Believe me you would be wrong.

Kaplan follows first contacts of US missionaries/ambassadors (because this is what they were) and mysterious Middle East countries.

First US groups were people dedicated to the overthrow of colonial power (be it British (although US and UK were always close and US missionaries drew inspiration from their British cousins), French or Turkish) and national independence of Arab nations.
These men and women worked on bringing medicines, food and medical training to the rather backwater parts of the world. They opened universities to improve people's lives and ignite national feelings in Arabs. In return they were all taken by the unexplored vast expanses and very curious and proud people living there. They made a base that will enable grow of numerous US diplomats with interest and links to the Middle East - people that will work hard for US interests but very often also follow their own decisions [which very often lead to conflict with realpolitik] based on strong knowledge of area and also experience that back home in US their bosses did not know much.

And then came WW2 and after that something that would shatter Middle East 'til today - creation of state of Israel. This was a trigger that caused almost complete break of connection between US and Arabs. From this point onward everything was determined by realpolitik and US state interests in the region. By walking on a very thin edge US worked hard to remain in contact with both Israel and Arab nations. And this is where old guard had to go out for a sole reason that in real world with nation interests at stake there is no place for romanticism. New people came in and took the mantle and gave their best.

Especially interesting was information how Iraq, Syria and Lebanon were created - it was like by intention everyone that drew the border-lines wanted highly unstable region for years to come (which unfortunately got confirmed in recent years).

Excellent book that shows two important things:
- how easy is to go native when working with same people for a long time and how that might affect the reasoning and judgment in general
- how generalizing is never good - although called Arabists almost of them (with several exceptions that prove the rule) worked hard to bring peace and reason to relations between Israel and Arab nations and treated everyone the same

Highly recommended. ( )

This is certainly one of the best books I have read this year. This book is about the interactions of Americans with the people of the Middle East, predominantly Arab. When we come to that region all we hear about all the time are the machinations and dirty games played by Great Britain, France and the Ottoman Empire. Their intentions have always been imperialistic, to conquer new territories and exploit the resources and peoples of those regions for their own selfish gains.

This stands out in sharp contrast to the early American Protestant idealists and missionaries whose sole goal was selfless service and the imparting of values and education to the locals. The acute hardships that these early pioneers endured, financed entirely by the Church and Clergy is quite remarkable. Many of them succumbed to diseases at a very early age.

Nonwithstanding, there was a steady procession to the levant comprising primarily Iran, Syria, Palestine and Egypt. They setup numerous schools and hospitals many of which survive to this day. With their selfless service they endeared themselves to the local Arab Moslem population who almost worshipped them. The schools and universities they setup let to the creation of an educated Arab middle class and supplied that region with it's professionals the Teachers, Doctors, Engineers and Nurses and led to the kindling of Arab Nationalism.

One term that is very often attributed to these early Pioneers is New England Brahmins. It is truly amazing the composition of these people. They formed the cream of the society, the blue blooded direct descendents of the Mayflower English Protestants, went to the best schools like Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Amherst, were true WASPs belonging to protestant denominations like congregationalist, methodist, presbyterian, episcopalian, dutch reformed church and then went off to these distant calls to perform selfless service by setting up schools, hospitals and forever endeared themselves to the local Arab population.

This is certainly one of the best books I have read this year. This book is about the interactions of Americans with the people of the Middle East, predominantly Arab. When we come to that region all we hear about all the time are the machinations and dirty games played by Great Britain, France and the Ottoman Empire. Their intentions have always been imperialistic, to conquer new territories and exploit the resources and peoples of those regions for their own selfish gains.

This stands out in sharp contrast to the early American Protestant idealists and missionaries whose sole goal was selfless service and the imparting of values and education to the locals. The acute hardships that these early pioneers endured, financed entirely by the Church and Clergy is quite remarkable. Many of them succumbed to diseases at a very early age.

Nonwithstanding, there was a steady procession to the levant comprising primarily Iran, Syria, Palestine and Egypt. They setup numerous schools and hospitals many of which survive to this day. With their selfless service they endeared themselves to the local Arab Moslem population who almost worshipped them. The schools and universities they setup let to the creation of an educated Arab middle class and supplied that region with it's professionals the Teachers, Doctors, Engineers and Nurses and led to the kindling of Arab Nationalism.

One term that is very often attributed to these early Pioneers is New England Brahmins. It is truly amazing the composition of these people. They formed the cream of the society, the blue blooded direct descendents of the Mayflower English Protestants, went to the best schools like Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Amherst, were true WASPs belonging to protestant denominations like congregationalist, methodist, presbyterian, episcopalian, dutch reformed church and then went off to these distant calls to perform selfless service by setting up schools, hospitals and forever endeared themselves to the local Arab population.

Kaplan had written about the early days of involvement in the Middle East. We had on the ground information with people who understood the territory and spoke the language. I love this author and everything he has written. ( )

A well written history of American involvement in the Middle East. ( )