Smith (International Alert, London) begins this book with a discussion of what, exactly, constitutes the "Middle East." With this deliberation he illustrates that even the very definition of the region is fraught with controversy. This very informative and readable book is not an atlas in the traditional sense; it provides as much narrative as graphic content. It is divided into three parts: "Shaping of the Middle East," which addresses the historical underpinnings of current conflicts; "Arenas of Conflict," which gives synopses of various points of conflict; and "State of the Nations," which provides statistical information about social and economic indicators such as literacy and number of persons per car. Throughout the book, chronologies are included where appropriate, as are colorful maps and charts. This volume is very well indexed and offers an extensive bibliography that includes official reports, articles, and electronic sources, as well as books. In this concise overview of the history, conflicts, and controversial politics of the Middle East, Smith makes every attempt to be evenhanded. He provides facts in context so that readers can draw their own conclusions. For those who seek a short yet comprehensive source about the region, this would be an excellent choice. ^BSumming Up: Highly recommended. Lower-level undergraduates through graduate students, professionals, and general readers. P.J. Beegle Nova Southeastern University

This atlas by Smith (secretary-general, International Alert; The State of the World Atlas) successfully educates the reader about the Middle East region and the conflicts, both historical and modern, that have led to the current situation in this part of the world. In his introduction, Smith delves into the controversies surrounding even the definition of the region and the selection of countries it should include. The book, which contains 60 maps, five tables, and seven color illustrations, is divided into three sections. Part 1 examines the historical background of the Middle East, Part 2 focuses on the issues causing conflict, and Part 3 is a demographic comparison of the countries involved that addresses religion, health, government, and education. A brief index and simple glossary round out the book, which, although concise, fit the needs of the average user. Bottom Line The readable yet informed language of the text, combined with the multitude of visual aids, make this work accessible to the average reader while providing accurate and detailed information. This work should be considered for reference and undergraduate collections and would also be suitable in format and price for the circulating collections of most public libraries.-Lynne Minnick, Fort Vancouver Regional Lib., WA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.