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Black Wave

Saudi Arabia, Iran and the Rivalry That Unravelled the Middle East

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Black Wave

By: Kim Ghattas
Narrated by: Kim Ghattas, Nan McNamara
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Summary

 A timely and unprecedented examination of how the modern Middle East unravelled, and why it started with the pivotal year of 1979

'What happened to us?'

For decades, the question has haunted the Arab and Muslim world, heard across Iran and Syria, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, and in the author's home country of Lebanon. Was it always so? When did the extremism, intolerance and bloodletting of today displace the region's cultural promise and diversity?

In Black Wave, award-winning journalist and author Kim Ghattas argues that the turning point in the modern history of the Middle East can be located in the toxic confluence of three major events in 1979: the Iranian revolution; the siege of the Holy Mosque in Mecca; and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Before this year, Saudi Arabia and Iran had been working allies and twin pillars of US strategy in the region - but the radical legacy of these events made them mortal enemies, unleashing a process that transformed culture, society, religion and geopolitics across the region for decades to come.

Drawing on a sweeping cast of characters across seven countries over forty years, Ghattas demonstrates how this rivalry for religious and cultural supremacy has fed intolerance, suppressed cultural expression, encouraged sectarian violence, birthed groups like Hezbollah and ISIS and, ultimately, upended the lives of millions. At once bold and intimate, Black Wave is a remarkable and engrossing story of the Middle East as it has never been told before.

(P)2020 Tantor©2020 Kim Ghattas Anthropology Middle East Politics & Government Royalty Iran Africa Saudi Arabia Ottoman Empire Middle Ages War
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Beautifully narrated riveting explanation of 40 years of Middle East history. For someone with only a passing interest in this area, this book took me on a wonderful tour around the region and through time. A thread is delicately weaved through tales of people and towns that I had heard on the news throughout my life. I am looking forward to listening to it again armed with insight gained from the first hearing.

Brilliant

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This is an extraordinary book. Making sense and unraveling a complex story that has shaped our world. Should be compulsory reading for anyone in government.

A real five star eye opener

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Rarely write reviews but will make a exception for this as it is absolutely gripping from the first page.

Would highly recommend even if you feel you have only a outline interest in middle east related issues.

Superb

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The book draws on the ever-growing complex web known as Middle East politics. It aims to remain factual on historical events yet hints on the author's thoughts between the lines. Recommended read to anyone who is interested in understanding historical events in the Middle East since 1970s to date, with particular focus
on the role of Saudi Arabia and Iran's feud in shaping alliances and hostilities among countries in the region.

While the book is a knowledge mine and comprehensive, it was 1 star short from an overall 5 start review due to the narration. Although the overall English narration was clear, as an Arabic speaker I could not help overcome the inaccurate pronunciation of the non-native speaking narrator of characters, cities, and phrases portrayed in the book. Nonetheless, I very much enjoyed reading this book. Good luck.

Historical Deep Dive of Middle East Politics

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This book explains well one of the most important conflicts of our age. It helps put much of the present troubles in the middle east in context. Prior reviews coming about the narration are unusual : I found the reader clear, accurate and engaging.

Valuable book

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