Download or read book Understanding the Contemporary Middle East written by Jillian Schwedler and published by . This book was released on 2008 with total page 508 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The third edition of Understanding the Contemporary Middle East includes two entirely new chapters, one on religion and politics and one on the economies of the Middle East, as well as a greatly expanded discussion of the 2003 invasion of Iraq. In addition, all of the chapters have been fully updated. Maps, photographs, and tables of basic political data enhance the text, which has already made its place as the best available introduction to the region.