A Modern History of the Kurds by David McDowall, David McDowall

From the Publisher

This comprehensive chronicle of Kurdistan and its people is a revised and updated edition of David McDowall’s acclaimed exploration of recent events in Iran, Iraq and Turkey, and it includes developments in Western Europe following the capture of Abdullah Ocalan. The division of Kurdistan among three modern nation states--Iraq, Turkey and Iran--and the struggle of the Kurdish people for national rights have never been as pressing as they are today.

Library Journal

McDowall, a British specialist on Middle Eastern affairs (Palestine and Israel: The Uprising and Beyond, Univ. of California, 1990) and acknowledged expert on the Kurds, has produced a comprehensive, highly detailed history of the Kurds-the first in English of such depth-focusing primarily on the 19th century to the present. Relying extensively on primary sources including those in Arabic, Turkish, and various languages spoken by the Kurds, he gives considerable coverage to the 1918-25 period, when the Kurds lost their one main opportunity for autonomy after the demise of the Ottoman and Qajar empires. Today's ongoing struggle for Kurdish independence stems from the apportioning that took place during that seven-year period after World War I, dividing the Kurds among the newly created nations of Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Syria. McDowall focuses on the Kurds in Turkey and Iraq, where they constitute more than 20 percent of the population. He also includes background information on Kurdish society not readily available in English, e.g., on the various Islamic sects to which a minority of the Kurds belong. Each chapter concludes with an extensive source and footnote list. Although unquestionably a valuable and well-written work, because of its scholarly nature it is highly recommended only for academic and specialized Middle East collections.-Ruth K. Baacke, Whatcom Cty. Lib. System, Bellingham, Wash.

Booknews

McDowall, who has published one other book on Middle Eastern affairs, depicts here the history of the Kurds from the 19th century to present day, focusing particularly on the Kurds' continuous attempt to achieve rights and ultimately land of their own. He explores the rivalries within Kurdish society and the lack of international support for Kurdish nationalism, while dedicating sections to each of the ethno-national movements in Iraq, Turkey, and Iran. Distributed by Palgrave. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Product Details

• ISBN: 1850434166
  
• ISBN-13: 9781850434160
• Format: Paperback, 504pp
• Publisher: I. B.Tauris & Company, Limited
• Pub. Date: March 2004
• Edition Description: Revised
• Edition Number: 3
• Sales Rank: 166,923

• Table of Contents

Table of Contents