Arabic Thought in the Liberal Age 1798 1939 is the most comprehensive study of the modernizing trend of political and social thought in the Arab Middle East. Albert Hourani studies the way in which ideas about politics and society changed during the nineteenth and the first half of the twentieth centuries, in response to the expanding influence of Europe. His main attention is given to the movement of ideas in Egypt and Lebanon. He shows how two streams of thought, the one aiming to restate the social principles of Islam, and the other to justify the separation of religion from politics,...

This reader brings together key writings on the modern history of the Middle East by some of the best-known specialists in the field. Covering two centuries of change, from 1789 to the present day, the selection is carefully designed for students and is the only text of its kind available. Fully updated with two new chapters to take into account recent world events, this book remains of great use to all those with a general interest in the Middle East.