No other region in the world today is as important as the Middle East, and no people are more misunderstood than the Arabs. In this timeless masterpiece, esteemed Oxford historian Albert Hourani tells the true story of the Arab peoples. From the spread of Islam to the Palestinian issue, from the Prophet Muhammad to Muammar Gaddafi. "A History of the Arab World" is a testament to the rich intellectual, political, and cultural heritage of this unique civilization through thirteen centuries of war, peace, literature, and religion. And it gives us an idea of how the future of this glorious and disputed land may unfold.