Between Arabia and the Holy Land

Book excerpt: This volume is a general survey of the history of Jordan from ancient times to the present. The author covers the major events that took place in this region since ancient times. Starting with the history of the region in Biblical times, the author discusses the major developments in the ancient kingdoms of Edom, Moab, and Amon, which shared common borders with the Hebrew kingdoms. He then provides a detailed coverage of the events that took place during the Nabatean period. The author demonstrates how the character of this region had changed with the rise of Islam and the expansion of the Arabs and their encounter with the Byzantines. In addition, the author demonstrates how the rise of the Mamluk Sultanate affected the region. The author provides a detailed analysis explaining how the Hashemite Kingdom Jordan emerged and how the Ottomans and the British contributed to its rise. In addition to the political developments that took place in this region, the reader will become familiar with the economic, social, and cultural developments which contributed to the emergence of the modern Hashemite Kingdom. The book’s audience includes college undergraduates, graduates, postgraduates, scholars, as well as lay readers with interest in this strategically important region. The book is based on primary and secondary sources written in several languages.