Introduction. Part I: Getting Acquainted with the Middle East.
Chapter 1: The Middle East's Relevance in the 21st Century.
Chapter 2: Charting a Map.
Chapter 3: Middle Eastern Hospitality.
Part II: The History of the Middle East.
Chapter 4: The Ancient Middle East.
Chapter 5: The Medieval Middle East.
Chapter 6: The Modern Middle East.
Part III: Politics, Islam, and Oil: Three Reasons Not to Ignore the Middle East.
Chapter 7: Leadership: Kings, Presidents, and Dictators.
Chapter 8: Islamic Militancy in a Nutshell.
Chapter 9: Islam and the West.
Chapter 10: It's All About the Oil: Economics in the Middle East.
Part IV: Regions in Turmoil.
Chapter 11: The Powder Keg: Israel and Palestine.
Chapter 12: Iraq.
Chapter 13: Afghanistan.
Chapter 14: Pakistan.
Part V: Regions in Repair.
Chapter 15: North Africa.
Chapter 16: Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.
Chapter 17: The Arabian Peninsula.
Chapter 18: Non-Arab Muslim States.
Part VI: Cultural Contributions of the Middle East.
Chapter 19: A Mosaic of Religions.
Chapter 20: Religions on the Edge.
Chapter 21: The Family: The Hub of Middle Eastern Life.
Chapter 22: Language and Literature.
Chapter 23: Arts and Sciences.
Part VII: The Part of Tens.
Chapter 24: Ten Key Ethnic Groups.
Chapter 25: Ten Key Militant Groups.
Chapter 26: Ten Key Challenges.
Index.
