Syria: A History of the Last Hundred Years Hardcover – March 3, 2015

Excellent well documented scholarship reconstructing a very complicated history covering many centuries that is clearly necessary background for an understanding of the challenges confronting all parties today.

Great book. Everyone should read it.

Excellent book. Clear and evenhanded.

McHugo's history of modern Syria has several major flaws. First, he tends to deny Syrians any agency in their actions in foreign affairs. Relatedly, he blames virtually all problems on the actions of colonial powers and the foreign powers he views as their successors. While certainly good to point out views and actions of foreign powers, he seemingly fails to get that all countries have interests and act within power and other constraints. More assessment at how Syria dealt with these problems and reasons for success or failure would be nice. Common to many Arabists, McHugo has a very negative view of Israel, though it is taken to almost parody levels here and eliminates any feeling of balance by usually, though not always, leaving out the Israeli perspective completely. All of this reduces his insight into Syria itself as well as downplaying the impact of Arab interference in Syria. In short, I was left disappointed because the flaws left me not really trusting the analysis presented here, which is a pity. 2* for clear writing style and providing at least an outline of events.

Clear history of background of the war. I learned a lot!