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.