As a follow up to “Jerusalem 1913“, I have just read “The History of the Arab Peoples” by Albert Hourani. I came across it a few weeks ago at the airport on my way to Italy, and I have finally struggled my way through it.
The book is a very comprehensive piece of work. This is what I think, as a non-versed-one in Arab history. I must say that it gave me valuable information, not only on the Arabs and how they have been living, but also more generally on the formation of complex, urban societies with rural hinterlands, and the allocation of power in developing communities.
The first sections of the book mainly deal with the world of the prophet Mohammed, the Arab rulers and their religious enablers – Shah’s, Caliphs, Sultans, Emirs, Imams, the Shari’a etc. – in the greater Middle East. It shows clearly how the Arabic rulers used the same kind of legitimating principle as in the west, by associating themselves closely to a religious caste or by claiming prophet lineage. This can be compared to when emperors and kings were inaugurated by religious chiefs, priests and popes.
It’s funny how we all started out to make the masses believe there is a God and then continued to exercise power over them in the name of that God. Better yet: this gullibility took forever to wear off to a degree that made democracy possible here in the west.
The book also covers practical life in the Arab world, much like Norbert Elias’ “Über den Prozess der Zivilisation” does about Europe. That in itself is very interesting, because it gives one a nice insight into the world of 1001 nights; how people lived in the cities, how the towns were built up and organised, and how religion was practised. A broader view in the book paints the picture of the struggle for hegemony by the rulers and their families, and the formation of larger power units, a process which eventually lead to the Ottoman Empire.
Last but not least, “History of the Arab Peoples” covers the wars that were fought in the name of religion – but quite profanely for power – against the infidel, or the heathen, depending on the perspective: the Muslim Jihad or the Christian Crusades.
The Ottoman Empire fell in 1923, and in that period other empires – Russia, Austria-Hungary and Germany – kicked the bucket, too. That makes for riveting reading, especially for an old anti-authoritarian autonomist like me. Big rulers in high places fall deep to eventually become insignificant people. (In case of a happy end, that is…) I like that, especially when it happens to someone who thinks his power over the people is handed to him by some higher being.
The book is worth the trouble and is a must for anyone who wants to understand the Arab People, their history, and something about the generic process of civilisation. One warning though: Hourani wrote a thick book in small print, that can take you forever to read if you don’t have enough stamina. It might be a good idea to have something lighter as a side dish, like Tim Parks “Italian Neighbours“. I did that too. It takes the pressure off, somehow, and it replenishes a sense of humour that Hourani’s book lacks entirely.
