Try free for 30 days

  • The Near East

  • A Cultural History
  • By: Arthur Cotterell
  • Narrated by: Liam Gerrard
  • Length: 11 hrs and 5 mins
  • 3.7 out of 5 stars (3 ratings)

1 credit a month to use on any title, yours to keep (you’ll use your first credit on this title).
Stream or download thousands of included titles.
Access to exclusive deals and discounts.
$16.45 a month after 30 day trial. Cancel anytime.
The Near East cover art

The Near East

By: Arthur Cotterell
Narrated by: Liam Gerrard
Try for $0.00

$16.45 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $26.99

Buy Now for $26.99

Pay using voucher balance (if applicable) then card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions Of Use and Privacy Notice and authorise Audible to charge your designated credit card or another available credit card on file.

Publisher's Summary

A sweeping cultural history of the Near East, from the birth of civilisation to the present day. 

The Near East was the cradle of civilisation: the Sumerians invented urban living and writing here, and monotheism was born and spread across the globe. Arthur Cotterell vividly sketches the extraordinary cultures that have left their mark on the region, from their early myths, deities and rituals of worship to their pioneering political systems and military conquests. 

Charting the rise and fall of Assyria and Babylon, the world's first great powers, then exploring the long eras of Persian, Byzantine, Arab and Ottoman rule, The Near East traces the legacy of this rich past through the destabilisation of Western imperialism and beyond. 

This enthralling narrative shows how history has shaped the beliefs, traditions and politics of the Near East, one of the world's most creative, diverse and yet troubled regions.

©2017 Arthur Cotterell (P)2018 Audible, Ltd
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

More from the same

What listeners say about The Near East

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1
  • 4 Stars
    1
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1
  • 4 Stars
    1
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1
  • 4 Stars
    1
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    1

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Not the greatest introduction.

The author states that the work is intended to fill a gap between travel guides and academic works. By this metric it fails. The book is structurally confused with lengthy digression within digressions. Peoples and places are introduced without any attempt to put them in context. It can only really be followed if you have a robust understanding of Near Eastern history already. Particularly through the early part of the book, the author habitually jumps back and forth over a two thousand year span with no real indication that fundamentally different periods are being discussed. The end is also extremely abrupt with no reflection or conclusions drawn from the preceding text. Credits just roll. Generally good narration.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.