The Greater Middle East: Travelogue & Reflections

Professor Chang's travelogue, "Greater Middle East: Travelogue and Reflections," is a history reader, cultural primer, and notebook of a peripatetic rolled into a single volume. He proposes the concept of a Greater Middle East that consists of 16 countries of the traditional Middle East, plus another 15 located on its periphery. The book explores the fringes of the region, including North Africas Maghreb, the Horn of Africa, the Mediterraneans, and the southern Caucasus. The author is not an Arabist, anthropologist, or travel writer, but benefits from their firm grounding in East Asian culture and history.

Format: Hardback
Length: 372 pages
Publication date: 21 July 2021
Publisher: Peter Lang Publishing Inc

Greater Middle East: Travelogue and Reflections is a captivating blend of history, cultural insights, and personal reflections rolled into a single, comprehensive volume. Born and raised in Taiwan, Professor Chang embarked on a self-styled voyage across civilizations, traversing from Gondar, Ethiopia, where his parents pioneered a medical center for the World Health Organization in the early 1960s. Spanning over five decades, he undertook numerous journeys, visiting a remarkable 105 countries and immersing himself in diverse cultures.

Two striking statistics shed light on his extensive travels: a total of 58 years spent exploring the world. Drawing from his firsthand observations, Professor Chang proposes the concept of a Greater Middle East, which encompasses 16 countries of the traditional Middle East, as well as an additional 15 located on its periphery. Except for Israel, the former group is predominantly Muslim, with Egypt to the west, Yemen and Oman to the south, Turkey to the north, and Iran to the east. However, this travelogue takes us beyond the familiar boundaries, venturing into the diverse regions of North Africa's Maghreb, the Horn of Africa, where Asia and Africa converge, particularly in Ethiopia with its Orthodox Christian faith and Jewish Falasha community, the Mediterranean countries of Greece, Cyprus, and Malta, and the eclectic mix of ethnicities and religions found in the southern Caucasus, including Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan.

Professor Chang is not an Arabist, anthropologist, or traditional travel writer like the sometimes-acerbic Paul Theroux. Instead, he brings a unique perspective, having been educated in East Asian culture and history. While this travelogue may not be a direct Chinese interpretation of the Greater Middle East, it undeniably benefits from the author's deep understanding of East Asian culture and history. Particularly noteworthy are several bonus chapters that document the profound impact of the Mongol Empire and the nomadic culture of the Turkic people.

In conclusion, Greater Middle East: Travelogue and Reflections is a remarkable work that offers a comprehensive and immersive exploration of the diverse civilizations of the Middle East and beyond. Through Professor Chang's personal experiences and insightful observations, readers gain a deeper understanding of the region's history, culture, and people. This travelogue is a valuable resource for anyone interested in exploring the complexities of the Middle East and beyond, providing a wealth of information and insights that will enrich their understanding of the world.

Weight: 606g
Dimension: 225 x 150 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781433179266
Edition number: New ed