Reading List
In preparation for his trip to Damascus, Al-Farabi has incorporated a steady diet of books, journal publications, and newspaper articles to expand his understanding of Syria. For those who are at a starting point, the following book list might prove useful:
Damascus: A History. By, Ross Burns.
Fantastic background on Syria’s capital. Burns does not gloss over any foreign invader, charismatic figure, or major development in the city.
Monuments of Syria: An Historical Guide. By, Ross Burns.
Great for travelers in Syria. Suggests itineraries for day, week, and month long trips. Absolutely peruse this book before making your trip.
Asad of Syria: The Struggle for the Middle East By, Patrick Seale.
The rise of Hafiz al-Assad and his rule over Syria. Author is sympathetic to Asad. Important narrative.
Syria: Revolution from Above. By, Raymond Hinnebusch.
Covers the Ba’ath coup and subsequent policies implemented by its leaders. Overlaps some of Seale’s account, but it goes into further detail with economic policies.
Inheriting Syria: Bashar’s Trial By Fire. By, Flynt Leverett.
The transition of power and an optimistic outlook on domestic reform. So far, Bashar appears more in his father’s legacy than a reformer.
Ambiguities of Domination: Politics, Rhetoric, and Symbols in Contemporary Syria. By, Lisa Weeden
How authoritarian rulers use symbols and messages to extend their hold on power. Perhaps no better case than in Syria.
Syria and the Palestinians: The Clash of Nationalisms. By, Ghada Hashem Talhami.
An important look at the interplay of Palestinian nationalism and Syria’s view as the champion of the Palestinian cause.
Mirror to Damascus. By, Colin Thubron
A personal account of a British traveler in Syria. It’s a bit dated but useful.
The International Politics of the Middle East. By, Raymond Hinnebusch.
Excellent primer for Middle Eastern politics. The section on Syrian identity is a succinct summary of Ba’ath party rule and how it came to be.
A friend once told me that reading lists are no good unless you mention the best book of the group. It’s tough to say which book is the best in this case. However, if you could only read one, Asad of Syria is probably the best. Seale’s is the only book of the above that puts the reader in the shoes of the cult of personality in Syria.
