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The Kurds

A Modern History

Michael Gunter author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Markus Wiener Publishing Inc

Published:27th Sep '16

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

The Kurds cover

This updated 2017 edition covers the latest events in Syria, Turkey and Iraq. The approximately 30 million or more Kurds famously constitute the largest nation in the world without its own independent state. The desire of many Kurds for independence, or at least cultural and even political autonomy, has led to an almost continuous series of Kurdish revolts. The resulting situation constitutes the Kurdish problem or question.

Calling on more than 30 years of studying the Kurdish issue, numerous trips to the region, and many contacts among the Kurds, including almost all of their main leaders, Michael Gunter has written a short, but thorough history of the Kurds that is well documented, but still proves very readable. His narrative also includes numerous interesting personal experiences that will further explain these people who are for the most part moderate Muslims in favour of gender equality and are also wildly pro-American.

"Michael Gunter’s well-structured monograph is an exceptionally accessible study of the Kurds and should be considered a mandatory read for undergraduate students with an interest in international relations. A general readership will also benefit, gaining a deeper understanding of regional intricacies that contributed to the rise of the Kurds as political actors in the region." - Kurdish Studies (4.2)


"Gunter writes probably the best overview of the Kurds in the Middle East. It is very readable, and covers a breadth of history without getting bogged down in the details. For those looking for a beginning book on the topic this would be a great start."- 'Musings on Iraq' blog

ISBN: 9781558766204

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: 580g

288 pages

Updated 2017 Edition