A problem with books about the Middle East that include “today” in the title is “today” becomes “yesterday” so rapidly that attempts to produce a volume with more than ephemeral value is indeed difficult. Any textbook dealing with the Middle East should strive to be other than an account of current events. Figures dealing with current population, per capita income, and gross national product, are likely to become quickly outdated. It is better to deal with long-term trends and fundamental influences, such as the continuing role of religion, the influence of population shifts on politics, the impact of resources on economies, and past history as the fountainhead of contemporary political change.