Historical Dictionary of Iraq

Iraq, the land of Hamurabi and Harun al-Rashid, has played a long and unique role in the history of human civilization. The oldest civilization known to man evolved on the shores of its twin rivers, the Tigris and the Euphrates. The great cities of antiquity-Uruk, Ur, Akkad, Babylon, Basra, Mawsil, and Baghdad-were major centers of high culture and political power for much of the course of human history.

This reference begins with the earliest civilizations and covers the many periods that followed, ranging from the history of ancient Mesopotamia to the Abbasid Empire to present-day Iraq. Included are a historical overview; a country profile; a review of the economy, oil, fauna, and political institution; coverage of the Iran-Iraq War; and coverage of the Kuwait invasion and the second Gulf War and other conflicts. The major ethnic groups such as the Kurds, the Turkumans and the Assyrians, Islam and Muslim sects, Christianity and Christian sects, as well as other religious groups are profiled. Dictionary entries also highlight the main political, religious, and ideological parties, groups, and organizations; major historical personalities; languages; literature; and cultural elements. A broad range of topics, both ancient and modern, are dealt with throughout the introduction and the dictionary, and a comprehensive bibliography complements this extensive historical reference.

Edmund Ghareeb is a resident scholar on Kurdish studies at American University in Washington, D.C. He is also Adjunct Professor of Iraq Studies at Georgetown University, and he has taught at the University of Virginia and George Washington University. He has written articles, chapters, and books dealing with the issues of Iraq. His most recent work is Split Vision: Portrayal of Arabs in the American Media. Dr. Ghareeb was born and educated in Lebanon, where, as a journalist, he followed and wrote on events in the Middle East, including Iraq. Beth K. Dougherty is the Manger Professor of International Relations at Beloit College and the chair of the International Relations program. She is the recipient of the 1999 Underkofler Excellence in Teaching Award at Beloit College and the co-recipient of the 2001 Rowman and Littlefield Award for Innovative Teaching in Political Science, awarded through the national political science association. She specializes in nationalism and ethnic conflict, and human rights, with a focus on Africa and the Middle East.