Five books for Arabs

At Paper Cuts, the New York Times' blog for books, Barry Gewen named five works of nonfiction for the Kalima project, an initiative backed by the UAE to translate from English to Arabic "literature [which] best captures American dreams, opportunities and challenges" and "books [that] could help build mutual understanding between the United States and the Arab World."

One title on Gewen's list:

“A Peace to End All Peace,” by David Fromkin. First published in 1989 and scheduled to be reissued in a new edition next year, this remains the finest history of the modern Middle East. Anyone who wants to know why the region is in the shape it is has to read this book — and that includes English-language speakers.

Read about all five titles on the list.

--Marshal Zeringue