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The 2013 Winners are In!



Daunt Books Children's Short Story Competition 2013

Middle East

• Turkey
• Syria
• Lebanon
• Jordan
• Israel
• Palestine
• Iraq
• Iran
• Saudi Arabia
• Gulf
• Yemen

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  Dubai Pocket Guide by Berlitz

  Price: £5.99    Add to Basket

  A thorough guide to the region with detailed advice on activities and sights in each neighbourhood, as well as a little historical context. It includes a basic map with transport links.

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  Patriot of Persia by Christopher de Bellaigue

  Price: £9.99    Add to Basket

  On 19 August 1953 the British and American intelligence agencies launched a desperate coup against a cussed, bedridden 72-year-old. His name was Muhammad Mossadegh, the Iranian prime minister. To Winston Churchill he was a lunatic, determined to humiliate Britain. To President Eisenhower he was delivering Iran to the Soviets. Mossadegh had to go. De Bellaigue shows us how the west pushed him out, and how his deposition affected one of the Middle East's most progressive, nations.

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  The Mongols by David Morgan

  Price: £23.50    Add to Basket

  The best work on the Mongols since its first edition publication in 1986, this revised 2nd edition of David Morgans essential work is the essential starting point to learning about histories greatest land empire and dispelling the myths of the Nomadic Mongols as barbarians. A student of Middle East studies luminaries such as Anne Lambton and Bernard Lewis, Morgan guides us through the empire, from its formation on the steppes of Central Asia to its dominance, in the forms of the Golden Horde, Ilkhanate and Yuan Dynasty (in Russia, the Middle East and China respectively), of the majority of Eurasia. A must-read.

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  Forever War by Dexter Filkins

  Price: £8.99    Add to Basket

  Award-winning New York Times correspondent Dexter Filkins provides a visceral understanding of the wars in Afghanistan and Iran. An astonishing piece of unflinching and compassionate journalism which seeks to portray the human experience of war.

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  Orientalism by Edward Said

  Price: £10.99    Add to Basket

  One of the most influential pieces in the history of post-colonial literature. Fluent, readable and profound.

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  The Arabs by Eugene Rogan

  Price: £12.99    Add to Basket

  A marvellous, fast-paced and informative history of the Arab people. Highly recommended for anyone wishing to understand Middle Eastern affairs from an Arab point of view.

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  Turkey by Cadogan

  Price: £14.99    Add to Basket

  A great cultural guide with decent practical information for the traveller on a slightly more generous budget.

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  An Ottoman Traveller by Evliya Celebi

  Price: £16.99    Add to Basket

  A unique perspective of 17th Century life. The author travelled across Europe and North Africa exploring his interests in people, architecture, religion, science, food and music.

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  Ataturk by Andrew Mango

  Price: £14.99    Add to Basket

  A brilliant biography of the pivotal figure of 20th century Turkey whose legacy still permeates the country; essential reading for those who wish to understand modern Turkey.

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  The New Turkey by Chris Morris

  Price: £9.99    Add to Basket

  A fascinating account of modern Turkish life, from the BBC's former correspondent in the region. It provides an excellent overview and analysis of the issues facing Turkey in the 21st century.

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  Memed, My Hawk by Yashar Kemal

  Price: £11.99    Add to Basket

  A favourite novel we highly recommend for its brilliant portrayal of the harsh realities of peasant life told within the structure of a compelling tale of adventure and adversity. A classic of true world class.

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  Snow by Orhan Pamuk

  Price: £8.99    Add to Basket

  A compulsive thriller, albeit in the hands of Pamuk so much more than that, with at its heart the confrontation between secular and extremist Islamic forces, set in Kars as winter grips the city. Recommended.

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  Constantinople by Philip Mansel

  Price: £14.99    Add to Basket

  Outstanding, definitive history of Otoman Constantinople from Mehmed conquest in 1453 to the collapse of the Caliphate in 1924. It is authoritative and written with verve; highly recommended.

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  The Janissary Tree by Jason Goodwin

  Price: £7.99    Add to Basket

  An entertaining thriller set in Istanbul at the beginning of the 19th century. The crime-solving eunuch Yashim must investigate a potential revolt as bodies start appearing around the city. More than just a page-turner, this gripping novel is well-researched and brings to life the city in 1836.

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  Portrait of a Turkish Family by Irfan Orga

  Price: £12.99    Add to Basket

  The most beautifully written, fascinating and moving of memoirs by anyone, about anywhere. It spans the last days of Ottoman Istanbul, family life in the seclusion of the harem to Turkey's emergence as a modern state under Ataturk. This is a quite exceptional book that we can not recommend too highly.

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  Strolling through Istanbul by John Freely & Hilary Sumner-Boyd

  Price: £12.99    Add to Basket

  A lovely walking guide to the monuments and sites of Istanbul accompanied by stories and a history of the city. Perfect for the sightseer although should be bought alongside a practical guide and a decent map.

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  The Kackar: Trekking in Turkey's Black Sea Mountains by Kate Clow

  Price: £13.99    Add to Basket

  For serious trekkers and casual walkers alike the Kackar offer breathtakingly beautiful routes. An excellent guide that is highly recommended.

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  Monuments of Syria by Ross Burns

  Price: £14.99    Add to Basket

  Marvellous, serious guide to the monuments - in short indispensible. History, description, plans, all you need in a necessarily large format. Highly recommended.

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  The Dark Side of Love by Rafik Schami

  Price: £9.99    Add to Basket

  A fantastically written novel, part murder mystery and part reconstruction of Syria's tribal history through the story of two lovers. Highly recommended.

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  Syria by Diana Darke

  Price: £15.99    Add to Basket

  The best general guide, well written and informative, balancing practical help with intelligent, concise coverage of the sights. To be much preferred over the Lonely Planet.

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  Damascus by Carole Corm

  Price: £15.00    Add to Basket

  An excellent, thoughtful guidebook to the city written by a resident journalist. Corm has also engaged locals, from architects to film-makers, to recommend their favourite spots in the city.

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  The Secret Life of Syrian Lingerie by Malu Halasa & Rana Salan

  Price: £16.99    Add to Basket

  A wonderful, enchanting book which explores the lingerie market flourishing in the souks of modern Syria. Interviews with the creators, the sellers and the buyers of the remarkably exotic underwear are accompanied by rich photographs.

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  Lebanon Through Writer's Eyes by Ted & Andree Feghali Gorton

  Price: £12.99    Add to Basket

  Husband and wife team Ted and Andree Feghali Gorton have lovingly collated this series of travel writings to build a rich and literary picture of Lebanon through the eyes of writers from Colin Thubron to Gustave Flaubert.

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  Jordan by Bradt

  Price: £16.99    Add to Basket

  The thorough, informative guide to the country. Abundant practical information and plenty of photographs accompany a detailed historical background.

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  King Hussein of Jordan by Nigel Ashton

  Price: £14.99    Add to Basket

  The most recent biography of the King of Jordan, balanced and carefully researched, it deals well with Hussein's relationships in the Middle East.