Syria

“[Neep] writes vividly, telling Syrian history through the push-and-pull of social forces rather than an endless succession of Sultans and military coups.”—Daily Telegraph

“Daniel Neep’s excellent, comprehensive history of ‘modern’ Syria corrects the traditional narrative of a passive Syria by placing its people at the heart of their story…masterly narrative.”—Financial Times

“A comprehensive, analytically sophisticated English-language history of modern Syria, one that successfully challenges both externalist and culturalist orthodoxies. For English-language readers seeking to understand Syria's modern trajectory—scholars, students, policymakers, journalists, and engaged publics—this will become an important reference for years to come.”—Middle East Journal

“A crucial resource for those interested in Syria’s past, present, and potential futures.”

“A nuanced history of Syria…an illuminating, comprehensive study of the region.”—Publishers Weekly

“Neep’s sweeping account tracks the story of how a country and its people have sought to make sense of its place in the world while enduring dictatorship, war and terrorism.”—Financial Times, "What to read in 2026"

“Daniel Neep has delivered a masterful history of Syria that is both sweeping in scope and brimming with vivid detail. Grounded in rigorous research, great storytelling, and original analysis, this is a riveting and insightful book.”—Wendy Pearlman, author of We Crossed a Bridge and It Trembled

“Drawing on a wide range of Arabic sources, Neep reframes our understanding of Syria’s turbulent political history with careful attention to both highly local dynamics and the broader regional and international context. This magnificent, beautifully written political history will be required reading for anyone interested in Syria or the broader Middle East.”—Marc Lynch, author of America’s Middle East

“This is a rare book that magnificently captures how Syria’s political sediments shaped its trajectory from the late Ottoman period through to the collapse of the Assad regime. Neep is a masterful storyteller who weaves together Syria’s many conflicts over society, politics, identity, and the state into a highly readable text.”—Samer Abboud, Villanova University