A history of pastoral nomads in the Islamic Middle East from the rise of Islam, through the middle periods when Mongols and Turks ruled most of the region, to the decline of nomadism in the twentieth century. Offering a vivid insight into the impact of nomads on the politics, culture, and ideology of the region, Beatrice Forbes Manz examines and challenges existing perceptions of these nomads, including the popular cyclical model of nomad-settled interaction developed by Ibn Khaldun. Looking at both the Arab Bedouin and the nomads from the Eurasian steppe, Manz demonstrates the significance of Bedouin and Turco-Mongolian contributions to cultural production and political ideology in the Middle East, and shows the central role played by pastoral nomads in war, trade, and state-building throughout history. Nomads provided horses and soldiers for war, the livestock and guidance which made long-distance trade possible, and animal products to provision the region's growing cities.

Winner, 2022 Choice Outstanding Academic Titles

‘The history of nomadic peoples has too often been dismissed as not worth investigating but Manz shows their interaction with sedentary societies displayed a remarkable continuity down to the 20th century-a wonderful corrective that throws fresh light on a neglected relationship. Manz’s book restores the history of nomadic peoples in the Middle East and Central Asia to the place it deserves. Portraying them at the center of interactions with sedentary societies that lasted more than 1500 years, this uniquely comprehensive history documents their integral role in the region’s political and economic history.’

Thomas Barfield - Boston University

‘This is a comprehensive, insightful and lucid survey of the rise and impact of nomadic confederacies, whether Arab Bedouins, Turks or Mongols, on a vast tract from Syria to Afghanistan and spanning the period from the advent of Islam to the present day. It will be warmly welcomed.’

Peter Jackson - Keele University

‘Nothing matches this analytically deft and eminently readable work about the role of nomads in the Islamic world from the appearance of Islam in the 7th century until modern times. Always keeping the distinction between tribes and nomads in mind, the author lays out the diversity and the complexity of the nomadic world, antagonistic to urban life but also living in a symbiotic relationship with established states. By showing how nomads supplied valuable commodities, provided valuable military service and ended up being formidable state builders, she makes a strong case for the vital part these now largely vanished masters of mobility played in shaping Middle Eastern civilization.’

Rudi Matthee - University of Delaware

‘Nomads in the Middle East is exceptional. Beatrice Manz offers a stunningly rich overview over more than one millennium of nomad history. Nomad and settled peoples are seen in confrontation and competition, but most of the time in cooperation, even synthesis. A must for every student of Middle Eastern history.’

Jürgen Paul - Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg

‘… an exceptionally impressive and ambitious study offering a broad and panoramic history of nomadic societies in the Middle East from the seventh century all the way through to the modern era. … this is a very thought-provoking piece of work.’

Nicholas Morton Source: Journal of the Medieval Mediterranean

‘A must-read volume for anyone looking to explore Middle Eastern history … Highly recommended.’

I. Blumi Source: Choice