The nation that will insist upon drawing a broad line of distinction between the fighting man and the thinking man is liable to find its fighting done by fools and its thinking by cowards.
-- Sir William Francis Butler
Perhaps now more than ever, Margaret Nydell's Understanding Arabs is a must-read. The fifth edition of this classic introduction to Arab culture has been completely revised and updated to help readers understand the complex issues playing out on the world stage such as the Arab Spring. Understanding Arabs: A Contemporary Guide to Arab Society is a handbook accessible to everyone. Written by the highly esteemed linguist, Margaret Nydell, the book promotes understanding between modern-day Arabs and Westerners without pushing a political agenda.