Peter Mansfield Viking, 1991 - Middle East - 373 pages 3 Reviews Mansfield draws on his experience as a journalist and historian to explore two centuries of history in this volatile area of the world, which has been torn by conflicts, both cultural and economic, for more than 4,000 years. Rich in detail, authoritative, and informative, A History of the Middle East sheds new light on a subject of ever-increasing interest as we enter the 21st century.