This book provides a vivid and readable account of Lebanon's development since its first emergence in 1585, unravelling the intricacies of the sectarian/religious groups and the special kinds of communities which have sunk 900-year-old roots in the remote fastnesses of the Mount Lebanon interior.
Preface -- Introduction -- The emergence of inter-sect rule (1516–1920) -- Foundations of the modern state (1920–43) -- The experience of independence (1943–67) -- The breakdown starts (1967–75) -- Eighteen months of civil war (1975-6) -- A troubled inter bellum (1977–82) -- The battles of Beirut (1982–4) -- Conclusions: the inter-sect system enters its fifth century
Biography
A former Middle East correspondent for the Sunday Times of London, Helena Cobban now writes a regular column on global affairs for the Christian Science Monitor. She has published four books on war and peace issues in the Middle East. Cobban also sits on an advisory committee for Human Rights Watch and is a member of the International Institute of Strategic Studies.
