David Lesch takes the reader on an illuminating journey through the last hundred years of Syrian history - from the end of the Ottoman Empire through to the current civil war. Only through understanding the complexities and challenges of Syria's history can this pivotal country in the Middle East begin to rebuild and heal.

What is Syria? --World War One -- The French mandate -- Syria amid the cold wars -- The 1967 Arab-Israeli war -- Syria under Hafiz al-Assad -- Bashar al-Assad in power -- The Syrian uprising and civil war.