Best of Enemies: A History of U.S. and Middle East Relations, Part One: 1783-1953

Ever since U.S. Americans coined the term "The Middle East" to describe the regions surrounding the Meditteranean basin we've been measuring our political power based on what we see or imagine from there. This first in a three volume comics series goes deep into showing this fascinating, complicated, and bloody history. The book begins with origin myths, and clearly lays out 150 years of the tangled web of politics, espionage, and violence. In one memorable panel, we learn, "When the Libyan representative pointed out that the U.S. was also a slave-owning country, [President Thomas] Jefferson grew outraged," and subsequently sent multiple waves of troops to attack Tripoli. The focus of this volume runs from the 1700s to after the second world war. It's an epic story well-told, with major implications for our world today. Highly recommended comics journalism.

(This book may contain a sharpie mark on the top or bottom edge and may show mild signs of shelfwear.)