A Rage for Order: The Middle East in Turmoil, from Tahrir Square to ISIS

The Arab uprisings, or "Arab Spring" as some have referred to them, shook the foundation of several Arab regimes and caused the downfall of governments. Some states, particularly the pro-Western monarchies in the Persian Gulf, adopted highly repressive policies and have, at least for now, succeeded in insulating themselves from the political tremors of these revolts. In this highly readable book, Worth, the former Beirut bureau chief for the New York Times, seeks to explain the fallout of the demonstrations. He doesn't provide a comprehensive history but rather focuses on the collapse of authority and political disintegration in many parts of the Middle East. He accomplishes this with a narrative written through the lens of those whose lives have been affected by the revolutions in Egypt, Libya, Syria, Yemen, and Tunisia. The prose is both captivating and informative. Worth illuminates why groups such as the Islamic State (IS) have been able to establish a firm foothold in countries such as Syria and Iraq.