Brave Attempt to Explain Situation in Middle East

Emma Sky has a great deal of experience of the situation in the Middle East having worked there for both the UK and US and travelled extensively throughout the region and this book reflects her knowledge. In A Time of Monsters is a well written account based on her interaction with officials and local people in many of the regions throughout the Middle East. There are so many different factions and groups fighting in the area that it is almost impossible to understand the reasons behind the extreme unrest. As I was reading this book from time to time the Scottish clan warfare which lasted from around the 14th to the 17th centuries came to mind when the author wrote of the different tribes at war. There is also the difficulties of people of different religions being unable to live peacefully side by side. Once again I thought of Scotland and the Covenanters. In all the years of unrest in Scotland there were no other countries financing clans or supplying weapons and I wonder if aid helps or hinders a settlement. The author concludes by writing about the hope she has for the region but, at the moment, it's difficult to know how peace can be brought about. This is a very informative, interesting and thought-provoking book particularly as the author doesn't limit herself to writing solely about the situation in the Middle East but includes a chapter about the impact on the rest of the world.