A House of Many Mansions: The History of Lebanon Reconsidered

Nice book that explains the history of Lebanon and where the people living near the Mount came from. We all have a mythical idea of where we come from and we all know this is usually the stick/carrot for nationalist to 'beat' us with. We also know -if we admit it -that we are all a mix of races, creeds and colours that move with the pressure and circumstance that we live with.

Having lived in Lebanon for most of my life, Salibi’s book is an unbiased view of Lebanese history. It is very informative for both Lebanese and non-Lebanese. It is a good source for trying to understand the factors behind Lebanon’s civil war (1975-1990) and recent uprising against the Syrian army and intelligence in Lebanon. I highly recommend this book.

This is a well-researched and inviting historical narrative on the many different visions for Lebanon. Salibi looks past the state propaganda which taught students that they are descendants from Phoenicians, when in fact the Lebanese people according to the medieval Arabic documents he looks at, are originally from Yemen and Oman. Although he contends that they are a mix of different ethnic groups, he points to an exodus 10 000 years ago from Southern Arabia. Salibi maintains that the desperate attempt to steer Lebanon away from its Arab roots are folly, in that we don't know much about the Phoenicians, because they didn't leave much behind to study. The reader will learn a thing or two he/she did not know before.

Having just read Robert Fisk's "Pity the Nation", I wanted to learn more about the history of Lebanon ... and acquire more background on the various factions that shaped the area's history in the 1900's. But I was specifically interested in something of a non-partisan, more scholarly bent. Fortunately, Kamal Salibi's book filled the bill. I found it to be eminently readable (I am a layperson as far as history goes) ... but more importantly thoughtful. I would highly recommend it to anyone who would like to sort out the many disparate (and warring, unfortunately) groups who have inhabited the region.

Every single line in this book is a valuable piece of information. It clarifies many of the myths in our oriental history an presents it in real facts using logic and evidence free from bias and prejudice, unlike many historical books that have been written on false basis in order to prove apolitical party correct in its effort to justify a non-existing nationalism. Anyone interested in the history of the Levant and every Arabic person must read this book.

Could not put this book down. It's a great resource to explain the origin of Lebanon and Syria. What is amazing is that after so many years of conflicts, Lebanese politicians HAVE NOT learned a thing. (because what happened in the 1500s and 1800s is repeated over and over). I think it must be a requirement to whoever gets into politics to read this book. Maybe they will eventually learn something and get this country to show the world its true potential.

At the same time, a very professional scholarly work and an enjoyable read. Good at setting the middle eastern context of Lebanese history. However, the author seems to take sides when he is deconstructing the classical Lebanist version of history (such as the muslim religious persecutions, the mountain refuge, and the Shehabi state), as all his arguments go in the same anti-Lebanist direction.