History of the Modern Middle East Grant Hurst

Overall, this is a very interesting podcast about a very fascinating subject. As others have mentioned, the speed of the presentation is rather quick, and I find myself rewinding quite a bit. However, the solid writing makes the episodes enjoyable.

Another area of improvement is on the scope and subject of the podcast. While it is about the history of the modern Middle East, it’s very focused on the Ottoman Empire and closely related topics. Of course, you can’t discuss the modern Middle East without devoting a significant amount of attention to the Turks, but the area is incredibly diverse and the history incredibly rich. More focus on other ethnic groups and states would offer a more holistic view as to how West Asia became what it is today.

Four stars is a fair rating for this show because, in the end, it is both educational and involving in a way that many other shows are not. If you like Middle Eastern history, I would recommend it for your library.

The last thing I want to do is discourage your interest in History. I read a few other Reviews of your Podcast and what is actually encouraging is a common theme: you aren't quite there yet, however your potential is excellant! I enquired about the goal bvehind the Podcast because you seem to be putting a lot of effort into providing content for others. Thank you. However, remember your audience. I hope you are alright because I didn't hear you take a single breath. I know this isn't the first comment to find the presentation lacking. The positive part about that is that it's something you can DO something about! So, go back to the drawing board and THINK about the potential causes and effects that have shaped the Modern Middle East. I found your deconstruction of the term "Middle East" fascinating.You are at your best when not reading from a written script. When speaking naturally, your voice is paced perfectly with a very pleasing low warmth tone,but the listener only hears the real you when you state the title. I believe the subject matter deserves a more mature analysis that someone with more experience under their belt can provide.

I don’t have much knowledge of the cultures nor languages associated with the history Hurst discusses, so I can’t speak to the quality of the pronunciation. That said, he covers a lot of material and seems to do his best to summarize things as he proceeds through the narrative. Overall, it’s a solid presentation.