Books on Kurds and Kurdistan

This page provides short annotations of a list of books written about Kurds and Kurdistan.  More annotations will be added to this list as they become available. 

History

A Modern History of the Kurds, Revised edition
David McDowall
2001
I B Tauris & Co Ltd
ISBN: 1860645356

This is the definitive Kurdish history, the most comprehensive treatment of Kurdish history available. After a brief mention of pre- nineteenth century Kurdish history, McDowall covers the rise of Kurdish nationalism in the waning decades of the Ottoman state, the formation of the modern Middle East states as they emerged from WWII, the present Kurdish experiment in Iraq, and many details in between.

Kurdistan: In the Shadow of History
Susan Meisalis, Martin Van Bruinessen, A. Whitley

Much more than a coffee table showpiece, this hefty book is a stunning collection of historic photographs, recollections, and historical tidbits painstakingly harvested from diverse sources. The Kurds missed out on their state nearly a century ago. During this period many a history has been written about the four primary states in which they live – but the Kurds in most cases are mentioned only in passing. Meisalis et. al. set out to redress this, and the result is informative, aesthetically enriching, and a great place to start for those uninitiated with Kurdish history.

The Emergence of Kurdish Nationalism, 1800-1925
Robert Olson
1991
University of Texas Press
ISBN: 0292720858

Nationalist strivings by the Kurds have produced few successes, in large part because the interests of other powerful parties have always held sway over the localized efforts of Kurdish nationalist leaders. As this book illustrates, in many ways the challenges faced by current Kurdish leaders mirror those faced by their predecessors.


Politics / Nationalist Movements

The Kurdish Predicament in Iraq: A Political Analysis
Michael M. Gunter
1999
Palgrave
ISBN: 0312218966

This book is essential reading for anyone wishing to understand the intrigues, past and present, that characterize Kurdish political life in Iraq. Gunter begins with the assertion of “past as prologue” by summarizing the writings of two missionary brothers who lived in the area in the early 20th century. He devotes the rest of the book to the three main parties operating in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, the PUK, PKK, and KDP, and their interactions with each other and the neighboring states.

A People Without a Country: The Kurds and Kurdistan
Gerard Chaliand, Editor, Michael Pallis (Translator), David McDowall
1993
Interlink Pub Group
ISBN: 094079392X

Published following the Gulf War, this is a collection of articles on Kurdish political history valuable for its critical approach and treatment of topics not covered elsewhere. The book covers historical Kurdish polities such as the principalities that once buffered the Ottomans and Persians, as well as all four primary modern states where the Kurds live.

After Such Knowledge, What Forgiveness? My Encounters With Kurdistan
Jonathan C. Randal
1999
Westview Press
ISBN: 0813335809

This is an account by a journalist with over three decades of experience following the Kurds. It has garnered considerable attention among Kurdish readers and has been translated into several languages. Randal offers a damning analysis of the West’s betrayal of the Kurds, such as during their victimization by Iraq in the pre- Gulf War period when the U.S. was a supporter of Saddam Hussein. It is an intriguing story told as only an insider can.


Diaspora

Kurdish Diasporas: A Comparative Study of Kurdish Refugee Communities
Osten Wahlbeck
1999
Palgrave
ISBN: 0312220677

The Kurdish presence in the West has grown by leaps and bounds in the past decade. This study of Kurdish refugees living in Finland and the U.K. is a contribution to scholarly arguments on transnational migration and diasporas, as well as the first book on Kurdish communities outside the traditional Kurdish homeland.


Society and Culture

Agha, Shaikh and State : The Social and Political Structures of Kurdistan
Martin Van Bruinessen
1992
Zed Books
ISBN: 185649019X

Anthropologist Martin van Bruinessen is the only author to cover Kurdish social and political structures with such breadth and depth as he does in this book. It is essential reading for anyone interested in the social organization of the Kurds on scales ranging from the household to nationalist movements. Those seeking to understand the Kurds’ plight at the state and international ignore van Bruinessen’s writing on Kurdish “primordial loyalties” at their peril.

Tribe and Kinship Among the Kurds
Lale Yalcin-Heckmann
1991
Peter Lang Publishing
ISBN: 3631427026

While Kurdish society is undergoing tremendous change, the Kurds remain a people organized by tribes and lineages, especially in rural areas. This anthropological study of Kurds in the Hakkari region of Turkey is in-depth and rare in that the author lived in a fixed location, an isolated mountain village, while conducting the research. It nicely complements van Bruinessen’s more wide-ranging study. Those interested in village life in any part of Kurdistan will find it useful.

Women of a Non-State Nation, The Kurds
Shahrzad Mojab, Editor
2001
Mazda Publishers
ISBN: 1568590938

The authors of this book analyze Kurdish women’s history, nationalism, folklore, and other topics. It is the only edited volume in English (and perhaps any language) to focus on gender in Kurdish society. Kurdish women’s struggle for autonomy is embedded in the political struggle of the Kurds generally; these authors have made a significant contribution to understanding the history and complexities of this struggle.


For Those Working with Kurdish Populations

Iraqi Kurds: Their History and Culture (Refugee Fact Sheet Series No.13)
Barbara Robson
1996
Center for Applied Linguistics / The Refugee Service Center
Entire text available online at: http://www.culturalorientation.net/kurds/

This booklet was written with the refugee resettlement counselor in mind. It contains information about Iraqi Kurds and topics such as their history, language, and the practicalities of helping them feel comfortable in a new setting, particularly a Western one. It is concise, but packed with useful pointers that, if heeded, will make for a better resettlement experience for all involved.

Kurdish Culture: A Cross-Cultural Guide
Denise L. Sweetnam
1994
Verlag für Kultur und Wissenschaft, Bonn
ISBN: 3926105194

This book is aimed at the Western reader wanting to know more about Kurdish values and traditions. The author addresses such topics as hospitality, religious practice, and storytelling, drawn from her experience with Kurds living in the Former Soviet Union. Most of her points are applicable to Iraqi Kurds as well, and as such this book is a must-read for non-Kurds wishing to learn more about the basics of Kurdish culture.


For Children

A Kurdish Family
Karen O'Connor, Rick Moncauskas (Photographer)
1996
Lerner Publications Company
ISBN: 0822597438

Few children’s books on the Kurds exist. This one is suitable for children ages nine to twelve. It traces the experience of a Kurdish family as they migrate from their homeland in Iraq to San Diego, California. Children living in the West, whether Kurdish or uninitiated, will find the pictures and narrative informative and interesting.


Annotated Bibliographies

Kurdish Culture and Society: An Annotated Bibliography
Lokman I. Meho, Editor, Kelly L. Maglaughlin, Editor
2001
Greenwood Publishing Group
ISBN: 0313315434

The Kurds and Kurdistan
Lokman I. Meho, Compiler
1997
Greenwood Publishing Group
ISBN: 0313303975

These two volumes challenge the oft-repeated claim that written materials on the Kurds are in short supply. The compilers have seemingly mentioned every conceivable book and article on the topics they take up, and the annotations are useful to a great degree as stand-alone sources. Highly recommended.