21 Best Books in Middle East Studies? So a group at American University of Cairo mailed 200 professors of Middle East studies asking them for their nomination for the best 21 books in Middle East studies. 52 professors replied, and here are the results. I was one of the 52, and agree with most titles on the list. And for your information, politics aside, I am a fan of Lewis' book on Modern Turkey. He should stick to Turkish history, and end his pontification on the Modern Middle East.