This book offers a timely and concise overview of Armenian history.Payaslian is a well respected and well connected member of the vast Armenian-American community. It is smaller than competing books, yet manages to cover all essential events and periods in Armenian history. The style is less theoretical and less analytical than the competition, suitable for undergraduate students and travellers. There is a great deal of interest in Armenian history since the renewed independence of Armenia in the 90s, a strong desire to research and recognize the Armenian Genocide, and the desire of a generation of Armenian Americans to learn more about their Armenian heritage.áSimon Payaslian is Kaloosdian/Mugar Chair in Armenian Genocide Studies and Modern Armenian History, Clark University. He lives in Worcester, Massachusetts.