Machine summary:
He identifies these two approaches as, on the one hand, specialized studies written by social scientists emphasizing theoretical concepts relating to development and underdevelopment and suitable to advanced students and, on the other hand, general textbooks on the history of the entire Middle East since before the rise of Islam.
He uses some primary materials, like writings of Michael Aflaq, but in the main this book is a synthesis of books and articles by such people as Tabitha Petran, Patrick Seale, Gordon Torrey, Raymond Hinnebusch, Malcolm Kerr, and Nikolaos Van Dam. The author was quite conscientious about giving credit to all of these secondary works, as indicated by his 22 pages of footnotes for 188 pages of text; this, together with an excellent lengthy bibliography, provides a valuable guide for students and others who want to pursue particular matters in depth.
However, Professor Olson deserves high marks for producing a generally solid survey and one that is especially useful for students.