Transliteration systems are used to convert words from one writing system to another. Words written in non-Roman writing systems (e.g., Arabic, Russian, Hindi), may be transliterated into Roman letters in various ways. This can create problems when searching in a library catalog or database. Try variations to get good results. For example, the name of Libya's former leader may be written:

Qaddafi, Muammar      JMU Library Catalog
Qadhafi, Muammar      Historical Abstracts
Gadhafi, Moammar      CNN
Gaddafi, Muammar      Al Jazeera
Kaddafi, Moammar      ABC News

This LibGuide will help you find the best scholarly resources for research on the history of Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.  

Use the tabs above to find different types of resources for your research.

For many assignments, it's a good idea to begin with broad information on a topic, and move to more narrowly focused books and articles as you develop your topic. Following the tabs above from left to right will aid you in following this progression.

1. Use Background Information to help place a topic in context, to define or narrow it, or to clarify a point of confusion. In addition, articles in these books often give list of books and articles for further reading in a section entitled Suggested Reading, Further Reading, Sources, or simply Bibliography.
2. Use Find Books to find more detailed information. 
   
3. Use Find Articles when you have decided on a manageable topic.
4. You will then want to find and analyze Primary Sources, the historical evidence that supports your thesis.  

Images on this LibGuide are from Britannica Image Quest, and are rights-cleared for educational use.

History