Youssef al-Dibs's book, "A Brief History of Syria," presents an intense and exciting journey through the history of the Levant, beginning with its earliest eras when it was inhabited by scattered tribes, extending to the time of Alexander the Great and the Roman Empire, then to the eras of the Islamic caliphates and successive states: the Umayyad, Abbasid, Fatimid, Ayyubid, Mamluk, and Ottoman. Written at the beginning of the twentieth century, this work is an abridged version of his famous encyclopedia, "The Secular and Religious History of Syria." It consists of six chapters rich with facts and analysis, aimed at both the general reader and young people, who can find within its pages a key to understanding the history of this vital region, which has always been a meeting place of civilizations and a maker of history. This book combines encyclopedic depth with ease, providing a vivid summary of the history of Syria and the Levant.

يوسف الدبس (1833–1907م) مطران ومؤرخ لبناني. كتب «تاريخ سوريا» في ستة مجلدات. اهتم بالتعليم المسيحي والثقافة. وكان من كبار رجال الفكر في جبل لبنان.