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An essential work for the Syrian specialist, but very much not recommended as a way to brush up or begin your learning about Syrian history.
Batatu is an academic tease, releasing outstanding books with a devastating paucity nearing that of Nick Drake's studio discography. This one focuses on multitudinous levels of the peasants of Syria, their local political leadership and all kinds of stuff in between. Personally, I find the detail a little overwhelming at times, but there are some super-rich sections on the role of religion in lower-level Syrian politics, a crucial foundation for what has been going on there recently, and the local Ba'athist influences and the reasons for their focus on rural reform and improvement.
Definitely don't start with this one, but if you're into Syrian stuff and want to delve very, very deep into rural society, this is the one for you.