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The Shia Revival

by Vali Nasr · 2006

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"Historically incisive, geographically broad-reaching, and brimming with illuminating anecdotes." —Max Rodenbeck, New York Review of Books

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One of America's leading commentators on current events in the Middle East, Iranian-born scholar Vali Nasr brilliantly dissects the political and theological antagonisms within Islam in this "smart, clear and timely" book (Washington Post). Still essential and still timely ten years after its original publication, The Shia Revivalprovides a unique and objective understanding of the 1,400-year bitter struggle between Shias and Sunnis and sheds crucial light on its modern-day consequences. A new epilogue elucidates the rise of ISIS and ongoing tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Subject
historyhistoryMore like thisLess of thispoliticspoliticsMore like thisLess of thisphilosophyphilosophyMore like thisLess of thisreligionreligionMore like thisLess of thissociologysociologyMore like thisLess of this
Genre
historical fictionhistorical fictionMore like thisLess of this
Themes
religionreligionMore like thisLess of thisislamislamMore like thisLess of thispoliticspoliticsMore like thisLess of thishistoryhistoryMore like thisLess of thisjournalistsjournalistsMore like thisLess of this
Setting
20th century20th centuryMore like thisLess of thisMiddle EastMiddle EastMore like thisLess of thisIranIranMore like thisLess of thisAfghanistanAfghanistanMore like thisLess of this
Audience
adult

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“If you want more of the same (history about religion), start with these.”

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“If it was the Middle East that hooked you, try one of these.”

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“These start from a similar idea, even if they go somewhere else with it.”

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