In Chasing a Mirage; Tarek Fatah Writes: Islamists argue that the period following the passing away of Muhammad was Islam's golden era and that we Muslims need to re-create that caliphate to emulate that political system in today's world. I wish to demonstrate that when Muslims buried the Prophet; they also buried with him many of the universal values of Islam that he had preached. The history of Islam can be described essentially as the history of an unending power struggle; where men have killed each other to claim the mantle of Muhammad. This strife is a painful story that started within hours of the Prophet closing his eyes forever; and needs to be told. I firmly believe the message of the Quran is strong enough to withstand the facts of history. It is my conviction that Muslims are mature and secure in their identities to face the truth. This is that story. Advance Praise for Chasing a Mirage "Tarek Fatah has written a provocative and challenging book which is a must read for anyone who cares about these issues." —Janice Gross Stein "Chasing a Mirage is an extremely valuable contributing to the fight by progressive Muslims against Islamist fascism. This book should be required reading for the Left in the West who have mistakenly started believing that Islamists represent some sort of anti-imperialism." —Farooq Tariq "Fatah argues passionatley for universalism instead of exclusivism; integration instead of ghettoism; and makes a powerful appeal for the silent majority of Muslims to speak out before it is too late. This work of courage and daring needs to be read widely." — Pervez Hoodbhoy "This fascinating work by brave and bri8lliant tarek Fatah is simultaneously thought-provoking; instructive and enlightening for laymen and scholars; Muslims and non-Muslim...an invaluable and rare addition to the corpus of Islamic literature in the post-9/11 world; a bold step towards Islamic Reformation and Enlightenment." —Taj Hashmi "Tarek Fatah's is a voice that needs to be heard. Canada needs a healthy; reasoned debate about the issues he is raising; and indeed so does the world." —Bob Rae "This fascinating work by brae and brilliant Tarek Fatah is simultaneously thought-provoking; instructive and enlightening for laymen and scholars; Muslim and non-Muslim... an invaluable and rare addition to the corpus of Islamic literature in the post-9/11 world; a bold step towards Islamic Reformation and Enlightenment." —Taj Hashmi "Tarek Fatah's is a voice that needs to be heard. Canada needs a healthy; reasoned debate about the issues he is raising; and indeed so does the world." —Bob Rae; Member of Parliament; Canada
#415788 in Books Michael Neiberg 2015-05-05 2015-05-05Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.50 x 1.13 x 6.38l; .0 #File Name: 0465075258336 pagesPotsdam The End of World War II and the Remaking of Europe
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Important and enjoyableBy JoshThis is a fantastic book. If you are at all interested in World War I; World War II; or the Cold War; you'll love this book and gain a new appreciation for the linkages between the three.First and foremost; this is a readable history of the Potsdam Conference; during which the leaders of Great Britain; the United States; and the Soviet Union discussed how to end World War II and lay the groundwork for a post-war peace.Perhaps more importantly; this book explores -- and ultimately helps answer -- a number of important questions; including:* Did the death of FDR change the trajectory of the war -- and the peace that followed?* Similarly; did the electoral defeat of Winston Churchill in the midst of the Potsdam Conference have a significant impact on the outcome of the Potsdam talks?* How did the testing of the atomic bomb influence the Potsdam talks; and how did the Potsdam talks influence Truman's decision to use the bomb?* To what extent were the Big Three aware that they were laying the groundwork for a new global conflict?Two minor criticisms:1) Early on; Neiberg introduces a number of key players without providing the context that non-historians would need to understand their significance. On the other hand; I'm glad he didn't drown us with detail about every single person who attended the conference -- that would have been a far worse sin.2) Neiberg alludes to the possibility that Stalin had his reasons for giving the Allied leaders unfettered access to a ravaged Berlin just prior to the conference. But what were those reasons?This book clearly has important lessons for military and political leaders and draws on an impressive array of research. But don't let the hundred pages of endnotes fool you. This is a quick and thoroughly enjoyable read that is accessible to anyone with an interest in 20th Century history.Neiberg appears to have the gift of David McCullough and Doris Kearns Goodwin -- he brings history alive by helping us see events; as they unfolded; through the eyes of the participants; when the long-term impacts of decisions being made quickly and under immense pressure were both unknown and unknowable. Well done.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Repetitive and VagueBy Jacob D WestlinWhile reading this book; I kept asking myself: "When are the details of the actual conference going to begin?" They never did.Firstly; the entire narrative; beginning to end; is paralleled with the 1919 Treaty of Versailles. Every third sentence was; "With the ghosts of Versailles in their minds..." or "1919 loomed large in their decision making." Eventually I found myself screaming "I get it already! Move on!"As regards the details of the conference itself; the first half explores the conditions in place before it even began. Fair enough; given the monumental historical events preceding it during the war and the gravity of their undertaking; however; even when the conference "began" in the narrative; there was barely a thought given to an intimate look at the fascinating leaders' interactions. Each chapter discussed an issue of interest to the participants and addressed the Russian; British; and American thinking on the topic -- as though this were a textbook. Much more interesting would have been a chronological timeline of the conference itself; with the dialogue and power dynamics that went along with it. None of this is found in the book; which instead chooses to address issues from a disconnected and vague nationalistic perspective (as opposed to personal interaction).While there were a few new and interesting facts peppered in the narrative; I found it boring and repetitive on the whole.7 of 8 people found the following review helpful. End GameBy Christian SchlectA well-written; concise general history of the final big-three leaders conference of World War II. Its primary focus is the close relationship between the geopolitical issues discussed at Potsdam with those discussed and decided some thirty years prior at the Paris Peace Conference.The fact that two of the three allied victors had changes at the top; while adding to the drama; probably did little to effect the basic results of the conference at Potsdam. The USSR held most of the trump cards; due to its very presence in Europe with both troops and a well-earned thirst for vengeance.I do think this book would have been improved had maps been provided. Issues like the contested boundary lines for Poland would have been made clearer to the non-expert.Also; I would encourage every visitor to Berlin to take the day trip out to Potsdam to visit the site of the conference; the Cecilienhof Palace. It is something to stand in the same room where Stalin; Churchill; and Truman once sat to sort out the ending of the war that arose out of the war to end all wars.
