Despite its reputation for religious intolerance; the Middle East has long sheltered many distinctive and strange faiths: one regards the Greek prophets as incarnations of God; another reveres Lucifer in the form of a peacock; and yet another believes that their followers are reincarnated beings who have existed in various forms for thousands of years. These religions represent the last vestiges of the magnificent civilizations in ancient history: Persia; Babylon; Egypt in the time of the Pharaohs. Their followers have learned how to survive foreign attacks and the perils of assimilation. But today; with the Middle East in turmoil; they face greater challenges than ever before. In Heirs to Forgotten Kingdoms; former diplomat Gerard Russell ventures to the distant; nearly impassable regions where these mysterious religions still cling to survival. He lives alongside the Mandaeans and Ezidis of Iraq; the Zoroastrians of Iran; the Copts of Egypt; and others. He learns their histories; participates in their rituals; and comes to understand the threats to their communities. Historically a tolerant faith; Islam has; since the early 20th century; witnessed the rise of militant; extremist sects. This development; along with the rippling effects of Western invasion; now pose existential threats to these minority faiths. And as more and more of their youth flee to the West in search of greater freedoms and job prospects; these religions face the dire possibility of extinction. Drawing on his extensive travels and archival research; Russell provides an essential record of the past; present; and perilous future of these remarkable religions.
#438256 in Books 2009-03-03 2009-03-03Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.25 x 1.25 x 5.50l; 1.04 #File Name: 0465014453480 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. they do rather boring things: planting disinformationBy MichaelOleg was a master KGB officer. You follow his life; and get some background on the thought processes and methods of his Tradecraft. Besides recruiting agents; they do rather boring things: planting disinformation; etc. Became a NKVD/KGB general. became disillusioned and defected.Read this; then pick up a copy of a Book called Spymaster; startling cold war revelations.......That turns out to be Oleg's KGB supervisor; who also defected after the fall of the USSR1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Unparalled bookBy F. Carol SabinOne of the most credible accounts about Cold war spy wars from the Russian side.A senior KGB officer; Kalugin's position as chief of external counterintelligence (1973-79); as well as deputy chief of external counterintelligence or his postings in US gave him a unique knowledge about the most important KGB operations in the world.His revelations told us about the high numbers of spies recruited in different countries. Interesting accounts; but vague; about early moles in FBI; ASIO; RCMP (extremely useful for KGB) and French intelligence (harsh critique).A lot of detailed spy cases are presented(Walker; Cook; Vetrov; Levchenko);also; useful information about 1968 Prague Spring; political life in India etc.His clash with the Soviet system is not the most enjoyable part of the book; but the stories about Philby et Co are good. Interesting portraits of Soviet hierarchy leaders (Andropov; Brejnev and many others)No doubt; his confessions added new information about spy wars during `60-'70.Kalugin's book and Cherkasin's "Spy handler" are the best Russian books about Cold War espionage.A really good contribution to the Cold war history; highly recommended.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Personal; but full of interesting infoBy JmontI've read a few Spy/Intelligence books as of late and feel that this is the best of the lot. I always felt I was listening to the author speak; rather than simply reading the text. It was clean; simple language that leads you through a remarkable story.It gives outstanding insight into his point of view throughout his life and career; with just enough background to understand (better) the significance of events and turns of Fate. Not once did I feel that this was just another pompous parade. a listing of achievements in excessive detail; or a Super Hero where the outcome of the world would have been different if someone/thing hadn't gotten in the way.This is a personal; humble book that gives good information from a very personable point of view.
