While in the West 'the Caliphate" evokes overwhelmingly negative images; throughout Islamic history it has been regarded as the ideal Islamic polity. In the wake of the "Arab Spring" and the removal of long-standing dictators in the Middle East; in which the dominant discourse appears to be one of the compatibility of Islam and democracy; reviving the Caliphate has continued to exercise the minds of its opponents and advocates. Reza Pankhurst's book contributes to our understanding of Islam in politics; the path of Islamic revival across the last century and how the popularity of the Caliphate in Muslim discourse waned and later re-emerged. Beginning with the abolition of the Caliphate; the ideas and discourse of the Muslim Brotherhood; Hizb ut-Tahrir; al-Qaeda and other smaller groups are then examined. A comparative analysis highlights the core commonalities as well as differences between the various movements and individuals; and suggests that as movements struggle to re-establish a polity which expresses the unity of the ummah (or global Islamic community); the Caliphate has alternatively been ignored; had its significance minimised or denied; reclaimed and promoted as a theory and symbol in different ways; yet still serves as a political ideal for many.
#34294 in Books Michael Howard 2007-05-20Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 4.40 x .60 x 6.80l; .37 #File Name: 0199205590134 pagesFirst World War A Very Short Introduction
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. A blow-by-blow account of WWIBy HHThis VSI provides a concise and insightful history of the Great War. Howard takes a chronological approach to its history -- beginning with an overview of conditions in Europe just before the outbreak of war in 1914; to the role of the U.S.; to the collapse of Russia; and ending with the peace settlement in 1919 following the Central Powers' surrender. While some attention is given to how and why the war was fought; as well as the historical controversies that still surround the war (including the legacy of resentment left to Germany); Howard primarily emphasizes military operations. Consequently; this VSI reads like a military history of the Great War; and is short on human interest stories. In the end; "The First World War: A Very Short Introduction" is little more than a very thorough timeline.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Excellent (very) short history of WW IBy Hal JordanMichael Howard does an excellent job of summarizing World War I in slightly more than 100 pages. Clearly it's possible to quibble with some of what he included and some of what he omitted and with some of his judgements -- which he lacks the space to adequately defend. My only serious objection is that he doesn't include maps illustrating the campaigns he describes. There are a series of maps at the front of the books; but they only show the areas of Europe involved; with key cities indicated; without illustrating the actual campaigns. The companion volume by Gerhard Weinberg on World War II does include such maps.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Short introduction; good first impressionBy Kali JoThe First World War: A Very Short Introduction by Michael Howard is just that—a short introduction to WWI that seeks primarily to inform readers of the economic; societal; political and militant activities during the turbulent four-year span of 1914-1918. Within this shortened text; Howard has compiled and morphed the timelines of these varying events according to country; and by doing so; has attempted to recreate the simultaneous unfolding of warfare. This book includes battle descriptions and locations as well as briefly references military tactics; political agendas; governmental decisions; civilian life; propaganda techniques; financial struggles; resource depletion and offers a variety of speculations regarding each. In addition; Howard; although not entirely objective in his portrayal; makes an apparent; yet subtle effort to identify reoccurring themes such as hope; discouragement; fear; and motivation. As a result; Howard often poses as a Daniel Boone figure that readers can use as a guide for understanding both the concrete and more abstract components of WWI.With an instructor-to-student type of writing persona; Howard manages to pack large amounts of content into relatively few pages. Since his intended readership is most likely high school and undergraduate level researchers; his historical overview is quite concise; which is typically a coveted strength in introductory books. However; he does deviate occasionally with a few wordy; reoccurring sayings and unnecessary descriptive phrases; which has a tendency to slog down certain passages. Additionally; just as all writing styles have their limitations; the bare-bones quality of this book a similar tendency to sometimes appear as “data dump†of information (which can also add to this text’s data-swampland quality). As a result; examples are stacked on top of examples; furthermore giving Howard’s history a sometimes-stilted presentation.This book is formatted in a timeline fashion; however; in order to supply his readers with additional context; Howard often inserts a “sub-timelines†so to speak; within his already chronological organization. These expanded contexts help readers understand the war both in its militant setting; but also within its civilian one. However; all context and information must be taken with a grain of salt. Howard’s portrayal of the war comes from a British historian perspective; and his book reflects this in both word choice and content.When all is taken to account; however; this book does a decent job of fulfilling its purpose. It focuses on both the events and the contexts surrounding them as well as keeps in mind the swirling dichotomies of other warfare factors. It’s concise. It’s informative; and although sometimes it does an odd teeter-totter dance between being formal and dense or being informal and speculative; it’s a readable book that a student would find helpful if they just want to know the crunch time basics of WWI.
