PDF The Shia Revival: How Conflicts within Islam Will Shape the Future by Vali Nasr in History

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Book ReviewBy DMAThe Shia Revival: How Conflicts within Islam will Shape the Future by Vali Nasr argues “The reality that will shape the future of the Middle East is not the debates over democracy or globalization that the Iraq war was supposed to have jumpstarted but the conflicts between Shias and Sunnis. ” Not only does Nasr supply ample evidence to make this book accessible to both academic and less formal audiences; he supports his assertions with a mix of primary and secondary sources. Sprinkled with dialogue from Iraqi war generals and ample use of secondary sources centered around historical Shia and Sunni events; Nasr’s work is both compelling and riveting; offering an unparalleled look into the deeply layered world; and the ancient conflict between the Shia and Sunnis in the Middle East. This is both an enlightening an emotional treasure to explore.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. How the Shia revival will shape our futureBy CustomerIn Vali Nasr’s book The Shia Revival: How Conflicts within Islam Will Shape the Future; he addresses an issue that is gaining increased importance in the modern analysis of global Islam: Sunni and Shia relations and which he also states is going to shape our future. Vali Nasr; a Middle East scholar writer; foreign policy adviser and commentator in international relations describes how Shia and Sunni differs from each other and how U.S military actions towards the war against Saddam and Iraq; and the willingness to expand democracy to the world the east countries; might lead to a Shia resistance. This is a world portrayal that offers an understanding of the ancient conflicts and the struggle that Middle East is facing within the world of the Muslim religion. Nasr points out US involvement in this situation and how US as a country have to gain more knowledge and respect towards this world dilemma and conflict that effects more people that a person without the knowledge in the subject wouldn’t have known about. Nasr goes from talking about history to our present situation and how we need to act in the future; “What is clear is that the future for the Middle East will not be brighter than the past so long as the shadow of sectarian conflict hangs over it. This is the conflict that will shape the future” (Vali Nasr). This is a book that should be read by anyone who does not have the knowledge about the Shia difference. Nasr writes in a way that make it easy to understand and he approaches the subject in a way that makes it very interesting and makes one think about our current situation.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. and respected periodicals like Newsweek and SmithsonianBy Matthew J BarrettIn The Shia Revival; Vali Nasr argues that the United States of America must rethink foreign policies regarding the Middle East; as the Muslim world is a changing climate. To support this argument; Vali Nasr has meticulously researched the majority of The Shia Revival; using sources such as well-respected newspapers (The Washington Post; The New York Times; and the Los Angeles Times; for example); PhD dissertations from respected institutions; books published by those same institutions’ presses; Human Rights Watch Reports; and respected periodicals like Newsweek and Smithsonian. While Nasr uses a myriad of exceptional sources in support of each chapter’s central theme; The Shia Revival does rely quite a bit on the author’s own unvalidated firsthand reports. Another issue facing The Shia Revival is that it would best be prefaced by a rudimentary understanding of Islamic leaders and customs. While I did enjoy the book; I had a very difficult time following the overwhelming cast of characters of the Islamic world. In general; the book would be a great read for those highly interested in; if a bit uninformed of; the issues facing the current climate of the Muslim world.