Until the attacks of September 11; 2001; few Americans knew anything about Islam; let alone about the distinctions between Sunni and Shi‘a; the Sufi and Wahhabi; the origins of the Holy Qur’an and Shari‘a law; and the respect that all Muslims; even secular ones; harbor for the prophet Muhammad; his family; and Islamic traditions. In The Sunni-Shi‘a Divide Robert Betts traces the tortuous history of Islam’s sectarian divisions; emphasizing the most important one; the Shi‘a departure from Sunni “orthodoxy.†Although the majority of Muslims remain faithful to the Sunni sect of Islam; approximately 15 percent subscribe to the Shi‘a creed. As America’s involvement in the Middle East drags on; Betts reiterates that policymakers; scholars; and laymen alike must understand the many faces of Islam; the internal forces in the United States that have brought us into these military conflicts; and the role of Israel in the region’s escalating tensions. How the increasing hostility between the two main Islamic factions plays out on the world stage—as Sunni Turkey; Shi‘a Iran; and their allies vie for dominance—is of major consequence for everyone; especially financially strapped Europe and the United States.
#796533 in Books Savas Beatie 2016-05-03 2016-05-17Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.90 x .60 x 6.00l; .0 #File Name: 1611213150192 pagesSavas Beatie
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. The bloody Wilderness fight. . . .By Steven PetersonAnother fine entry in the Savas Beatie series. Here; the focus is the brutal Battle of the Wilderness. This was a bloody battle; with both Confederate and Union forces losing many men. More casualties were on the Union side; but the arithmetic was such that more northern troops could die and be wondered and captured and still damage the fortunes of the Army of Northern Virginia. The latter; simply; had fewer troops to spare.The Wilderness marked the first of many battles featuring Ulysses Grant squaring off against Robert E. Lee (with General George Meade caught in an uncomfortable position as commanding general of the Army of the Potomac; with Grant right up there on the battlefield--often giving key orders). Union forces wanted to move forward quickly; to clear the Wilderness--a large piece of land featuring second growth trees; making it a difficult place for a battle. The conflict itself was confusing and deadly. Fires began in the foliage; killing many wounded troops who could not escape.The book focuses on two issues; as per the structure of the series: (a) a relatively brief discussion of the battle; (b) how to go to the battlefield and see major parts of the landscape to envision better the battle itself. Both are done well.Thne battle was a mess. Both sides would make successful thrusts and then suffer setbacks. One critical moment was when James Longstreet's First Corps was able to outflank Winfield Scott Hancock's Second Corps and give it a drubbing. As Longstreet tried to maximize the struggle; he was shot by hos own troops by mistake--almost one year after Stonewall Jackson died after being shot by his troops.Finally; the armies separated. Grant moved south; unlike other Union commanders who had run into Robert E. Lee. And the War in the East continued. . . .0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. "The Beginning of the End"By R. KillianThe book is accurate in all matters. It is brief in some aspects of the battle;but all in all; the book is well worth the time one will spend reading it; and seeing some new aspects of the battle. I felt that more space should have been spent on the deaths of brigade commanders and probably how this decided the outcome of the battle.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Wow...as Usual with Chris Mackowski.By Michae OChris Mackowski is one of my favorite Civil War Authors. I own every book he has written on the Civil War. He tells a clear; simple; and concise story about each battle. His tour guide is also invaluable. "He'll Itself: The Battle of The Wilderness is an example of what I am talking about.
