The Ismailis are a geographically; linguistically and ethnically diverse Shi'a Muslim community - the second largest in the world. Scattered in more than twenty countries of Asia; Africa; Europe and North America; they are currently led by their 49th Imam; His Highness the Aga Khan. In four chapters this book traces their history; within the wider context of Islamic history and the world in general; over the better part of fourteen hundred years. Each chapter is fully illustrated and accompanied by relevant maps and diagrams such as genealogical charts. The book has more than 300 illustrations; most in colour; consisting of images from illustrated manuscripts; artefacts; architecture; community documents; as well as important historical and contemporary photographs of members of the Ismaili community (many from private collections and archives) and the varied geographical contexts in which they live. A chronology of key events; a glossary of important terms; and a bibliography are also provided. Farhad Daftary is head of the Department of Academic Research and Publications and Associate Director at The Institute of Ismaili Studies; London. An authority in Ismaili studies; his publications include A Short History of the Ismailis(1998); The Assassin Legends: Myths of the Ismailis (1994); and Ismaili Literature (2004). Dr Daftary's books have been translated into Arabic; Persian; Turkish; Urdu and numerous European languages. Zulfikar Hirji is Assistant Professor of Anthropology at York University; Toronto. He is the editor of Muslim Plurality and Pluralism (2008); the author of Moving Subjects; Shifting Paradigms: Multi-sited Ethnography and Indian Ocean Communities (forthcoming); and has articles in journals including 'Anthropology of the Middle East'; 'Sociologus'; and books including Textiles in Indian Ocean Societies (2005); Modern Ismaili Communities (2008).
#2046931 in Books Star Bright Books 2008-02-28Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 11.17 x .75 x 10.26l; 2.74 #File Name: 1887734880200 pages
Review
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful. A compelling; disturbing; and heartbreakingly great readBy Kathleen A. BaxterHidden Letters is impossible to put down. Philip "Flip" Slier was interned in a Nazi labor camp in the Netherlands; but wrote loving; optimistic letters home--and took many photographs. Then he; and virtually all of his extended family; disappeared into the Holocaust.When the letters were discovered in Amsterdam in 1997; a search was made for Flip's closest relative; who turned out to be his first cousin Deborah; whose father had moved his family to South Africa and thus enabled them all to live through the war.Deborah and her husband; Ian Shine; spent ten years having the letters translated and researching the places and the people they described. They interviewed many survivors of the Holocaust and the war; and include information about almost all--including their photographs and ultimate fates. Over 300 photographs are included.Flip could write and you fall in love with him as you read. When the letters stop; it is devastating.This is a compelling; disturbing; and heartbreaking great read.Kathleen Baxter; columnist; School Library Journal0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Love my scrubShould be required reading in America. What these people went through.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. I would give this book 5 heart wrenching stars for reminding us… to never forget.By Young Mensan BookParadeIt was a routine day in 1997 for a Dutch demolition expert in west Amsterdam when he discovered a packet of 86 letters hidden in the ceiling from someone named Phillip Slier. Upon realizing that the letters were from WWII; he sent them to the Netherlands Institute for War Documentation. Deborah Slier and Ian Shine used these letters to paste together the story of “Flip†Slier; a Dutch Jew from Amsterdam. The letters chronicle Flip’s day-to-day life in the labor camps during Germany’s occupation of Holland. Every letter in this book is translated directly from Phillip (Flip) Slier’s own letters down to the spelling errors. This book is unique because it allows us to read first-hand accounts of the horrific life in the labor camps. I was surprised that in the beginning people were paid wages and allowed to communicate with their families. They had their own bed; blankets; restroom; and even a few luxury items that could be purchased. Unlike Anne Frank’s experience as a Jewish girl in hiding; Flip allows the reader to experience the progressive decline of human conditions in the labor camps. However; as time progresses through the letters; you can see the situation become increasingly dire as more people arrive; conditions worsen and wages are lowered. The letters really allow you to understand Flip’s personality and it almost feels as if these letters are directed towards you. In addition to Flip’s letters; there are many stories from eyewitness accounts of the killings; stories of other families both Jewish and non-Jewish; and stories of Germans who sympathized with the Jews and helped them escape from camps and torture. Have you ever want a complete documentation of the restrictions put on Jews during WWII? Hidden Letters goes over these conditions; wearing stars to identify themselves as a Jew; being forced to get rid of their possessions; and being banned from streets and markets. The reader is exposed to topics that are not common knowledge. For example; do you know about Sobibor? What about the Russian POW’s in labor camps? Do you know the difference between concentration camps and labor camps? All of this is explained in Hidden Letters. This book has a large collection of pictures; documents; newspapers; as well as an array of facts to explain and support the letters. After reading this book my perspective of the Holocaust has changed a lot. I felt a roller coaster of emotions. Each page; story; letter and side note information gave me a unique experience. It is important to note that this book contains graphic explanations and images. I think every young adult needs to read it to understand some of the events not often talked about today. I would give this book 5 heart wrenching stars for reminding us… to never forget.Zander H.; age 14; Gulf Coast-America Mensa
