For a Western world anxious to understand Islam and; in particular; Shi’ism; this book arrives with urgently needed information and critical analysis. Hamid Dabashi exposes the soul of Shi’ism as a religion of protest―successful only when in a warring position; and losing its legitimacy when in power.Dabashi makes his case through a detailed discussion of the Shi’i doctrinal foundations; a panoramic view of its historical unfolding; a varied investigation into its visual and performing arts; and finally a focus on the three major sites of its contemporary contestations: Iran; Iraq; and Lebanon. In these states; Shi’ism seems to have ceased to be a sect within the larger context of Islam and has instead emerged to claim global political attention. Here we see Shi’ism in its combative mode―reminiscent of its traumatic birth in early Islamic history. Hezbollah in Lebanon claims Shi’ism; as do the militant insurgents in Iraq; the ruling Ayatollahs in Iran; and the masses of youthful demonstrators rebelling against their reign. All declare their active loyalties to a religion of protest that has defined them and their ancestry for almost fourteen hundred years.Shi’sm: A Religion of Protest attends to the explosive conflicts in the Middle East with an abiding attention to historical facts; cultural forces; religious convictions; literary and artistic nuances; and metaphysical details. This timely book offers readers a bravely intelligent history of a world religion.
#1218557 in Books 2011-04-04 2011-05-04Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 10.18 x 1.09 x 7.41l; 1.86 #File Name: 0674052544304 pages
Review
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful. Diaspora TimeBy Mr. Jack LawsonWe take for granted time as a natural and cultural regulator of the life of society and of each individual but the calendar is in large measure man-made. In the past; high cultures had their own. This is a wonderful book; erudite and yet entertaining in every way. The design and manufacture are a credit to Harvard University Press. Text and illustrations are glorious. Palaces of Time grips the reader as tightly as any thriller; a remarkable achievement for such a thoughtful book. It makes a delightful gift but don't start reading; be warned: you won't put it down. The only heaviness is the sadness of the cyclical persecutions by Christians and the reaction of Jewish communities to oppression and discrimination. In itself a regrettable episode of history which explains the tensions in today's world. Although outside the scope of the book; I would have liked to read an early chapter describing the ancient Jewish perception of sacred time which explains the solar-lunar calendar; the Sabbath; the festivals; the day divided by sunrise and sunset and thus the unequal length of hours in summer and winter. The Essenes were; I think; the last to hold to this based on the Book of Jubilees.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. ImpressiveBy Jeffrey L. CzeislerGreat book; impressive scholarship. Well-written and covers the topics thoroughly and clearly. There are few books on this subject of this quality.1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Time oyBy Samantha MorseThe illustrations are the only thing worth perusing this book for. The author takes one idea and then says the same thing over and over and over again.The book promised a lot; but the history expressed in this book would be better off filling a small pamphlet; not repetitiously covering hundreds of pages.
