Straddling the boundaries of politics and history; this discerning book allows the reader to dig through the rubble of Lebanon's wars and learn exactly what has befallen it. With its remarkable open society; its plural political system; its well-educated and sophisticated peoples; and its tolerant confessional outlook; Lebanon is only now recovering the independence it once had; albeit in the face of Syria. In view of recent Lebanese history; can an open and democratic state be recaptured by a people entangled in a largely authoritarian Arab state system? Farid el Khazen's arresting book shows how Lebanon was led toward its fate by its neighbors; yet ultimately undid itself. The Palestine Liberation Organization's presence was of central importance to the breakdown of the state; while the porousness of the democratic system could not contain the problems and violence. The breakdown was less a civil war in the conventional sense than a series of little wars with outside interference.
#104429 in Books 2011-11-30 2011-10-17Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.25 x .89 x 6.13l; .98 #File Name: 0674062116392 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy elijah mohammedA very scholarly work; quite insightful!1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. An Excellent ReadBy John HamptonA truly eye opening experience. The book delves into America's history of using crime statistics to show proof of black (and these days brown) inferiority without actually looking at the underlying causes of higher crime rates such as racist police practices; heavier sentences for minorities; and of course these days we have the good old drug war which is fought primarily in black and Brown neighbors. I am shocked that not much has changed since the early 1900'son this topic. To this day stats are used to justify racist attitudes towards black people.1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. This book is only the beginning of understanding why racial discord is so pervasive in our modern eraBy Chris BrownThis book used an impressive amount of research while still managing to use those scattered facts to create a coherent chronology. That effort resulted in a book which breaks down the process by which mass media; in collusion with the so called thinkers of the day; created and maintained the development of a system of white superiority and victim blaming that still exists (albeit in a more subtle form) even today.
