The Copts of Egypt are the largest Christian minority in the Middle East. In recent years they have often figured in the news as victims of bloody attacks by Islamic militants.Christians versus Muslims in Modern Egypt is the first study of Christian identity politics in contemporary Egypt. S.S. Hasan begins by looking at how the Coptic generation of the 1940s and 1950s remembered; recovered; and imagined the ancient history of Christianity in Egypt in order to weld the Copts into a unified nation; resistant to the growing encroachments of Islam. She argues that this interpretation of history; in which Egyptian martyrs figure prominently; made possible the rebirth of the Coptic church and community-in much the same way as the preservation of Hebrew and the historical memory of Jewish tribulations served the purpose of national reconstruction of the state of Israel.The bulk of the book focuses on the period beginning with the consecration of Pope Shenuda in 1971. Drawing on extensive interviews with church leaders; clergy; and others Hasan finds that during this period the responsibilities of the church for the welfare of the Coptic community grew immeasurably. Church leaders arrogated to themselves the exclusive right to the political representation of their community and reconceived their role from the narrow care of souls to the promotion of economic and cultural efflorescence of the entire Coptic community. The leaders of this revival; she shows; have nurtured a potent and distinctive religious culture with a sense of communal pride and identity in an environment in which they were increasingly exposed to discrimination and outright hostility.
#273082 in Books Wyn Craig Wade 1998-11-19Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 6.10 x 1.30 x 9.10l; 1.65 #File Name: 0195123573528 pagesThe Fiery Cross The Ku Klux Klan in America
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Like several books in one.By The Seeker"The Fiery Cross: The Ku Klux Klan in America" is a 1987 United States History/Social Science book by the late historian and clinical psychologist; Wyn Craig Wade; who also wrote "The Titanic: End of A Dream".I decided to read "The Fiery Cross" because I have been intrigued by the KKK my whole life. I regrettably lived in a city full of intolerance. A large Klaven was located just a few towns away. I always find them to be equally mysterious and villainess; and have been compelled to study them my whole life.Doctor Wade examines the origins of the creation of the Invisible Empire and how it started off being a group of young men pulling pranks; to evolving into terrorists harassing; beating and murdering black people. From there; the Hooded Knights went to being loved in the popular press after the release of the motion picture; "The Birth of a Nation". This lead to European-Americans cheering the Klan on in the film and even dressing up as Klansmen for Halloween.Finally; the author looks at the Sheeted Order's major decline; which in due time made it into a shadow of it's former self; but as dangerous as ever and still filled with the same kind of narrow-minded human beings.The book shows how leaders of the Hooded Order for generations and from all over the United States were able to manipulate poor; insecure; bored; lazy and uneducated Caucasians to fork over what little cash they had to join this so-called "sacred" organization called the Ku Klux Klan.Just being fair-skinned in the U.S.A. was enough for illiterate Aryans to be told by the law; pop-culture and the mainstream media that they were superior to African-Americans. For hundred's of years (even as far back as slavery days) plenty of impoverished and bitter white people all over the U.S.A. have taken full advantage of the racial privilege they were handed at their birth; and have happily taken out their anger for life and their own shortcomings on innocent black people.The book includes plenty of actual literature that was written by Klan members such as membership forms.My favorite subject to read concerning the Ku Klux Klan are the fearless people who went after them and how they took them down such as groups of Union soldiers; Ulysses S. Grant and Benjamin Butler in the 1860's and 1870's; Julian Harris of Georgia and the Texas Rangers in the 1920's and then in the 1960's; the F.B.I.; President Lyndon B. Johnson and Civil Rights workers. They are all my heroes for being so brave against a gang of bullies. The KKK have intimidated a lot of people; but the men and groups I listed were clearly not going to be frightened in the least."The Fiery Cross" is like several books in one. It covers each Klan of different eras in great detail. It is an easy read and stays highly entertaining through-out the entire book. It is wonderful. I have read it twice since buying it in the summer of 2014. I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in racism; history and social science.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Very interesting and informative read!!By MistyGood info. First time I read this book noticed a part about the town I spent my middle and senior high years living in. It was such that when a granddaughter talked to my sister (who had read the book) about a History paper and was told about this certain incident from the book; she later said the teacher had never heard the story and therefore; was not true. Well---anyway; this is quite an interesting read. Arrived in time. Thanks.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Got more then expected.By CustomerGreat book. Perfect condition.
