A compelling look at today’s complex relationship between religion and politicsIn his second book; bestselling author Charles Kimball addresses the urgent global problem of the interplay between fundamentalist Abrahamic religions and politics and moves beyond warning signs (the subject of his first book) to the dangerous and lethal outcomes that their interaction can produce. Drawing on his extensive personal and professional knowledge of; experience with and access to all three traditions; Kimball’s explanation of the multiple ways religion and politics interconnect within Judaism; Christianity; and Islam will illuminate the problems and give readers a hopeful vision for how to chart a safer course into a precarious future.Kimball is the author of When Religion Becomes Evil; one of the most acclaimed post 9/11 books on terrorism and religionReveals why religion so often leads to deadly results The author has scholarly knowledge and expertise and extensive personal experience with the peoples; cultures; and leaders involved Readable and engaging; this book gives a clear picture of today’s complex political and religious reality and offers hope for the future.Author QA with Charles Kimball Author Charles KimballHow did you become interested and involved in Jewish-Christian-Muslim relations? I’ve always been interested in religion; maybe because I’m kind of a mix--my paternal grandfather was Jewish; and while my immediate family was Christian; a large portion of the extended family was Jewish. While I grew up thinking that both Judaism and Christianity were great traditions; I soon learned that not everyone in Tulsa; OK; agreed. As I encountered ignorance about and prejudice toward Jews; I wanted to know why and wanted to know more about what religion was all about. Eventually when I began my doctoral program at Harvard; I decided that I wanted to study the religious; historical; and political interplay between Jews; Christians; and Muslims.Why were you so interested in those three monotheistic religions? My wife and I lived in Egypt (one block from the now famous Tahrir Square) when I was a young scholar; and I was directly involved in the Iranian hostage conflict during the Carter administration; as I describe in the book. Those life-changing experiences ignited my efforts to understand the dynamics of religion and politics in the contemporary Middle East. The combination of some 40 trips to the Middle East and my observations of developments in Israel and the emerging influence of conservative Christians in the U.S. highlighted the often convoluted; confusing; and lethal mixture of religion and politics. It’s been made painfully clear that even small numbers of religious zealots or extremists claiming inspiration from their religion can wreak havoc on a regional or even global scale. In the second decade of the 21st century; the stakes are far too high for us to avoid or underestimate the volatile mix of religion and politics. What’s the most important thing people need to know to better understand the often confusing and clearly explosive mix of religion and politics in the Middle East and U.S. today? We get a lot of our information about the dizzying swirl of recent events from religious leaders; politicians; and pundits—often packaged in superficial sound bites. For most Americans today; this has produced a kind of “detailed ignorance†of Islam; the Middle East and the interplay of religion and politics. We have a lot of details and images but no framework for understanding. It might take some effort to develop such a framework; but it’s far less daunting than you might imagine. If we look at the scriptural bases for each tradition and their historical origins and relationships; we can see that there isn’t actually a fixed template for how they operate and interact. But we can see clearly the dangerous and often deadly results of fundamentalists in all three religions; people who claim that they know precisely what God requires for them and everyone else. It’s always a “work in progress.†Are the dramatic developments in Egypt; Tunisia; Libya; Yemen; and other predominantly Muslim countries in 2011 a source of hope or cause for alarm? Although our “detailed ignorance†tends to make us lump all these countries together; they are all different and distinctive. Tunisia is not Jordan; Egypt is not Syria. At the same time; there are common themes that connect the turbulent upheavals. While there are no easy answers or simple solutions; the book identifies resources and opportunities for people of faith and goodwill to help fashion a more hopeful future. When Religion Becomes Lethal identifies what’s wrong or dangerous in order to point out healthy alternatives. Many of the key issues surfacing today are discussed in the book—from the major sources of anger and frustration in many predominantly Muslim countries and the ways the Israeli-Palestinian conflict exacerbates problems throughout the region to the constructive and misguided ways U.S. policies have shaped and will shape events. In addition; as we demystify catch phrases like the so-called “clash of civilizations†and clarify what actually constitutes “shari’ah law;†we can identify more positive ways to embrace the challenges in the U.S. and in the Middle East that loom before us.
#403941 in Books Linda Przybyszewski 2016-03-29 2016-03-29Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.25 x 1.00 x 5.60l; 1.43 #File Name: 0465066860400 pagesThe Lost Art of Dress The Women Who Once Made America Stylish
Review
132 of 136 people found the following review helpful. FascinatingBy ChrisNot having grown up during the era of the 'Dress Doctors;' as Przybyszewski calls them; I didn't have any preconceived notions of them or negative biases towards how their home economic programs may or may not have been carried out in schools. That being said I found this history of their work fascinating and well worth my time.It's no secret that American women today lack a certain level of; shall we say--classiness--in their clothing choices and this book sheds light on the rise of the women whose work it was (among many other things) to keep our ladies looking classy as well as their eventual downfall. I personally found the chapter entitled 'Aftermath: Tyrannies of Age and Size' to be the most interesting. If you've ever looked around and wondered how we got to a place where grown women routinely run errands in pajamas or saunter around town in actual rompers really meant only to be worn by children under five; then this book has the answers you've been seeking. One of my favorite bits of wisdom given was to "celebrate girlhood and womanhood; and the difference between them." Amen!This is not a how-to book; but the advice of the Dress Doctors is just as applicable today as it was when it was originally given and you will walk away from this book wiser (and hopefully more tastefully dressed) for having read it.8 of 8 people found the following review helpful. Oh How True! We Women Have Forgotten How to Wear Lovely Clothing.By PASpaydI throughly enjoyed reading this book. For many years I've noticed the rag tag t-shirts; faded holes in jeans and the tired white huge athletic name-brand shoes that women are wearing. How very sad. T-shirt wearing is just a grab bag approach to the Uniform of the Masses and do not do a woman justice. I remember the sewing of the 1950s then the sad let-down of the casual wear of the hippies in the 1960s. The author writes a fascinating book; and we truly have a 'lost art of clothing.' Basically I found the book so interesting I could not put it down. That we have traded style for slovenliness is very sad. That we go to foreign counties and wander about so disheveled is appalling. Some designers have bought into the rag-tag look; torn clothing and just look around while on errands and shopping begins to be depressing.6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. A must read for any student of American 20th Century HistoryBy HRH DavidThis is an outstanding book that explores the reality of many US women during the 20th century. I have longed to see women and men dressed better for as long as I have been alive; so I knew that this book would be for me and I loved it. It is so much more than what the title suggests; and the author helped me to understand so many things that I have been curious about for many years. I now know what those mysterious "books" of my great grandmother's were. They were pattern books with page after page of drawings of immaculately dressed women. I thought that they were magazines from Paris; but no; this is how Great Gran knew what to wear or possibly to create. There are so many other things that I learned from this book: the history of the Home Economics Movement; how the principles of Art matter when planning a wardrobe; a history of womens' undergarments and more. Did you know that gloves do have a purpose other than looking great; they protect a woman's hands from sun damage; so no age spots if one dons them; amazing; how did I not know this?The author's style of writing is interesting and intelligent; never boring. There were times that I was laughing so hard that I had tears in my eyes. She is able to share some of the opinions of the Dress Doctors in a way that is very funny at times and it is important to make the distinctions between her opinions and the ones that she is quoting. I appreciated her discussion of FOF (Fear of Fat) and why there is nothing wrong with ageing or being a normal weight. She discusses the Twiggy era and I was shocked that she did not mention that Twiggy herself hated her appearance. I think that Linda Przybszewski wants to be as positive as possible at all times and it was a good choice not to mention Twiggy's own assessment of her looks.I have been paying more attention to my own clothes after reading this book and I acquired a style guide for men to help me accordingly. This book could help anyone; man or woman to dress better or aspire to do so; but to see this book as merely a style guide is missing so much of what it offers.
