Heresy and the Politics of Community: The Jews of the Fatimid Caliphate (Conjunctions of Religion and Power in the Medieval Past)

Heresy and the Politics of Community: The Jews of the Fatimid Caliphate (Conjunctions of Religion and Power in the Medieval Past)
Marina Rustow (Author)

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Syria

In a book with a bold new view of medieval Jewish history, written in a style accessible to nonspecialists and students as well as to scholars in the field, Marina Rustow changes our understanding of the origins and nature of heresy itself. Scholars have long believed that the Rabbanites and Qaraites, the two major Jewish groups under Islamic rule, split decisively in the tenth century and from that time forward the minority Qaraites were deemed a heretical sect. Qaraites affirmed a right to decide matters of Jewish law free from centuries of rabbinic interpretation; the Rabbanites, in turn, claimed an unbroken chain of scholarly tradition. Rustow draws heavily on the Cairo Geniza, a repository of papers found in a Rabbanite synagogue, to show that despite the often fierce arguments between the groups, they depended on each other for political and financial support and cooperated in both public and private life. This evidence of remarkable interchange leads Rustow to the conclusion that the accusation of heresy appeared sporadically, in specific contexts, and that the history of permanent schism was the invention of polemicists on both sides. Power shifted back and forth fluidly across what later commentators, particularly those invested in the rabbinic claim to exclusive authority, deemed to have been sharply drawn boundaries. Heresy and the Politics of Community paints a portrait of a more flexible medieval Eastern Mediterranean world than has previously been imagined and demonstrates a new understanding of the historical meanings of charges of heresy against communities of faith. Historians of premodern societies will find that, in her fresh approach to medieval Jewish and Islamic culture, Rustow illuminates a major issue in the history of religions.

• Rank: #1014613 in Books
• Published on: 2008-07-17
• Released on: 2008-07-17
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: 9.49" h x 7.01" w x 1.38" l, 1.96 pounds
• Binding: Hardcover
• 472 pages

Lands of the Bible: A Geographical and Topographical Description of Palestine, with Letters of Travel in Egypt, Syria, Asia Minor, and Greece

Lands of the Bible: A Geographical and Topographical Description of Palestine, with Letters of Travel in Egypt, Syria, Asia Minor, and Greece
John William McGarvey (Author)

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Syria

This Elibron Classics book is a facsimile reprint of a 1882 edition by J. B. Lippincott & Co., Philadelphia.

• Rank: #1340198 in Books
• Published on: 2002-02-05
• Released on: 2002-02-05
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 704 pages

The Middle East Then and Now: The History of Israel, Iran, Syria and Afghanistan

The Middle East Then and Now: The History of Israel, Iran, Syria and Afghanistan
Charles River Editors (Author)
(1)

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Syria

*Includes maps of the Middle East and pictures of important leaders
*Includes an introduction for each country
*Includes a Table of Contents

Before World War I, the West was largely unfamiliar with the Middle East, but in less than 100 years it has become the world's hotspot, a turbulent and volatile tinder box full of sectarian, nationalist and cultural strife. In 2012, the Middle East is home to the Arab Spring, civil war in Syria, NATO operations in Afghanistan, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and Iran's nuclear program, all of which continue to concern the rest of the world.

The Middle East Then and Now looks at all of today's issues, as well as the history of four nations at the forefront of the conflict. In analyzing Israel's past and present, this ebook breaks down all the terms often thrown around in the Middle East that make the peace process a political minefield, and one that both beginners and sophisticated followers have a hard time keeping up with. Serving as both a glossary and primer of the history of the Middle East conflict and the peace process, The Middle East Then and Now defines the terms, looks at the history, discusses previous attempts at negotiations like Oslo and Taba, identifies important figures, and explains the arguments and mentalities of each side, showing why the conflict has proven so intractable.

Although Iran was home of the Persian Empire and once had peaceful nuclear programs with Western cooperation before the Islamic revolution, today it is widely considered Israel's archenemy and an antagonist of the West. This book traces Iran's history from the Ancient Persian Empire to today.


As one of the hottest political topics in the world today, nearly everyone is aware of the ongoing violence in Syria, between forces loyal to the regime of Bashar al-Assad and opposition looking to overthrow the regime. Within that narrative are a number of sensitive issues, including sectarian strife between the majority Sunni population and the Alawites, not to mention Christians. People may know what’s going on in Syria today, but how did Syria get to where it is today, at the forefront of the Arab Spring? The history of Syria in the last century is one of turbulence, violence, and political intrigue, with local religious sects battling for control of the land while foreign powers vied to maintain influence over the region. What resulted was a toxic and twisted mess that has precipitously affected the entire region, from Israel and Lebanon to Iran and Iraq.


In the 21st century, as NATO’s operation against the Taliban and al-Qaeda has dragged on for over a decade, the old maxim that Afghanistan is the graveyard of empires has been revived. Indeed, the rugged, desolate, and mountainous region was a place that many Westerners likely could not have found on a map before the attacks of September 11, and now the nation’s border with Pakistan is one of the world’s hottest spots. Thanks to Afghanistan and the “Af-Pak” theater, people continue to learn about groups like the Haqqani Network, NATO’s struggles to subdue the Taliban and affiliated militants in Afghanistan are merely the latest chapter in Afghanistan’s very turbulent history. Well before the current conflict, Afghanistan frustrated the Soviet Union, and various tribes and religions have attempted to gain traction there over the last several centuries. The history of Afghanistan is a lesson in convolution.

Along with maps and pictures, The Middle East Then and Now looks at the region's history and today's issues, explaining how the Middle East became what it was today. With this comprehensive primer, get caught up on the state of affairs today.

• Rank: #93777 in eBooks
• Published on: 2012-06-19
• Released on: 2012-06-19
• Format: Kindle eBook
• Number of items: 1

History of Syria Including Lebanon and Palestine, Vol. 1

History of Syria Including Lebanon and Palestine, Vol. 1
Philip K. Hitti (Author)
(1)

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Syria

A brilliant history of the land into which more historical and cultural events were croweded than perhaps into any area of equal size. For Syria has either invented or transmitted to mankind such benefits as monotheistic religion, philosophy, law, trade, agriculture, and our allphabet.

• Rank: #979754 in Books
• Published on: 2002-10-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: 8.82" h x 5.98" w x 1.09" l, 1.45 pounds
• Binding: Paperback
• 452 pages

Description #1 by Barnes & Noble - The Booknook GA:

Contributors: Philip K. Hitti - Author. Format: Paperback

Description #2 by Alibris:

A brilliant history of the land into which more historical and cultural events were crowded than perhaps into any area of equal size. For Syria has invented or transmitted to mankind such benefits as monotheistic religion, philosophy, law, trade, agriculture, and the alphabet.

Description #3 by eBay - grandeagleretail:

Store Search search Title, ISBN and Author History of Syria Including Lebanon and Palestine (Volume 2) by Philip K. Hitti Estimated delivery 3-12 business days Format Paperback Condition Brand New A brilliant history of the land into which more historical and cultural events were croweded than perhaps into any area of equal size. For Syria has either invented or transmitted to mankind such benefits as monotheistic religion, philosophy, law, trade, agriculture, and our allphabet. Publisher Descr

Saladin

Saladin
Abdul Rahman Azzam (Author)
(1)

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Like Alexander or Caesar, the name of Saladin – the greatest figure of Islamic history – has a timeless quality. As famous today as he was when he drove the Crusaders out of Jerusalem, the real Saladin has dissolved into legend with each generation’s retelling of his story. Through the ages he has made many numerous appearances in both classic and popular culture: Dante placed him in the first circle of Hell with the heroes of Troy and Rome while Rex Harrison played him as a cad in the film King Richard and the Crusaders. In Youssef Chahine’s epic film Saladin, he emerged as a hero of Arab socialism, and he has even made an appearance in an episode of Dr Who. Even today, Saladin’s historical influence continues with Osama bin Laden, Saddam Hussein and Colonel Gaddafi all claiming to be his military and spiritual heir.

 

To understand the real Saladin, however, A. R. Azzam argues that we must place him within his historical setting amidst the 10th century Sunni Revival - the powerful and sweeping intellectual renaissance which would ultimately transform every field of Islamic thought. Making a compelling case against accepted orthodoxy, this ground-breaking biography contends that Saladin was not the brilliant military commander of popular imagination but that, in fact, his true greatness lay in his spiritual vision. An honest and guileless leader, Saladin baffled his enemies by refusing to play their political games and succeeded in uniting an army from all parts of the Muslim world without bloodshed. Yet despite being one of the most powerful men in Islam, Saladin died a pauper in 1193 without even enough money for straw to line his coffin.

 

The first major biography of Saladin for twenty years, and the first by a Muslim historian to appear in English, A. R. Azzam’s timely and fascinating account is essential reading for anyone interested in the medieval Crusades, Islamic history and the origins of the modern Middle East.

• Rank: #141282 in Books
• Published on: 2009-01-08
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: 9.53" h x .87" w x 6.46" l, 1.78 pounds
• Binding: Paperback
• 288 pages

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Saladin (Ancient World Leaders) by John Davenport

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Categories: Saladin, Sultan of Egypt and Syria (1137-1193). Contributors: Malcolm Cameron Lyons - Author. Format: Paperback

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Categories: Saladin, Sultan of Egypt and Syria (1137-1193). Contributors: David Nicolle - Author. Format: Paperback

The Ancient Languages of Syria-Palestine and Arabia

The Ancient Languages of Syria-Palestine and Arabia
Roger D. Woodard (Editor)
(2)

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Syria

This 2008 book, derived from the acclaimed Cambridge Encyclopedia of the World's Ancient Languages, describes the ancient languages of Syria-Palestine and Arabia, for the convenience of students and specialists working in that area. Each chapter of the work focuses on an individual language or, in some instances, a set of closely related varieties of a language. Providing a full descriptive presentation, each of these chapters examines the writing system(s), phonology, morphology, syntax and lexicon of that language, and places the language within its proper linguistic and historical context. The volume brings together an international array of scholars, each a leading specialist in ancient language study. While designed primarily for scholars and students of linguistics, this work will prove invaluable to all whose studies take them into the realm of ancient language.

• Rank: #358846 in Books
• Published on: 2008-05-12
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: 9.69" h x .59" w x 7.44" l, 1.12 pounds
• Binding: Paperback
• 284 pages

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Description #2 by Barnes & Noble - PaperbackshopUS:

Contributors: Roger D. Woodard - Editor. Format: Paperback

Description #3 by Barnes & Noble:

Contributors: Roger D. Woodard - Editor. Format: Paperback