After the Prophet The Epic Story of the ShiaSunni Split in Islam (Audible Audio Edition) Lesley Hazleton Inc Blackstone Audio Books
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In this gripping narrative history, Lesley Hazleton tells the tragic story at the heart of the ongoing rivalry between the Sunni and Shia branches of Islam, a rift that dominates the news now more than ever.
Even as Muhammad lay dying, the battle over who would take control of the new Islamic nation had begun, sparking a succession crisis marked by power grabs, assassination, political intrigue, and passionate faith. Soon Islam was embroiled in civil war, pitting its founder's controversial wife, Aisha, against his son-in-law, Ali, and shattering Muhammad's ideal of unity.
Combining meticulous research with compelling storytelling, After the Prophet explores the volatile intersections of religion and politics, psychology and culture, and history and current events. It is an indispensable guide to the depth and power of the Shia-Sunni split.
After the Prophet The Epic Story of the ShiaSunni Split in Islam (Audible Audio Edition) Lesley Hazleton Inc Blackstone Audio Books
The author of this book, Lesley Hazelton, is a journalist, not a historian or a social scientist, and it shows. The book is a fast, entertaining read, even exciting. However, without any references, it is impossible to tell how much of it is based on serious scholarship and contemporary sources, and how much is based on the author’s assumptions and conjecture (I would guess quite a bit on the latter). In particular, Hazelton goes on at great lengths about the emotions of the people she writes about, and makes extremely sweeping, unsubstantiated assumptions about their characters and what kind of people they were. Most prominently, I found the portrayal of Aisha as an over-indulged, jealous teenager extremely problematic - teenagers of that era went through a completely different socialization, and were at completely different stages of life than in the modern day (indeed, the concept of ‘teenager’ did not exist until relatively recently). Hazelton seems to think that her middle class British childhood experience is somehow universal - it is not, and while that kind of writing might be all right for a Walt Disney script, it does not suit a book with serious pretenses. I also found the comparison between the Rejectionists and modern suicide bombers extremely simplistic, even dangerous - Hazelton seems to be suggesting that fanaticism in 21st century terrorist organizations is somehow inherent in the religion from the ancient day. This is a bold assertion that should not be simply made in passing, but needs to be substantiated with the kind of proper research and thinking that the author certainly does not exhibit here. The book is all right for gaining a basic knowledge of the historical events, but don’t take it too seriously.Product details
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After the Prophet The Epic Story of the ShiaSunni Split in Islam (Audible Audio Edition) Lesley Hazleton Inc Blackstone Audio Books Reviews
I wanted to understand the beginnings of Shia Islam and every book I found in English was either horrendously boring, too politically charged, or both. This book was perfect for it. I couldn't put it down. Yes, this kind of narrative history has its weaknesses, but I haven't seen anything that works better as an introduction to the topic. History is about people's stories, after all.
My one complaint is that lending is disabled on the version. This is the kind of book that, if I owned it in print, I'd be giving out to my friends. It's hard enough to convince friends to try books you recommend even if you are shoving the book into their hands - I'm not sure I can convince anyone to pay $12 for it on my recommendation alone. Maybe I just need better friends.
Surprisingly as a Sunni muslim I don't know why the split of Shia's happened. And I feel like a lot of people don't know either. So many stories are told and sometimes it's political and when you ask another Muslim especially they tend to get very defensive. I loved that I can read this book alone with no judgement simply because I want to educate myself. It's a great unbiased view. Which is what you want when you want truth. The writer is great, and it's an easy read even if you are not familiar with the religion or culture.
This title was selected by our book club recently. Meeting next month to discuss. I expect it will generate a lively discussion. Hazelton's writing is spare and engaging rather than erudite and bland. While it appears to be well researched, at times the story takes on a soap opera air. But that's because the story of early Islam has more than its share of drama, intrigue, politics and familial rivalry. With the recent appearance of Sunni-backed ISIS/ISIL on the world scene, After the Prophet gives the reader considerable background on the earliest history of the Shia and Sunni branches of Islam and what drives their deep animosities and fundamentalist extremism. For readers looking for more understanding of the Koran and its teachings, this book does not satisfy those needs. But, if you want an overview of the early history of the emergence of the faith, it very much delivers.
I hope this is required reading for every American diplomat and official and military officer with some degree of responsibility for dealing with Muslims. I have read a lot about Muslims and Middle eastern governments and yet i never really had the whole story on this Shia vs Sunni issue. Hazleton's book gives us all the details of history and lets us in on how the middle east and Islam was formed and why the history of that region is so alive today! This is one of those history books that is actually a page turner. I could not put it down.
This is a highly engrossing book that is highly relevant to today’s world. The author is a journalist and as such writes in a highly readable style. The book reads more like a novel, rather than a textbook, but nonetheless covers the subject based on numerous sources, some of which go back to the 9th century. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the history of Islam and to all those interesting in understanding the roots of today’s Muslim fanaticism.
This book details the death of the prophet Mohammed and his initial successors, particularly that of his cousin and adopted son Ali. Ali, initially passed over for the leadership of Islam, eventually became its leader. However, the struggle for the leadership of Islam and Ali’s assassination set the stage for the eventual struggle between the Shia (followers of Ali) and the Sunni who believed that the leadership of Islam should not be through Mohammad’s kin. Ali’s son Hussein (also Mohammad’s grandson because Ali married one of Mohammad’s daughters) was likewise killed by the Sunni leadership, creating the basis for Shia martyrdom. The events surrounding the deaths of Ali and Hussein and the nature of how and why they died are highly relevant to today’s world as they created the basis both the Sunni fanaticism of groups like Al Qaida, and Shia fanaticism. The author is clear in explaining these connections, making this book important for understand the modern world.
The author of this book, Lesley Hazelton, is a journalist, not a historian or a social scientist, and it shows. The book is a fast, entertaining read, even exciting. However, without any references, it is impossible to tell how much of it is based on serious scholarship and contemporary sources, and how much is based on the author’s assumptions and conjecture (I would guess quite a bit on the latter). In particular, Hazelton goes on at great lengths about the emotions of the people she writes about, and makes extremely sweeping, unsubstantiated assumptions about their characters and what kind of people they were. Most prominently, I found the portrayal of Aisha as an over-indulged, jealous teenager extremely problematic - teenagers of that era went through a completely different socialization, and were at completely different stages of life than in the modern day (indeed, the concept of ‘teenager’ did not exist until relatively recently). Hazelton seems to think that her middle class British childhood experience is somehow universal - it is not, and while that kind of writing might be all right for a Walt Disney script, it does not suit a book with serious pretenses. I also found the comparison between the Rejectionists and modern suicide bombers extremely simplistic, even dangerous - Hazelton seems to be suggesting that fanaticism in 21st century terrorist organizations is somehow inherent in the religion from the ancient day. This is a bold assertion that should not be simply made in passing, but needs to be substantiated with the kind of proper research and thinking that the author certainly does not exhibit here. The book is all right for gaining a basic knowledge of the historical events, but don’t take it too seriously.
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