Religion and politics Books

Book Synopsis''A landmark contribution to humanity''s understanding of itself'' The New York TimesWhy can it sometimes feel as though half the population is living in a different moral universe? Why do ideas such as ''fairness'' and ''freedom'' mean such different things to different people? Why is it so hard to see things from another viewpoint? Why do we come to blows over politics and religion?Jonathan Haidt reveals that we often find it hard to get along because our minds are hardwired to be moralistic, judgemental and self-righteous. He explores how morality evolved to enable us to form communities, and how moral values are not just about justice and equality - for some people authority, sanctity or loyalty matter more. Morality binds and blinds, but, using his own research, Haidt proves it is possible to liberate ourselves from the disputes that divide good people.Trade ReviewA landmark contribution to humanity's understanding of itself * The New York Times *If you want to know why you hold your moral beliefs and why many people disagree with you, read this book -- Simon Baron-Cohen * author of The Essential Difference *A truly seminal book -- David Goodhart * Prospect *A tour de force - brave, brilliant, and eloquent. It will challenge the way you think about liberals and conservatives, atheism and religion, good and evil -- Paul Bloom * author of How Pleasure Works *Compelling . . . a fluid combination of erudition and entertainment -- Ian Birrell * Observer *Lucid and thought-provoking . . . deserves to be widely read -- Jenni Russell * Sunday Times *

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewAnyone who is concerned about the future of democracy should read this brisk, accessible book. Anyone who is not concerned should definitely read it. -- Daron Acemoglu, co-author of Why Nations FailHow Democracies Die by Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt is a useful primer on the importance of norms, institutional restraints and civic participation in maintaining a democracy - and how quickly those things can erode when we're not paying attention * President Barack Obama *With great energy and integrity [Levitsky and Ziblatt] apply their expertise to the current problems of the United States. -- Timothy Snyder, author of On TyrannyWe owe the authors a debt of thanks for bringing their deep understanding to bear on the central political issue of the day. -- Francis Fukuyama, author of Political Order and Political DecayWhat's the worst thing to happen to US democracy recently? Most answers to that question start and end with Donald Trump. Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt, though as horrified by Trump as anyone, try to take a wider view. This book looks to history to provide a guide for defending democratic norms when they are under threat, and finds that it is possible to fight back. Provocative and readable. -- David Runciman * The Guardian *There are two must-read books about the Trump presidency at the moment. This is the one you probably haven't heard of. It is also the one that is most useful to British readers. Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt are anti-Donald Trump politics professors at Harvard. And the big advantage of political scientists over even the shrewdest and luckiest of eavesdropping journalists is that they have the training to give us a bigger picture.They set out some rules about the slow, internal collapse of democracies, which are entirely relevant to Britain... * The Times *The greatest of the many merits of Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt's contribution to what will doubtless be the ballooning discipline of democracy death studies is their rejection of western exceptionalism. They tell inspiring stories I had not heard before...excellent, scholarly and readable, alarming and level-headed. * The Guardian *The political-science text in vogue this winter is How Democracies Die. * The New Yorker *[An] important new book. * New York Times *Levitsky and Ziblatt show how democracies have collapsed elsewhere-not just through violent coups, but more commonly (and insidiously) through a gradual slide into authoritarianism.... How Democracies Die is a lucid and essential guide to what can happen here. * New York Times *We're already awash in public indignation-what we desperately need is a sober, dispassionate look at the current state of affairs. Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt, two of the most respected scholars in the field of democracy studies, offer just that. * The Washington Post *Grander, more didactic ambitions underpin "How Democracies Die" ... a more scholarly approach * The Economist *The most thought-provoking book comparing democratic crises in different nations * New York Review of Books *The most important book of the Trump era was not Bob Woodward's Fear or Michael Wolff's Fire and Fury or any of the other bestselling exposés of the White House circus. Arguably it was a wonkish tome by two Harvard political scientists, Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt, published a year into Donald Trump's presidency and entitled How Democracies Die * The Economist *

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisThis book is an action, a political action where revolution is the goal'Andrea Dworkin's blazing, prophetic debut argued that a deep-rooted hatred of women has been ingrained in society for centuries and still governs us today. From fairy tales to erotic novels to witch-burnings, she uncovers the ways in which male violence and oppression have been normalized throughout history, and points the way to liberation. To see where we are going we must understand where we have been. Woman Hating is a much needed and long overdue addition toward that understanding' Audre LordeA singularly powerful voice Dworkin [gave] definitive expression to the radical feminist tenet that sexual domination was the beating heart of patriarchy' Amia Srinivasan, LRB

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Book Synopsis'If you've ever wondered what would happen if limitless money met limitless power, wonder no longer, it's all here ... Terrifying, disturbing and ghastly' Oliver Bullough, author of Moneyland'Explosive' The Times'[A] Crisp page-turner of a book teeming with telling detail ... Splendid' Financial Times'The fascinating and highly entertaining tale ... Fly-on-the-wall reporting and palace intrigue worthy of Machiavelli' John Carreyrou, author of Bad BloodLonglisted for the 2020 Financial Times / McKinsey Business Book of the YearBlood and Oil the explosive untold story of how Mohammed bin Salman and his entourage grabbed power in the Middle East and acquired a network of Western allies - including well-known US bankers, Hollywood figures, and politicians - all eager to help the charming and crafty crown prince.Through astonishing interviews with powerful insiders, Blood and Oil tells how MBS's cabal played the Saudi economy and capitalised on the omnipotence of feudal power while effectively stamping out dissent, before allegations of his extreme brutality and excess began to slip out. A story of breathtaking dealings that range from Riyadh to London, Paris to America, this is a thrilling and brutal investigation into extreme wealth, one of the world's most decisive and dangerous new leaders, and the bid for Saudi transformation that is reverberating around the world.'This is as close to the truth, to the real story of the corruption, vulgarities, horrors, and lies of the Kingdom and its current despot as we are likely to get. It also can be read as a Shakespearean story of utter greed' Seymour Hersh, author of Chain of CommandTrade ReviewHope & Scheck confront us with the conundrum of a young man who is doing good by his Kingdom - brilliantly describing how the enigmatic Crown Prince is bringing progress to Arabia as we would see it in the West - while operating with a ruthlessness and absolutism that make the stomach curl. Blood and Oil is compelling reading. We are challenged and enthralled on every page. * Robert Lacey — Author of The Kingdom and Inside the Kingdom *Blood and Oil is the best book I've read about the Middle East. It gets deep into the most opaque place on earth, without a false note anywhere. Not to mention the book is a wonderfully readable page-turner, and indispensable if you want a glimpse of the future of Saudi Arabia and the world. * Robert Baer, author of See No Evil and Sleeping with the Devil *It will leave you with a deep and nuanced understanding of the Crown Prince's thinking and its implications for Saudi Arabia and the entire Middle East * John Carreyrou, author of Bad Blood *This is as close to the truth, to the real story of the corruption, vulgarities, horrors, and lies of the Kingdom and its current despot as we are likely to get. It also can be read as a Shakespearean story of utter greed. * Seymour Hersh, author of Chain of Command *Bradley Hope and Justin Scheck chronicle the truly incredible story of MBS's rise in the deep, multidimensional way that only experienced Wall Street Journal reporters can do. The book reads like a novel, but it also plays the critically important role of illuminating a real person who is going to shape our world in ways we would all be better for understanding. * Bethany McLean, author Saudi America and co-author of The Smartest Guys in the Room *Blood and Oil is a revelatory book that resonates with a stranger-than-fiction quality as the authors' analysis of the Crown Prince's brutishness, outlandishness, and reformer's mentality is as riveting as it is profound. * Bryan Burrough, author of Public Enemies and co-author of Barbarians at the Gate *A gossipy account of the rise to power of Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, offering detailed insights into his ascent and his business, family and political relationships * Financial Times *It is lively and well written, and it draws a sharp portrait of the man at its heart * New York Times *If you've ever wondered what would happen if limitless money met limitless power, wonder no longer, it's all here. This book is by turns terrifying, disturbing and ghastly, but written with a light touch that forces you to keep reading * Oliver Bullough, author of Moneyland *Blood and Oil really is a riveting page-turner, a descent into a nest of vipers, a chilling profile of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, known by his initials MBS -- Lara Marlowe * The Irish Times *

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Book SynopsisJulia Ebner is a terrorism and extremism researcher based in London specialising in far-right extremism, reciprocal radicalisation and terrorism prevention initiatives. She is a Research Fellow at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue and a Global Fellow at the Project for the Study of the 21st Century. She spent two years working for the world's first counter-extremism organisation Quilliam, where she led research projects on terrorism prevention for the European Commission and the Kofi Annan Foundation and gave evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee on far-right extremism. In her role as the coordinator of the pan-European network Families Against Terrorism and Extremism (FATE), she carried out radicalisation prevention projects across Europe and North Africa. On the basis of her research, Julia advises parliamentary working groups, frontline workers and tech firms, speaks at international conferences and delivers workshops in schools and universities. She regularly writTrade ReviewSelected by the Guardian as one of the best ten books for understanding the threat of terrorism * The Guardian *[Ebner] marshals facts well, identifies trends clearly, endeavours to contextualise her viewpoint and has a flair for the illustrative anecdote. * Survival: Global Politics and Strategy *Table of ContentsAbbreviations Movements Acknowledgements Foreword Preface Introduction -Inside Extremist Groups -You Hate Me and I Hate You -The Age of Rage -Exploring Rage with Empathy 1. The End of a Collective Illusion -The Leaning Tower of Jenga -Extremist Storytellers -Stories of Wars -Wars of Stories 2. The Global Jihadist Insurgency -A Brief History of Islamist Extremist Ideas -The New Islamist Extremist Wave 3. The Far-Right Renaissance -A Brief History of Far-Right Ideas -The New Far-Right Wave 4. Identity Politics -From Fear to Rage -The Global Identity Crisis -Victims and Demons -Islamist Identity Politics -Far-Right Identity Politics

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Book SynopsisThe year 2020 is a hugely significant one for the United States of America, marking as it does the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the Mayflower Pilgrims to the New World and their establishment of a `godly' colony in (what was for them) the `American wilderness'. But it is also the year of the next Presidential election, one where the current occupant is expected to stand for re-election. Many millions of Americans will not see this as a random juxtaposition of events, since for them the unlikely person of Donald Trump is the one chosen by God to implement a twenty-first-century programme of godly rule and the restoration of American spiritual exceptionalism that is directly rooted in those far-off times when Puritan settlers (who followed in 1630) first established a semi-theocratic `New Jerusalem' in the `New World'. The USA is the home of more Christians than any other nation on earth. In 2014 research revealed that 70.6 per cent of Americans identified as Christians of some form with 25.4% identifying as `Evangelicals'. Eighty-one per cent of them, around 33.7 million people, voted Trump in 2016. How can it be that self-described Christians of the `Evangelical Religious Right' see, of all people, Donald Trump as their political representative and thus defender of their cause? Trump and the Puritans argues that while Donald Trump is no Puritan, the long-term influence of these 17th century radicals makes the USA different from any other Western democracy, and that this influence motivates and energizes a key element of his base to an astonishing degree and has played a major part in delivering political power to Trump.Trade Review"James Roberts and Martyn Whittock have produced a timely, stimulating and sometimes provocative analysis of perhaps the most important and certainly the least understood section of Donald Trump's base." - Donald Macintyre, Journalist "This is an essential handbook for 2020, the anniversary of the Mayflower landing and the year Trump bids for re-election. Consistently overlooked and belittled by political commentators, his considerable power base of evangelical Americans hails Trump as the unlikely instrument appointed by God to revive the shining 'city on a hill' of the early settlers. This is a readable, timely and revelatory insight into a dangerously neglected aspect of America's cultural identity." - Clare Asquith, scholar and author "James Roberts and Martyn Whittock in Trump and the Puritans trace the source of Donald Trump's appeal and some of his policies back to the religious convictions of the Puritan pilgrims who arrived on the Mayflower in 1620. Fascinating reading, and essential for an understanding of the influence of today's evangelical Americans on the US President." - Piers Paul Read, historian and novelist "This engrossing book offers a unique take on Donald Trump's presidency, tracking America's Puritan legacy from the Mayflower Pilgrims to his White House. In the process its authors explain the significance of Mike Pence, Brett Kavanaugh versus Christine Blasey Ford and Benjamin Netanyahu in the age of the Donald." - Cristina Odone, broadcaster and journalist "Regardless of how you feel about Donald Trump, you will be helpfully informed by reading Trump and the Puritans. If you've wondered why so many evangelicals, African-Americans and women seem to support Donald Trump in ways that puzzle his critics, this book will do a lot of explaining. What the authors provide are an array of substantiated quotes and pieces of information that will provide insights seldom found in one place." - Tony Campolo, professor emeritus of sociology, Eastern University and former spiritual adviser to Bill Clinton “What connects Hillary Clinton’s infamous ‘basket of deplorables’ with the Puritans who arrived on the Mayflower on America’s shores 400 years ago? In this fascinating study of the Trump phenomenon, James Roberts and Martyn Whittock lift the lid on a rarely examined part of his core vote: why, in 2016, 81 per cent of US evangelical Christians backed a man often characterised by his deep flaws. An essential and riveting read as Trump limbers up for his bid for a second term in the White House.” - Julie Etchingham, journalist and broadcaster

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Book Synopsis'Old poisons decanted into new bottles': where does criticism of Israel end and where does antisemitism begin?

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“As an ideological refresher on what the West got right, Shapiro’s book gets the job done.” — The Washington Post Shapiro cavorts through 3,000 years of intellectual history in the span of about 250 pages, offering a perspicuous, “user-friendly” dive into some of our civilization’s biggest ideas. — The Washington Examiner “Ben Shapiro knows the power of his voice. He stands up and fights for what he believes with time-tested ideas. The Right Side of History is thoughtful and well-reasoned - exactly what Shapiro’s critics don’t want you to hear.” — Nikki Haley, former premanent representative of the U.S. Mission of the United Nations

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Book SynopsisWhy we need a materialist spirituality for the secular left, and how to build one. The left commonly rejects religion and spirituality as counter-revolutionary forces, citing Marx's famous dictum that "religion is the opium of the people." Yet forms of spirituality have motivated struggles throughout history, ranging from medieval peasant uprisings and colonial slave revolts, to South American liberation theology and the US civil rights movement. And in a world where religion is growing, and political movements are ridden with conflict, burnout, and failure, what can the left learn from religion? Red Enlightenment argues not only for a deepened understanding of religious matters, but calls for the secular left to develop its own spiritual perspectives. It proposes a materialist spirituality built from socialist and scientific sources, finding points of contact with the global history of philosophy and religion. From cybernetics to liberation theology, from ancient Indian and Chinese philosophy to Marxist dialectical materialism, from traditional religious practices to contemporary art, music, and film, Red Enlightenment sets out a plausible secular spirituality, a new socialist praxis, and a utopian vision.Trade ReviewIn this wide-ranging and often moving book, Jones makes a strong case that socialism not only is compatible with spirituality, but ultimately requires it for a comprehensive view of the multifaceted human condition. Red Enlightenment is fascinating reading for anyone interested in finding a way out of our current political crisis.

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Book SynopsisOur churches are beset by challenges. From the outside, they are beset by a rapidly secularizing culture. From the inside, they''re being hollowed out by the departure of young people and a watered-down spirituality. Many believers are blind to it, and their churches are too weak to resist. Those who notice are often frightened, and wonder what went wrong and what they can do about these trends.The Benedict Option is a guide for Christians under siege - a strategy that draws on the authority of scripture and the wisdom of the ancient church. The goal: to embrace exile from mainstream culture and construct a resilient counterculture. In this visionary book, Dreher urges today''s faithful to be new St Benedicts, building up local churches, creating new schools and taking up practices that can help them face today''s world with confidence.Horrified by the moral chaos following Rome''s fall, St Benedict - a sixth-century monk - retreated to the forest and created

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Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE IRISH BOOK AWARDS 2021The riveting story of a nation at a crucial crossroadsFrom the start of his stint as RTÉ''s Washington Correspondent Brian O''Donovan''s lively and authoritative reporting of a tumultuous period in American life has been must-watch TV.Four Years in the Cauldron is his account of four busy years working in the US. He draws a compelling picture, full of telling colour and detail, of covering its fractured politics, particularly the extraordinary presidency of Donald Trump and the knife-edge election of Joe Biden. And he gives his unique perspective on big stories such as the Covid emergency, the Capitol riot, the murder of George Floyd and trial and conviction of his police killer.He also provides a visceral sense of what it''s like living in a country shaped by guns, God, far-fetched conspiracy theories and the running sore of racism. Yet, drawing on his network of contacts, neighbours, friTrade Review[O'Donovan] captures well both the frenetic life of a reporter . . . and the Punch and Judy period in American politics that was the Trump presidency * Irish Times *An intriguing look at an extraordinary time . . . the book brings us to some fascinating places -- Ryan TubridyA great read * The Last Word with Matt Cooper *An amazing book, full of stories and anecdotes -- Neil Prendeville * Red FM *

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Book SynopsisIs the Bible the unembellished Word of God or the product of human agency? There are different answers to that question. And they lie at the heart of this book''s powerful exploration of the fraught ways in which money, race and power shape the story of Christianity in American public life. The authors'' subject is the Museum of the Bible in Washington, DC: arguably the latest example of a long line of white evangelical institutions aiming to amplify and promote a religious, political, and moral agenda of their own. In their careful and compelling investigation, Jill Hicks-Keeton and Cavan Concannon disclose the ways in which the Museum''s exhibits reinforce a particularized and partial interpretation of the Bible''s meaning. Bringing to light the Museum''s implicit messaging about scriptural provenance and audience, the authors reveal how the MOTB produces a version of the Bible that in essence authorizes a certain sort of white evangelical privilege; promotes a view of history aligneTrade Review'From common sense realism in the nineteenth century to the Museum of the Bible, American Protestants, and white evangelicals in particular, have approached the Bible with a kind of willful naïveté, confident that they understand its meaning. In their 'close reading' of the Museum of the Bible, Jill Hicks-Keeton and Cavan Concannon demonstrate that any approach to the Bible is complicated by allegiances, prejudices, economics, privilege, and cultural location. This is a very worthy and thought-provoking book.' Randall Balmer, Dartmouth College'Does Scripture Speak for Itself? uses one book and one museum to unpack with incisive reflection the manifold ways that white evangelicalism has leveraged a particular rendering of biblical Christianity for political gain. Combining business history with exegesis, cultural analysis with media studies, ethnography with sharp scrutiny of power, Jill Hicks-Keeton and Cavan Concannon's outstanding book is a must read for anyone trying to grasp the institutional juggernaut that is the modern religious right.' Darren Dochuk, University of Notre Dame, author of Anointed With Oil: How Christianity and Crude Made Modern America'This book shows how contemporary white Americans manufacture the Bible they need to achieve the political future they want. In this incisive work, two brilliant scholars offer a coruscating view of how scripture operates as an ideological weapon. Required reading for students of religion, race, and politics in the U.S.' Kathryn Lofton, Yale University'A compelling read and fascinating tour. As our author-guides walk us through the exhibits and back rooms of the Museum of the Bible, we come to see it as a kind of bible-making machine, built to produce and promote a form of biblicism that in turn reproduces and further promotes white Christian privilege. Along the way, we gain a deeper and richer understanding of the rise of American evangelicalism and the religious right.' Timothy Beal, Case Western Reserve University, author of When Time Is Short: Finding Our Way in the Anthropocene'This fascinating book represents the pivot in orientation toward critical transdisciplinarity among academic scholars of the Bible that I have long called for. I especially appreciate the authors' readings of 'the Bible' and other cultural and political 'scriptures,' which will make readers aware of the complex inheritance of and participation - with unintentional or willful ignorance - in the construction and ongoing advancement of white supremacy. With its honest questioning, analysis, and close reading, the book models the possibility of a refocused and reoriented field.' Vincent Wimbush, Institute for Signifying Scriptures'Hicks-Keeton and Concannon provide an incomparable tour of the Museum of the Bible, placing it within the broader context of white evangelicalism and illuminating the theological and ideological agendas animating its work. Engaging and incisive, this brilliant book is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the battle for the Bible in the American public square.' Mark Chancey, Southern Methodist University'A keen, insightful reading of the white evangelical Bible that the Museum of the Bible hallows, magnifies, and markets with such zeal in the nation's capital. A learned excursion through the museum's acutely politicized exhibitions that is a tour de force both for biblical studies and American religious history.' Leigh Eric Schmidt, Washington University in St. Louis'Does Scripture Speak for Itself leaves no doubt that the Museum of the Bible speaks loudly for white evangelicals. Hicks-Keeton and Concannon offer an eye-opening tour of the worlds within and around this new institution, shining a critical light on the values that inform its exhibits and the funders that underwrite its mission. Anyone interested in the still-bustling intersection of Christianity and American public life will find this an absorbing read.' Heath Carter, Princeton Theological Seminary'Heirs to a long history of entrepreneurial obfuscation, the Museum of the Bible and its founding family, the Greens, promote a white evangelical Bible fashioned from capitalist extraction, consumerist excess, and the thrill of discovery. In an exhilarating analysis of this Bible's latest advocates, Hicks-Keeton and Concannon interrogate the ways that branding transforms money into personal salvation, with consequences not only for the nation and its imagined whiteness but also for biblical scholarship. This is an indispensable book.' Jennifer Knust, Duke University'Hicks-Keeton and Concannon provide a meticulously researched account … The sharp analyses of the exhibits are as convincing as they are disconcerting' Publishers WeeklyTable of Contents1. Provenance; 2. Good book; 3. Reliable Bible; 4. Jesus, Israel, and a Christian America; 5. Biblical capital.

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Book SynopsisChoosing Liberty in California Policy Reform examines major problems facing California. Affordable Housing, Euthanasia, Occupational Licensing, and School Choice in California are problems that need new approaches to solving. Through the process of applying Libertarian principles of liberty and freedom, the full rights and dignity of the citizens of California can be restored.

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Book SynopsisSam Harris is the author of five New York Times bestsellers. His books include The End of Faith, Letter to a Christian Nation, The Moral Landscape, Free Will, Lying, and Waking Up. The End of Faith won the 2005 PEN/Martha Albrand Award for Nonfiction. His work has been published in more than twenty languages. Harris has written for the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, the Economist, The Times, the Boston Globe, the Atlantic, Annals of Neurology, and other outlets. He received a degree in philosophy from Stanford University and a PhD in neuroscience from UCLA. Please visit his website at SamHarris.org.Trade ReviewI don’t have many can’t miss podcasts, but Making Sense is right at the top of that short list. Sam Harris and his varied and fascinating guests generate light but not heat. The choir is neither preached to nor pointlessly provoked. I have never finished a single episode without having learned something and being given pause for real thought. * Stephen Fry *Even in casual discussion, Sam is intelligent, educated, honest, considered and brave. He’s really not cut out for the Internet. * Ricky Gervais *Sam Harris is the most intellectually courageous man I know, not afraid to speak truths out in the open where others keep those very same thoughts buried, fearful of the modish thought police. His literate intelligence and fluency with words has transferred from the written to the spoken medium, and in his podcast he brings out the best in his guests, including those with whom he disagrees. * Richard Dawkins, author of The God Delusion *Do yourself a favor, broaden your perspectives and listen to the Making Sense podcast. Whatever your politics, you will find ideas and points of views you've never considered before, in fields you don't know, from neuroscience to computer science to culture. * Anne Applebaum, author of Gulag *Of all the podcasts available, the one nobody should miss is Making Sense. Every episode is stimulating. In an era when everyone seems to have lost their reason, here is one of the few places where reason remains safe. * Douglas Murray, author of The Strange Death of Europe and The Madness of Crowds *

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Book SynopsisIn this rallying cry for a phlegmatic and fun brand of masculinity, Sam Delaney makes the case for a happier way of living.

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Book SynopsisDrawing on his deep, erudite insight into the life and teachings of the blessed Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and fourteen centuries of Islamic scholarship, Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri's 512-page, detailed fatwa demolishes the theological arguments advanced by terrorists in prisons, on websites, videos and their literature.Trade ReviewTahir ul-Qadri's distinctive and voluminous fatwa is an exhaustive study of what the Quran and Islamic sources have to say about the use of violence, terrorism and suicide bombing and is a categorical and unequivocal rejection of all acts of illegitimate violence, terrorism and every act of suicide bombing against all human beings, whether Muslim or non-Muslim. At the same time, he also distances himself from all, whether fellow prominent religious leaders or Muslim youth who have the potential to be radicalized, who would seek to justify and excuse suicide bombing and terrorism for any reason. As he noted in an interview with Christiane Amanpour, Terrorism and violence cannot be considered to be permissible in Islam on the basis of any excuse. ... Any good intention or any mistake of foreign policy of any country or any pretext cannot legalize the act of terrorism. This important fatwa is a major contribution to Islamic discourse and teaching and to inter-religious understanding in the 21st century, offering a thought-provoking message and lesson for all who seek global peace and justice. --Foreword by Prof John Esposito The Shaykh's scholarship is remarkable. The fatwa rests upon a granite-solid foundation of research and references from the Quran, reliable Hadith of established provenance, opinions of the Beloved Prophet s Companions and the classical texts of Islamic scholarship that are widely accepted by all main schools of thought. I have pored over not only the exhaustive text of the fatwa, but also over its hundreds of footnotes. Carefully selected for their reliability and clarity, the citations are employed by the Shaykh with obvious and commendable scholarly concern for precision and accuracy and after all issues of truth, objectivity and bias have been carefully weighed on the scales of his mind. In selecting sources, building his case brick-by-brick and expressing his argument powerfully and clearly, he has demonstrated profoundly good judgement. The power of Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri s argument stems from its completeness and comprehensiveness as well as from the fact that, for the first time in a fatwa, an internationally renowned scholar has left no stone unturned in his determination to demonstrate that there can be no possible justification for deliberate violence in the name of Islam outside of the context of organised warfare. This is itself only permissible when undertaken according to strict criteria based only on self-defence and adherence to justice. Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri categorically demonstrates with dependable scholarship that regardless of any claimed motives, however righteous they may seem, evil acts will remain evil. Indeed, the Shaykh demonstrates that suicide bombings and other forms of terrorism are so unjust and wicked that they place the perpetrators outside of Islam. That is, these acts are the acts of unbelievers, not martyrs, and they will expose those who do them to the gravest likelihood of eternal punishment after death. --Introduction by Dr Joel Hayward Fareed Zakaria, CNN: While past [fatwas] may have hemmed and hawed about where the Koran condoned terror or particular kinds of violence, this one is definitive. It says there is no theological justification for terror in Islam. Nicholas Kralev, The Washington Times: ... the new fatwa makes the most detailed and comprehensive case against Islamic extremist. Christian Caryl, Foreign Policy Magazine: Qadri s fatwa aims to establish a bit of healthy clarity. His finding, which builds its argument around a meticulous reading of the Quran and the hadith (collections of oral statements attributed to the Prophet Mohammed), makes the case that terrorist acts run completely counter to Islamic teaching... He s especially keen on targeting the coming generation, younger members of the global ummah (the community of believers) who he contends have lost their bearings in the roiled post-9/11 world. Carla Power, TIME: Qadri s fatwa may well be the most detailed anti-terror fatwa ever written... His fatwa: Terrorism is at all times, in all conditions, against Islam. The murders terrorists commit will send them, not to paradise, as often claimed, but to hell. The Globe and Mail, Canada: It is a direct and powerful argument aimed at the young and at all those whose silence or equivocal statements have been understood by the young as tacit approval. --International Media

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Book SynopsisA window into sixty years of evangelical political engagement American evangelicals are often assumed to be a monolithic political force absolutely unified in their priorities. This collection of articles from Christianity Today originally published between 1956 and 2016 tells a different story. Evangelical engagement with politics has been more complex than is often remembered. Dual Citizens reveals a variety of evangelical thought towards political developments over the past few decades. In Dual Citizens, Timothy D. Padgett has collected a number of articles that traces a variety of perspectives in evangelical political thought, giving a more nuanced understanding of how American evangelicals have acted politically over the past decades. These essential articles provide insight into our current situation and preserve the wrestling and wisdom of the past for the benefit of the future.

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Book SynopsisFrom the co-authors of the New York Times-bestselling Start-Up Nation: The Story of Israel's Economic Miracle comes the highly anticipated follow-up, The Genius of Israel, breaking down the defining factors behind Israel's successful trajectory of innovation and explaining how other nations can learn from its development.

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Book Synopsis'Profoundly powerful not only in observations and stories, but in how courageously and carefully it speaks to our present moment' Madeleine Thien, Guardian Over three years, journalist and novelist Ben Ehrenreich travelled to the West Bank's largest cities and smallest villages, and stayed with the Palestinian families who live there. Here, he weaves together the stories of these women, men and children: the extremes to which they are pushed, the daily absurdities and tragedies they face, and the strategies they construct to survive. What follows is a testimony, a provocation, and an unflinching act of witness. 'I am gripped... Ehrenreich lived with many of those he writes about, and so his story is wonderfully intimate... I feel more like I'm involved in a pacey novel than struggling to swallow yet more unpalatable truths' Observer 'The myriad ordeals suffered by the Palestinian people during the last eighty years are minutely reported here. It's a chronicle of their daily lives. Read it! It recognises and respects hope' John Berger 'Capture[s] events unfolding on the West Bank with sympathy and restraint' Colm Tóibín, Irish TimesTrade ReviewPowerful... Palestinian lives matter to Ehrenreich, and he writes about them from the bottom-up, with hard-boiled lyricism, novelistic intimacy and a revolutionary's sense of urgency. [This] is more than a work of journalism. It is a freedom song, burning with humanity... Heartbreaking and joyful -- Adam ShatzA chillingly beautiful, albeit heartbreaking, chronicle of Palestinian life in the West Bank. It's written with immense empathy, but is equally grounded, and urgently real -- Yasmine El Rashidi * Guardian *The myriad ordeals suffered by the Palestinian people during the last eighty years are minutely reported here. It's a chronicle of their daily lives. Read it! It recognises and respects hope -- John BergerBen Ehrenreich's rendition of the Palestinian experience is powerful, deep and heartbreaking, so much closer to the ground than the Middle East reporting we usually see. I wish there were more writers as brave -- Adam Hochschild, author * To End All Wars: A Story of Loyalty and Rebellion, 1914-1918 *An astonishing book. And that's shocking in itself: Ben Ehrenreich takes a detailed, up-close look at the lives of people whose ordeal, though relentless, remains, most of the time, just below the radar of our governments and mass media. We generally pride ourselves on our willingness to speak for the disadvantaged, but remain truculent and evasive in the case of Palestinians. There can be no more excuses, if The Way to the Spring is given the widespread attention it deserves, for such uncharacteristic moral cowardice -- Robert WyattI loved The Way To The Spring. Ehrenreich is excellent on the nuances of suffering and survival. The book is to be read with acceptance, subtlety and an open mind - just as it was written -- BidishaSo much has been written about the occupation of the Palestinian territories by Israel but rarely with such vividness, eloquence and success in illuminating complex historical and political realities. The Way to the Spring is a superbly intelligent, informative and critical book about one of the fundamental issues of our time -- Raja ShehadehWritten with fire in the belly and a hawk's eye for the telling fact. The Way to the Spring is an unforgettable read but not an easy one, full of uncomfortable and inconvenient truths. Ehrenreich's great talent is for testimony; the individual human stories that disrupt gross injustice by asking questions about morality, legality and the actual historical record. Ehrenreich's non-fiction debut is a powerful and unwavering pursuit of the through-lines of freedom -- Rachel HolmesMr Ehrenreich did not set out to write an objective book; he does not even think it is possible. This is simply a description, details [...] of what the facts on the ground look like if you are one of a particular group of Palestinians in the West Bank. It should be read by friends and foes of Israel alike * Economist *

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Book SynopsisThe first major book on the uprisings in Iran in 2022 and 2023Trade Review'A document of real optimism, and a thoughtful examination of the layers of work on which political change is built.' Guardian'The question on many policymakers’ lips at the moment is: "What does Iran want?" In the past few weeks the regime has launched missile strikes on Iraq, Syria and Pakistan … But this book by the Iranian-American historian Arash Azizi seeks to answer a different question — what do Iranians want?' The Times'In What Iranians Want, Arash Azizi achieves what has eluded many historians and journalists. His retelling of historical events is precise, illuminating, while his narrative style stays informal and accessible. What Iranians Want is an important achievement and a great addition to the rich library on modern Iran.' Maziar Bahari, author of Then They Came For Me'Deeply moving, thoughtful and thought-provoking, What Iranians Want is a homage to the Iranian people, especially women, and their struggles for life and freedom.' Azar Nafisi, author of Reading Lolita in Tehran'Iran is an enigma for many people, not least because the Western media usually only scratches the surface of this multi-layered society. Arash Azizi’s book is a guide for the perplexed. Not only does he deliver on the promise that the book’s title suggests, but he also goes beyond that by trying to explain "why" Iranians are fighting for women’s rights, freedom of expression, peace…and a "normal life". A truly absorbing and enlightening book for general readers and scholars alike!' Erfan Sabeti, editorial board member, Aasoo.org‘This passionate book… the author lays out the situation in a cleareyed manner, and readers will leave with a deeper understanding of Iran’s historical and current circumstances… In a brave, disturbing book, Azizi exposes the nature of the Iranian regime and applauds the courage of its opponents.’ Kirkus Reviews'We’re told history is written by the victors – if that’s the case, the Iranian people will win out. Arash Azizi’s new book is a passionate and urgent examination of the Women, Life, Freedom movement. Azizi lays out how this movement is a culmination of events – years of the Iranian people beating back and rising above their oppressors. Not only does Azizi study the root causes of the movement, but he shows people who are yearning to be who they are, who are standing firm in their ancient history, determined to save their country, even as they retain and celebrate their diversity. This is required reading.' Neda Toloui-Semnani, author of They Said They Wanted Revolution: A Memoir of My Parents‘An Iranian in exile, Azizi reveals his love for home and country in this exposé that supports the protest movement as much as it takes a critical stance… With insider insights into the Iranian protests for freedom and dignity, What Iranians Want declares love for people who refuse to cower.’ Foreword Reviews‘A popular book that addresses an authoritarian, possibly totalitarian regime, in the Middle East is a welcome addition to the field… this book decentralised the story of Iran away from the West.’ History With Jackson

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Book SynopsisThe Catholic Church has been nearly destroyed by its resistance to change, censured for its abuses. Pope Francis has promised reform: radical theologian Hans Küng here presents what Catholics have long been yearning for: modern responses to the challenges of a modern world.In 1962 the Second Vatican Council met in the hope they could, in the words of Pope John XXIII, open the windows of the Church and let some fresh air in.' Hans Küng and Joseph Ratzinger, the future pope, were both there.In Can We Save the Catholic Church? Kung relates how after fifty years the Church has only grown more conservative. Refusing to open dialogue on celibacy for priests; the role of women in the priesthood; homosexuality; or the use of contraception even to prevent AIDS, the Papacy has lost touch. Now, amid widespread disillusion over child abuse, the future of Catholicism is in crisis.Pope Francis seems sincere in his wish for a more compassionate Church. The time is ripe for reform, and here Küng callsTrade Review‘An impassioned critique of the centrist-absolutist DNA of the Catholic Church’ New Statesman “It is such an easy and accessible read, and at the same time it is a marvellous synthesis of the problems facing the Church at present. It shows how much he cares for the Church and for the Christian message.” Fr Tony Flannery, C.Ss.R.Founder of the Association of Catholic Priests Can we save the Catholic Church? has both authority and authenticity. Küng’s authorship is its own guarantee of impeccable scholarship and research. Working within the Catholic framework, his expertise and vast learning support his suggestions for examination and reform. British readers will, perhaps, reflect that the full title of the Opposition in the UK Government is that of the ‘Loyal Opposition’: disagreement is not necessarily disloyalty. It is this very quality which differentiates Can we save the Catholic Church? from the many books which can only be described as ‘Catholic-bashing’. This book makes for frequently uncomfortable reading, but it is worth noting that Küng has submitted a copy to Pope Francis, who has promised to read it. It calls for the Church to embrace the spirit and teachings of Vatican II and fits into the time-honoured framework allotted to Catholic academics who, sometimes at personal cost, strive to make the Gospel meaningful and relevant in their own society. Sr Janet Fearns FMDM This latest book is incisive and sharp; it is also a very accessible read. He examines, over a text running to some 350 pages, the historical background detail that precedes our present circumstances. He honestly confronts the Church as it is and yet lays out a future that continues the Gospel mission of the Church if only we recognise our present reality and respond to it. Chris McDonnell, retired headteacher and member of A Call to Action UK.

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Book SynopsisPolitics that Unite Rather than DividePolitics can be infuriating. From unjust policies to unholy politicians, there are justifiable reasons to be upset or walk away altogether. Yet we must stay involved if we are to protect and sustain our fragile nation from the divisions that threaten it. With more than two decades of experience working in the highest levels of government, insider Denise Grace Gitsham offers a remedy to America''s dark political reality: Christians filled with light, love, and Christ''s heart for unity. With spiritual insights, hard-earned political lessons, and practical advice, she helps you engage with wisdom and discernment, loving those you disagree with while standing firm on God''s truth.As citizens of heaven, we can engage in politics God''s way: with the countercultural love, integrity, and unity that will heal our land.'Denise Grace Gitsham reminds us that our convictions should never come before the divine

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Book SynopsisReligious scholars and leaders engage in a nonpartisan letter-writing campaign following the 2021 Presidential inauguration. In the aftermath of the 2016 presidential election, biblical scholar Andrea L. Weiss and graphic designer Lisa M. Weinberger teamed up to create Values & Voices, a national nonpartisan campaign that used letters and social media to highlight core American values connected to our diverse religious traditions. The result was American Values, Religious Voices: 100 Days, 100 Letters, a collection of one hundred letters written by some of America's most accomplished and thoughtful scholars of religion interspersed with original artwork during the first one hundred days of the Trump presidency. In 2021, Weiss and Weinberger invited religious scholars and leaders to address President Biden, Vice President Harris, and members of the 117th Congress in their national letter writing and social media campaign. During the first 100 days of the Biden administration, religious leaders from across the country and from a range of religious denominations once again sent one letter a day to elected leaders in Washington. These letters bring an array of religious texts and teachings to bear on our most pressing contemporary issues. Arranged chronologically, the 2021 edition features 59 returning letter writers and 42 new scholars, new artwork, original essays, and and a new section focused on putting the letters into practice by using them for teaching, preaching, meditative practice, civic activism, and more. An alternate table of contents arranged by core values that emerged in the letters over the 100 days allows for thematic reading.Trade Review“The letters in this remarkable collection, written by religious scholars representing Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, and Sikh traditions, remind us of fundamental American values sorely threatened today, as our nation is riven by deep socio-political divisions. . . . A clarion call, not only to our leaders in Washington, but to us ‘the people,’ to enact the values that have made our nation a beacon of promise—freedom, justice, hospitality, tolerance, respect, and equal rights for all people. Their call is both timely and urgent.” * William Madges, Xavier University *

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Book SynopsisDetailed and impeccably researched. Eye-opening'' GUARDIANPunchy and well-reported. Sommer is the perfect person to tell this story'' NEW YORK TIMES''The expert on America's right-wing fringe With kidnappings, murders, and Satanic rituals, this is a story so bizarre, only Will Sommer could report it' AtlanticFor the followers of QAnon, the idea that Donald Trump was anointed by God to stop a depraved deep state government that sexually abuses, kills and eats children is an unquestionable fact. But how did a conspiracy theory from the dark side of the internet convince millions across the world to believe the unbelievable? Who are these people? And more importantly, what do they want?Investigative journalist Will Sommer dives head-first into QAnon: the great American conspiracy with global consequences. With first-hand access to leading figures in the Q movement, Sommer examines how the internet has radicalised politics, threatened democracy, and inspired insurrection and assassination

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Book SynopsisRabbi Sacks'' thesis on the future of British society and the dangers facing liberal democracy. With a new foreword by Daniel Finkelstein.Arguing that global communications have fragmented national cultures and that multiculturalism, intended to reduce social frictions, is today reinforcing them, Sacks argues for a new approach to national identity, making the case for integrated diversity within a framework of shared political values.Britain, he argues, will have to construct a national narrative as a basis for identity, reinvigorate the concept of the common good, and identify shared interests among currently conflicting groups. It must restore a culture of civility, protect neutral spaces from politicization, and find ways of moving beyond an adversarial culture in which the loudest voice wins. He argues for a responsibility- rather than rights-based model of citizenship that connects the ideas of giving and belonging.Offering a new paradigm

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Book Synopsis'Shocking, heartfelt and well-researched' New Statesman'A ground-shaping book that defines the edge of so many vital contemporary debates. Hers is a voice simultaneously behind and beyond the veil' Colum McCann'A fascinating, can't-look-away, whistle-stop tour of the Middle East' Daily Telegraph'Brave and impassioned . . . A shocking book, and one that will make anyone who has seen veiling as a cultural issue think very hard about what is really going on' Mail on SundayHeadscarves and Hymens explodes the myth that we should stand back and watch while women are disempowered and abused in the name of religion. In this laceratingly honest account, Eltahawy takes aim both at attitudes in the Middle East and at the western liberals who mistake misogyny for cultural difference. Her argument is clear: unless political revolution in the Arab world is accompanied by social and sexual revolution, no progress will be made.Headscarves and Hymens is the book the world has been crying out for: a powerful, fearless account of what it really means to be a woman in the Muslim world. 'A fascinating, can't-look-away, whistle-stop tour of the Middle East' Daily Telegraph'Brave and impassioned . . . A shocking book, and one that will make anyone who has seen veiling as a cultural issue think very hard about what is really going on' Mail on Sunday Trade ReviewSo we have a winner for book-title of 2015 @monaeltahawy's 'Headscarves & Hymens - Why the Middle East Needs a Sexual Revolution.' BRAVO -- Caitlin MoranNow Eltahawy has written this fearless roar-to-arms, which sets her own experiences - including how she was groped while on Hajj in Mecca - alongside those of dozens of other women. She illustrates the misogynistic and sometimes downright barbaric attitudes towards women in the Arab world; from the Hobson's Choice of the hijab and the Saudi cleric who declared that women shouldn't drive because it damages their ovaries; to FGM and Rawan, the eight-year-old Yemeni "bride", who died of internal bleeding after being violently penetrated on her "wedding night". Sometimes we need books that will make us angry enough to want to change things. This book will certainly disturb you, and possibly make you very angry indeed - but you must read it. -- Caroline Sanderson * THE BOOKSELLER - Editor's Choice Book of the Month *Shocking, heartfelt and well-researched * NEW STATESMAN *This feisty Egyptian lady made headlines after she was arrested by police, beaten and sexually assaulted in 2011 during the Egyptian revolution. Her subsequent article for Foreign Policy magazine, Why Do They Hate Us?, was a no-holds barred attack on the treatment of women in many Arab countries. "When it comes to the status of women in the Middle East," she wrote, "it's not better than you think. It is much, much worse" -- Camilla Cavendish * SUNDAY TIMES *'Headscarves and Hymens is an impassioned, deeply felt and affecting memoir that confronts a very real problem. -- Tahmima Anim * THE TIMES *Brave and impassioned . . . A shocking book, and one that will make anyone who has seen veiling as a cultural issue think very hard about what is really going on * MAIL ON SUNDAY *Inequality, state brutality, resentment, sexual frustration, religious indoctrination, shame culture and struggle for power . . . Eltahawy holds a match to this combustible mix . . . A brave call for gender equality * GUARDIAN *(What are you currently reading?) Headscarves and Hymens by Mona Eltahawy. I was lucky enough to interview Mona recently and she is enormously inspiring and very, very funny. -- Laura Bates * THE INDEPENDENT *This is a fascinating, can't-look-away, whistle-stop tour of the Middle East through the eyes of an angry but lucid observer. Eltahawy is brave as well as perceptive: her reports cause outrage and controversy. She blames the West as much as Middle Eastern attitudes for the lack of change, especially Western liberals who criticise imperialism and yet turn a blind eye to the cultural imperialism that doesn't push misogyny to the fore, as if there might time to sort that out later when more important matters have been "fixed". -- Viv Groskop * DAILY TELEGRAPH *This a call to arms against misogyny in the Arab world is furiously plain-speaking. -- Viv Groskop * SUNDAY TELEGRAPH *To Eltahawy, the root of this inequality is clear: "a toxic mix of culture and religion", particularly Islam, and more particularly the spread of its ultra-conservative Saudi-style interpretation. -- Rachel Aspden * THE GUARDIAN *Overall, however, it is the oscillation between the personal and the political that makes Headscarves and Hymens a tour de force...Sometimes we need books that will make us angry enough to want to change things. This courageous book will certainly disturb you, and may make you very angry indeed. But you still must read it. -- Caroline Sanderson * MSLEXIA *Headscarves and Hymens is less a call to arms and more a protracted bellow for equality, progress and common sense. -- Anakana Schofield * IRISH TIMES *This book should be made compulsory reading in all those schools where British Muslim girls are being groomed to go abroad to be Islamic State brides. Eltahawy is laceratingly honest about how hard it has been for her as an Arab Muslim woman to confront the institutional misogyny of her culture, to free herself of the "taboos and silence". Only when there has been a revolution in the relations between the sexes, she insists, will there ever be genuine political change in the Middle East. -- Daisy Goodwin * MAIL ON SUNDAY *Headscarves and Hymens is useful for those who are new to the situation in the Middle East, as it's a good overview of the main social issues affecting the region. * NEW INTERNATIONALIST *This is a timely and provocative call to action for gender equality in the Middle East * PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY (USA) *Eltahawy's passionately argued case is irrefutable. But how to harness this rage to achieve real political change remains the unanswered question. * SYDNEY MORNING HERALD (Australia) *In her debut book, Egyptian-American journalist and commentator Eltahawy mounts an angry indictment of the treatment of women throughout the Arab world. * KIRKUS REVIEWS (USA) *This is a ground-shaping book that defines the edge of so many vital contemporary debates. Hers is a voice simultaneously behind and beyond the veil. -- Colum McCannThis a powerful global feminist demand for equal rights. -- Vanessa Bush * BOOKLIST (USA) *Headscarves and Hymens is a call to arms by a woman who's plainly proud of her justified rage. She brings to mind those angry, outspoken women in the 1970s who were branded "strident" feminists - the ones who yelled, who offended, but who generated change. "It is the job of a revolution to shock, to provoke, and to upset," Eltahawy writes, "not to behave or be polite." Mission accomplished. -- Marcia Kaye * TORONTO STAR (Canada) *Mona Eltahawy brings a journalist's keen eye, a revolutionary's prophetic courage, and a feminist's incendiary intellect to this work, demolishing the last cultural relativist myths. And she writes so well that it's hard to put down this audacious, information-packed treasure about the half of the Arab world that's female. Miss this book-the real key to the Middle East-at your peril. -- Robin MorganHeadscarves and Hymens is timely, important and much needed. It should be translated into many languages, especially those spoken in the Middle East. Eltahawy encourages the girls of the Middle East and North Africa to be "immodest, rebel and disobey" and know they are entitled to be free. Her book deserves to be widely read, discussed and acclaimed. -- Elif Shafak * LITERARY REVIEW *A passionate and brilliantly argued polemic....When I put down Eltahawy's deeply affecting book, I felt that a bit more Enlightenment universalism is in order. Instead of bellyaching when some idiotic man calls a woman "dear" or a hideous professor sends his student a creepy email, feminists should wake up and recognise the cruel, systematic violence that millions of women still face throughout the world. -- Jane O'Grady * THE TABLET *Informative and engaging, a brave and much needed insight into suffering which is rarely talked about openly. * THE F WORD *

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Book Synopsis''This acutely argued book will engender a thousand conversations'' Cynthia OzickThe prescient New York Times writer delivers an urgent wake-up call exposing the alarming rise of anti-semitism -- and explains what we can do to defeat itOn 27 October 2018 Bari Weiss''s childhood synagogue in Pittsburgh became the site of the deadliest attack on Jews in American history. For most of us, the massacre came as a total shock. But to those who have been paying attention, it was only a more violent, extreme expression of the broader trend that has been sweeping Europe and the United States for the past two decades.No longer the exclusive province of the far right and far left, anti-Semitism finds a home in identity politics, in the renewal of ''America first'' isolationism and in the rise of one-world socialism. An ancient hatred increasingly allowed into modern political discussion, anti-Semitism has been migrating toward the mainstream in dangeTrade ReviewHer childhood synagogue in Pittsburgh was the site of last year's Shabbat morning massacre. This passionate, vividly written, regularly insightful book is her pained, fighting * Guardian *A brave book. . . . a praiseworthy and concise brief against modern-day anti-Semitism * The New York Times *This acutely argued book will engender a thousand conversations -- Cynthia OzickThey said 'Never Again', yet here we are again. Bari Weiss' neat exposition of modern anti-Semitism traces this hate to what I call 'the triple threat': the far-left, the far-right, and Islamist theocrats. Jews are the canary in the coal mine. And if our Jewish friends are raising the alarm, we'd all better hear them, before it's too late -- Maajid NawazThis is the most important book you will read this year. Concise, morally certain, it's a bullet train from the first sentence to the last. There needs to be a copy in every classroom in the country. If you think something dark is rising, you're right. What can you do? This is what you do -- Caitlin Flanagan, author of To Hell With All ThatWhile European anti-Semitism has put Jews in mortal danger for too long, the 'shining city upon a hill' -- America -- has descended into this same toxic darkness. Bari Weiss's book is a powerful wake-up call against complacency and should push all free-thinkers on both sides of the Atlantic to take a stand against new guises of the oldest form of hate in the world -- Bernard-Henri Lévy, author of The Empire and the Five KingsHow to Fight Anti-Semitism is violently stunning. It broke my heart-and then made me want to repair someone else's. In these pages and everywhere else, Bari Weiss is heroic, fearless, brilliant and great-hearted. Most importantly, she is right -- Lisa Taddeo, author of Three WomenUrgent, frank and fearless. There is something here to offend everyone - because there is something here to awaken everyone -- Rabbi David Wolpe, author of David: The Divided HeartA liberal humanist whose guiding principle is free expression in art, love, and discourse. . . Weiss's work is heterodox, defying easy us/them, left/right categorization * Vanity Fair *Weiss's book feels like one long, soul-wrenching letter, written in a charmingly accessible style by a proud American reeling from the realization that the haters are on the rise * Jewish Chronicle *

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Book SynopsisCHOICE Outstanding Academic Title, 2022 To better understand current events and threats, this book outlines the organizations and beliefs of domestic terrorists in the United States and how to counter their attacks on American democracy. Who are the American citizensWhite nationalists and militant Islamistsperpetrating acts of terrorism against their own country? What are their grievances and why do they hate? How can this transnational peril be effectively addressed? Homegrown Hate is a groundbreaking and deeply researched work that directly compares White nationalists and militant Islamists in the United States. In this timely book, scholar and holistic justice activist Sara Kamali examines these Americans' self-described beliefs, grievances, and rationales for violence, and details their organizational structures within a transnational context. She presents compelling insight into the most pressing threat to homeland security not only in the United States, but in nations across Trade Review"Eerily prescient. . . . Kamali rebuts the idea that 'lone wolves' drive terrorism and focuses on a comparative analysis of the White nationalist and militant Islamist groups that can drive it. She examines their aims, beliefs, tactics, rhetoric, organizational structures, and influencers, such as the Oath Keepers, Osama bin Laden, Dylann Roof, neo-Nazis, and Timothy McVeigh." * Kirkus Reviews *"The literature on White nationalists and militant Islamists gains an important new entry examining the reasons for acts of terrorism perpetrated by American citizens against the United States. . . . Homegrown Hate's comparative approach allows for a nuanced and complex discussion which not only puts religion at the center of the analysis, but is clear in its assertion that to reduce the activity of terrorists solely to religious motivations ignores the interplay of various social and political factors, reminding the reader that even those who share these corrupted beliefs do not engage in acts of terrorism." * Ethnic and Racial Studies * "Overall, Homegrown Hate is a valuable up-to-date resource not only for scholars and policymakers but for anyone who is looking to gain an in-depth understanding of current security threats and political violence facing the United States and many other countries around the world. . . . The book is a significant contribution to the field- deeply informative and written in an engaging manner." * European Center for Populism Studies *"A must-read for students, academics, journalists and, in particular, policy-makers and actors in security bureaucracy, who are interested in White nationalism, domestic terrorism and counterterrorism in the USA." * Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations *"Homegrown Hate is a model of innovative scholarship. . . . Readers interested in a new perspective on the topic of religion and white nationalism will appreciate her work, as well those interested in media, comparative social movements, and religion and criminology. Finally, those seeking new models of scholarship will find Kamali’s approach to surfacing similarities between two groups who see themselves in a cosmic battle to be an invigorating challenge to how studies of religion are often done." * Reading Religion *"Homegrown Hate is disturbing, yet it is one of the most important new books detailing domestic extremists available today." * CHOICE *"An incisive study. . . . For anyone interested in the full complexities of homegrown hate and case studies that highlight the problems and principles within each movement, the book is highly recommended." * Populism *Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Introduction. Empathizing with the Enemy: The Threat Within Part One. Who They Are 1. The Fourteen Words: The Racist Beliefs of White Nationalists 2. Loyalty and Disavowal: The Exclusionary Ideology of Militant Islamists Part Two. Why They Fight 3. #WhiteGenocide: Grievances of White Nationalists 4. The Crusades Redux: Grievances of Militant Islamists Part Three. What They Want 5. (RA)HOWA: (Re)Claiming the United States through (Racial) Holy War 6. America the Beautiful: Establishing a White Ethnostate or Constructing a Caliphate 7. Encouraging the End of Days: The Apocalyptic Rhetoric of Political Violence 8. The Myth of the Lone Wolf: Joining Virtual Packs Online Part Four. What Can Be Done Conclusion. Securing the Homeland: Counterterrorism and the Need for Holistic Justice Notes Selected Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisThe Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh leverages social reconstruction efforts to benefit the Bharatiya Janata Party by appealing to a wide Indian audience through technology and inclusivity. Mobilizing marginalized groups, they shape Hindu nationalism to secure BJP votes, reshaping Indian democracy through strategic appropriation and social work.

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Book SynopsisWhy the pundits want to spread a myth about the death of faith, particularly in Britain.Trade Review“A stimulatingly counter-intuitive take on the state of British Christianity, this should be read by anyone - believer or non-believer - who is interested in the future of religion in Britain.” -- Tom Holland, author of Rubicon and Millennium“This book offers a timely word of encouragement to British Christians and a robust challenge to the narrative of church decline … Anyone who has been enticed by the story of the decline of British Christianity will be forced to review their evidence and their assumptions.” -- Dr Jonathan Chaplin, Director of the Kirby Laing Institute for Christian Ethics, Tyndale House, Cambridge“This small book raises big questions that need to be addressed. You will find in these pages provocative and challenging analysis. Have a read and then join the debate!” -- Dr Krish Kandiah, President of the London School of TheologyTable of ContentsContentsAcknowledgments 9Preface 11Introduction: Who Says the Church is Dying? 131. Green Shoots 272. There’s Life in the Old Dogs Yet 413. Squaring the Circle: Understanding the Figures 554. The Church in Public Life 735. Service and Power 956. Religion and Violence 1097. Who is the Enemy of Progress? 1238. Re-embracing the Church 1439. A Change of Perspective 163Notes 173

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Book Synopsis''Witty, knowledgeable and mind-expanding'' RICHARD FISHER ''A joyful romp'' TOM HARFORD ''A fun and inspiring teaser for curious minds'' JÉRÉMIE HARRISEvery so often, a new idea comes along that changes everything. Vaccinations. Relativity. Fascism. Can we imagine a world before the invention of writing? What would Christianity have looked like without with a concept of hell? Sometimes these ideas come along suddenly: Copernicus suggesting the earth revolves around the sun; Gutenberg''s printing press, Darwin''s theory of evolution. Sometimes they evolve over generations: the institution of marriage; the development of animal husbandry; the understanding of genetics. Either way, once the idea gains a foothold, nothing is the same again.This fascinating little book tells the stories behind 150 revolutionary concepts and explains why they are important. Taken from the realms of science, politics, society, religion and technology, these are the big ideas that Trade ReviewA joyful romp through the history of civilisation, full of snackable curiosities.Like fitting an elephant into a thimble, Jonny Thomson manages to cram some of the world's biggest, grandest ideas into only a few hundred words. Witty, knowledgeable and mind-expanding. -- Richard Fisher, author of THE LONG VIEWWho knew that the biggest ideas in the universe could fit in such a small package? Mini Big Ideas is a delightful introduction to some of the most profound discoveries and open questions in science and philosophy. A fun and inspiring teaser for curious minds that will fit in your purse, or your man-purse, or whatever you use to carry stuff around with you. -- Jeremie Harris, author of QUANTUM PHYSICS MADE ME DO IT

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Book SynopsisThis book by one of today''s leading theologians examines how Christians might more faithfully and realistically imagine their political vocation.Ephraim Radner explains that our Christian calling is to limit our political concerns to the boundaries of our created lives: our birth, parents, siblings, families, brief persistence in life, raising of children, relations, decline, and death. He shows that a Christian approach to politics is aimed at tending and protecting these 'mortal goods' and argues for a more constrained view of our mortal life and our political duty than is common in both progressive and conservative Christian perspectives.Radner encourages us to take seriously what is most valuable in our lives and allow this to shape our social posture. Our vocation is to offer our limited life to God, give thanks for it, and glorify God by living our lives as a gift. Radner also shows how 'catastrophe' reveals our time to be fragile, bounded, and easily overtur

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Book SynopsisSenator James Lankford lives his faith with humility, grace, collegiality, and authenticity. In this book he adroitly puts his finger precisely on the key to change and revival in our country. The key is US. This book is both a challenge and a chance for us to reflect and act.CONGRESSMAN TREY GOWDYIn Hope for We, Senator James Lankford takes on the hard questions American's are asking every day as we question our future and the future of our country. It's time to let go of anger and fear and embrace the hope of what we could become. We have challenges, but we also have options. Where do we start?Senator James Lankford calls readers with experience, wisdom, and truth to encourage them to embrace responsibility and begin creating real change to turn our nation around. A nation is a reflection of its people, to change a nation, we have to change ourselves. Hope for We will teach readers how to seize leadership opportunities and find purpose and peace by cultivating change in our own families and communities. As we each embrace our calling and the genuine hope of what we could become as a nation, readers will feel confident recognizing a clear path forward for our great nation. It will take work, but it starts with letting go of anger and seeking purpose, joy, and hope for the future. In Hope for We, Senator James Lankford lets action speak louder than words a she implements the very skills and tools he's intent on teaching. Rather than criticizing, shifting blame, or despairing about the future of our nation, Senator Lankford provides practical ideas, inspiration, and a faith-filled attitude of hope and excitement about the path ahead and our ability to mold the future of our nation. Our nation reflects its people, not the other way around, and it's time to start building up our communities and seeking impactful solutions for the challenges we face. On a political shelf full of criticism and fear, Hope for We is a light of hope and encouragement not just for our country, but for each reader. It's a call to renew our personal faith and become the leaders our communities need.

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