Description
Book SynopsisForty years after its foundation, Lebanese Hezbollah remains an organization difficult to understand. An Islamist terrorist group dedicated to destroying Israel or the first Arab national Resistance to have ever defeated Tel-Aviv's troops, a patriotic and respectable party or a fascist network having managed to control all levers of Lebanese political life...what exactly is Hezbollah? How did it acquire such an important role in the Middle-Eastern game and in Lebanese politics? This book has three purposes. It first gives an articulated definition of Hezbollah, presenting a thorough history of the party, describing its well-built internal structure, and the large scope of its social and political action. It then explains the evolution of the party's mobilization. Finally, it illustrates another path, political but mainly identity-related, that of the Shiite community, today the main constituent of Lebanese society. Through a rigorous and richly documented study, mainly based on primary sources, amongst which hundreds of interviews with rank and file members, executives and officials of the party, and research material never examined before, the author unveils brand new aspects of this organization, thus completing, in a clear and efficient manner, our understanding of both the "Hezbollah phenomenon" and Lebanese politics of the last two decades.
Trade Review‘The definitive English-language academic resource on the Lebanese Shi’a group Hezbollah … A triumph of research, this work is highly recommended reading for anyone curious about Lebanese politics.’ -- CHOICE
‘[Daher’s] book offers a comprehensive historical and sociological analysis that stands out for its wealth of empirical detail and for its capacity to question stereotypical views on [Hezbollah].’ -- International Affairs
'Daher dispels a number of myths: that Hezbollah would be a state within a Lebanese state or that its principal goal is Islamic rule. Daher redefines the roles we traditionally attribute to Hezbollah, mouthpiece for the Shiite community, and dwells on its partners' or adversaries' perceptions of its activities. Offers a very complete picture.' * Le Monde Diplomatique *
‘Daher offers unprecedented detail on Hezbollah’s structure’. -- The Arab Weekly
'A long-awaited book, which turns the body of literature on Hezbollah on its head. From now on it will be impossible to study Lebanon's "Party of God" without taking into account the findings exposed in this groundbreaking volume.' -- Bernard Rougier, Professor of Arab Civilisation, Université Sorbonne-Nouvelle and author of 'Everyday Jihad'
'Daher shares exceptional insights into the origins, structure, leadership and popularity of Hezbollah. This book is admirable for its nuance and richness of detail about the contention for power amongst Shi'i figures, and the party's central role in resistance to Israel. I highly recommend it.' -- Augustus Richard Norton, Professor Emeritus, Boston University and author of 'Hezbollah: A Short History'
'An encyclopaedic effort at writing what is arguably the richest and most rigorous account of Hezbollah's political history. It presents previously uncovered information on the genesis of the movement, challenging prevailing accounts. This is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the party.' -- Bashir Saade, Lecturer of Religion and Politics, University of Stirling and author of 'Hizbullah and the Politics of Remembrance: Writing the Lebanese Nation'
'Brilliant, original and engaging, this book is essential reading for generalists and specialists alike.' -- Dale F. Eickelman, Ralph and Richard Lazarus Professor of Anthropology and Human Relations Emeritus, Dartmouth College and co-author of 'Muslim Politics'
