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Title details for Heirs to Forgotten Kingdoms by Gerard Russell - Available

Heirs to Forgotten Kingdoms

Journeys into the Disappearing Religions of the Middle East

by Gerard Russell
Michael Page
Audiobook
1 of 1 copy available
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1 of 1 copy available
Despite its reputation for religious intolerance, the Middle East has long sheltered many distinctive and strange faiths. These religions represent the last vestiges of the magnificent civilizations in ancient history: Persia, Babylon, and Egypt in the time of the pharaohs. Their followers have learned how to survive foreign attacks and the perils of assimilation. But today, with the Middle East in turmoil, they face greater challenges than ever before.

In Heirs to Forgotten Kingdoms, former diplomat Gerard Russell ventures to the distant, nearly impassable regions where these mysterious religions still cling to survival. He lives alongside the Mandaeans and Ezidis of Iraq, the Zoroastrians of Iran, the Copts of Egypt, and others. He learns their histories, participates in their rituals, and comes to understand the threats to their communities. Historically a tolerant faith, since the early twentieth century, Islam has witnessed the rise of militant, extremist sects. This development poses existential threats to these minority faiths. And as more and more of their youth flee to the West in search of greater freedoms and job prospects, these religions face the dire possibility of extinction.

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Awards

  • Release date

    January 13, 2015

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9781494528775
      • File size: 324070 KB
      • Duration: 11:15:08

  • Languages

    • English

  • Reviews

    • AudioFile Magazine
      This audiobook is different from most current books on the Middle East. Its focus is on ancient religions of the region that are trying to survive rather than on those that are in the news. It's as much a travelogue and anthropological study as it is a fascinating history. Michael Page's stately, formal British accent is reminiscent of informational programs on public television. This isn't a bad thing, but his voice doesn't rise above the facts to present a more compelling vision of the book. While it would have been better if he could have varied his pitch and tone more, he pronounces each word carefully and does a great job with the names and places. Overall, he speaks at a pace that allows listeners to ponder the book's broad ideas. R.I.G. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine
    • Publisher's Weekly

      Starred review from October 20, 2014
      This fascinating account of minority religions in the Middle East, many of which are threatened by increasingly turbulent political situations, is part travelogue and part scholarly overview. Russell, a former British diplomat in the region, uses his connections and experience as he travels in Syria, Lebanon, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, and several other places to meet members of religious minorities such as the Druze, the Copts, the Mandaeans, and the Samaritans, and to study their history and traditions. He outlines basic facts and beliefs in addition to showing resonances and similarities between the religious cultures. By tying modern practice to historical context, Russell provides a valuable briefing on the ancient and medieval history of the region. He also muses on the immediate future of each community, particularly with respect to political instability and immigration, and his cheerfully personal tone makes all this information lively. This important and enjoyable glimpse into little-considered religious dynamics of the Middle East deserves to be widely read and distributed.

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

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