Of more interest as sociology than as a study in the social psychology of terrorism.
A social scientist examines the lives of three Canadian Muslims who left their prairie homes to join the jihad.
Soufi, a Muslim convert, attended school with the subjects of his study, members of a community who, after 9/11, became increasingly radicalized even as the most moderate members of that community came under suspicion of terrorism. The three disappeared from Winnipeg in 2007; with their disappearance, one friend remarks to Soufi, “they left a mess.” In a narrative that often reads as an academic report, though with plenty of human interest, Soufi looks at that mess through a geopolitical lens: Thanks to the prominence of the “clash of civilizations” thesis at the time, North American Muslims were viewed as the Other even as political leaders rushed to declare that Muslims were part of the “good” civilization as long as they supported its aims. The result, Soufi holds, was “a community tragically caught in the crossfire of an unprecedented and aberrant type of global war—one without borders and without clearly defined enemies.” Suspicion deepened when the three young men disappeared, two to fall victim to U.S. drone attacks, the other captured and, because born in the United States, now serving a life sentence in a Supermax prison. Soufi observes that during his trial the presiding judge made every apparent effort to avoid conflating Islam at large with its militant practitioners, yet that connection still comes through because of “subtle and often unconscious slippages between what constitutes the radical and moderate Muslim.” Although a greater threat to domestic safety comes from the white supremacist right, Soufi argues, North American Muslims continue to live under a shadow, all the more so, he says, after Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel.
Of more interest as sociology than as a study in the social psychology of terrorism.Pub Date: Feb. 4, 2025
ISBN: 9781479832262
Page Count: 272
Publisher: New York Univ.
Review Posted Online: Nov. 23, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2025
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.
A compendium of charts, time lines, lists and illustrations to accompany study of the Bible.
This visually appealing resource provides a wide array of illustrative and textually concise references, beginning with three sets of charts covering the Bible as a whole, the Old Testament and the New Testament. These charts cover such topics as biblical weights and measures, feasts and holidays and the 12 disciples. Most of the charts use a variety of illustrative techniques to convey lessons and provide visual interest. A worthwhile example is “How We Got the Bible,” which provides a time line of translation history, comparisons of canons among faiths and portraits of important figures in biblical translation, such as Jerome and John Wycliffe. The book then presents a section of maps, followed by diagrams to conceptualize such structures as Noah’s Ark and Solomon’s Temple. Finally, a section on Christianity, cults and other religions describes key aspects of history and doctrine for certain Christian sects and other faith traditions. Overall, the authors take a traditionalist, conservative approach. For instance, they list Moses as the author of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) without making mention of claims to the contrary. When comparing various Christian sects and world religions, the emphasis is on doctrine and orthodox theology. Some chapters, however, may not completely align with the needs of Catholic and Orthodox churches. But the authors’ leanings are muted enough and do not detract from the work’s usefulness. As a resource, it’s well organized, inviting and visually stimulating. Even the most seasoned reader will learn something while browsing.
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2005
ISBN: 978-1-5963-6022-8
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
A powerful reiteration of principles—and some fresh ideas—from the longest-serving independent in congressional history.
Another chapter in a long fight against inequality.
Building on his Fighting Oligarchy tour, which this year drew 280,000 people to rallies in red and blue states, Sanders amplifies his enduring campaign for economic fairness. The Vermont senator offers well-timed advice for combating corruption and issues a robust plea for national soul-searching. His argument rests on alarming data on the widening wealth gap’s impact on democracy. Bolstered by a 2010 Supreme Court decision that removed campaign finance limits, “100 billionaire families spent $2.6 billion” on 2024 elections. Sanders focuses on the Trump administration and congressional Republicans, describing their enactment of the “Big Beautiful Bill,” with its $1 trillion in tax breaks for the richest Americans and big social safety net cuts, as the “largest transfer of wealth” in living memory. But as is his custom, he spreads the blame, dinging Democrats for courting wealthy donors while ignoring the “needs and suffering” of the working class. “Trump filled the political vacuum that the Democrats created,” he writes, a resonant diagnosis. Urging readers not to surrender to despair, Sanders offers numerous legislative proposals. These would empower labor unions, cut the workweek to 32 hours, regulate campaign spending, reduce gerrymandering, and automatically register 18-year-olds to vote. Grassroots supporters can help by running for local office, volunteering with a campaign, and asking educators how to help support public schools. Meanwhile, Sanders asks us “to question the fundamental moral values that underlie” a system that enables “the top 1 percent” to “own more wealth than the bottom 93 percent.” Though his prose sometimes reads like a transcribed speech with built-in applause lines, Sanders’ ideas are specific, clear, and commonsensical. And because it echoes previous statements, his call for collective introspection lands as genuine.
A powerful reiteration of principles—and some fresh ideas—from the longest-serving independent in congressional history.Pub Date: Oct. 21, 2025
ISBN: 9798217089161
Page Count: 160
Publisher: Crown
Review Posted Online: Oct. 21, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2025
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