Essence of the Islamist Revolution

This book traces the essence of the Islamist Revolution from its origins in Egypt, through Najaf, Lebanon, Iran and the Iranian Revolution to today. Alastair Crooke presents a compelling account of the ideas and energy which are mobilising the Islamic world. Crooke argues that the West faces a mass mobilisation against the US-led Western project. The roots of this conflict are described in terms of religious themes that extend back over 500 years. They represent clashing systems of thinking and values. Islamists have a vision for the future of their own societies which would entail radical change from Western norms. Resistance is presented as the means to force Western behaviour to change and to expose the essential differences between the two modes of thinking. This is a rigourous account that traces the threads of revolution of various movements, including the influence of 'political Shi'ism' and the Iranian Revolution and its impact on Hezbollah and Hamas. Crooke's mission in this erudite, and most readable, book is to reassure the White Folks in George Bush's America (and elsewhere in the world) that Hamas, Hezbollah and the seemingly menacing Islamic governments in Iran and elsewhere are not the enemies of the West. His mission is to educate us about the history and philosophy of the Islamic world, and its various factions. -- Seymour M. Hersh, the New Yorker magazin This book is required reading at a time when alternative perspectives on the causes of global terrorism and new Western diplomatic initiatives urgently need to replace the failed policies of the Bush administration-led 'War on Global Terrorism' -- John Esposito, University Professor, Georgetown UniversityForeword Acknowledgments Introduction Part I - Existential Threats Chapter One: In the Service of God and the Interests of the People Part II - Ideology of Revolution Chapter Two: The Awakening of Resistance Chapter Three: Political Shi'ism Chapter Four: Social Revolution Chapter Five: God is a Liberal Part III - Practising Resistance Chapter Six: A Culture of Willpower and Reason Chapter Seven: Refusing Subservience Part IV - Demonisation Chapter Eight: Resistance and the normalisation of Injustice Chapter Nine: The Nature of Power Conclusion Chapter Ten: The Limits to the Present Epilogue Notes Index