The author presents a very scholarly work on the background of the Sunni/Shia split, Shia history, and the rise of Shia in the Middle East. He argues persuasively that the War in Iraq, among other things, has produced the unintended consequence of strengthening Shia power in the region. This includes Iran, Shia in Iraq, and Shia minorities in countries throughout the region. The author does believe however that the balance of power will eventually settle and a peace will result generally between the Sunni and Shia. This book is very instructive in describing the major leaders and groups involved in this power struggle. It is worthwhile for all who have an interest in the Middle East.

This is an excellent book which describes the fundamental
differences between the Shia and Sunnis. Antagonisms
existed between Shia and the Sunnis for over 1400 years.
The Sunni Islam had a Golden Age. Under the Umayyads,
the caliphs were both Caesar and a Pope delegating
authority to professional religious scholars.

Foes of Umayyads identify Ali (the Prophet's cousin)
as the Prophet's successor. The Sunnis believe that
the successor of the Prophet is the only leader of the
Islamic Community and not a deity or a prophetic calling.

Between 632 and 661, 4 caliphs ruled. They were Abu Bakr,
Uthman Ali, Uman and Rashidun. The Sunnis believe
"Better a 60 year tyranny than a single day of civil strife".

Shia imams are closer to the Iranians. They believe in
spreading cultural diversity and they've gained a foothold
in Iran, North Africa and Syria. Shia did well in Iraq
electing the first Shia state. The real power brokers
migrated to Iran which is now the largest Shia country.

There is a modern secular trend in Lebanon, Iran, Iraq
and Pakistan. Shia have migrated through Persia,
the Azeris-Turks and Azerbaijan in the Caspian Sea.

The Shia believe that the Prophet had special qualities,
He was without sin and could divine religious teachings.
The Sunnis are preoccupied with order in the society
at large. The Shia want the USA to commit to political
reform across the region. The USA can assist in this
process; however, the parties must cooperate fully in order
to advance the political agenda. The work has considerable
implications for mutual cooperation between the West and
Islam.

One of the most accessable books on Shia tradition and their place in current world events. This is an eye-opening book which explains many of the fallacies that are in the American media about the Iraq war.

If you want to understand the Sunnis and Al Qaeda, read Looming Tower. If you want to understand the Shias, read Shia Revival.

I have read perhaps 30 books on the Middle East, those two books really capture why what's going on is going on in the Middle East.

This book should be essential reading for anyone interested in current events.

This is an excellent book, summarizing the basis of the Shia religion and their differences with Sunni Islam. Tracing that conflict from the classical period of Islam to the modern one, Vali Nasr fills in the reader with a wealth of detail on what the Shia believe, and what their historical and political mindset is. Nasr also accurately predicts, I think, that the legacy of the U.S. Iraq occupation will largely be the balance of Sunni and Shia power in the region. Intentionally or not, that war and the war in Afghanistan clearly benefited Iran, eliminating threats to it in both countries. Vali Nasr's rhetoric does occasionally wax overly apologetic to Shia Islam, but on the whole I think he offers a penetrating and realistic insight to the situation in the Middle-East, especially regarding the conflicts of Shiism and Wahhabism. A commendable, and readable book.

Nasr's book was an excellent source for detailed information on the origins of the Sunni-Shia divide, their significance, and the current state of the Muslim world relating to the split. All the topics were covered well and the argument the book builds towards is powerful. Unfortunately, while most chapters felt fairly neutral and academic, Nasr's Iranian roots feel like they're coming through in places - some chapters feel like they have a strong pro-Shia bias in their phrasing/explanations. This doesn't impact the quality of the work enough that I would not suggest it as an introduction to the topics of Sunni-Shia relations and how they tie to recent events though.

In order to understand the people of the Middle East - you always have to try to understand their point of view or perspective. This book does a wonderful job of providing the perspective or view of the Shia. I will grant that the book obviously has a pro-Shia slant, but like most books written, the motive of the author as well as his background must be taken into account. However, just because this book offers a pro-Shia slant does not make the book any less valuable - because it does, in my opinion, attempt to provide an accurate portrayal of the Shia and how they view the world. In my opinion this is an incredibly valuable book to understand in order to participate in the many on-going debates about U.S. involvement in Iraq and the impact that our invasion of Iraq has had and still can have in the Middle East.
Highly Recommend - relatively quick read and easily understood.

A lot of history and subject matter is covered; many sections are quite dense (the writing style though does make it easy to move along quickly). In other words, I had to frequently re-read passages to keep up with the different names, dates, towns, etc. The author covers a lot of material that will be new to most non-Muslims, so get out your highlighter and pen to take notes. It is well worth it and very important.

This is an excellent and well written book about a complicated topic. It helped me understand the depth of rivalry between Sunni and Shia and the opportunities and pitfalls this now presents. As events are changing monthly this book should be updated for 2008. Again well worth the time for those with loved ones in Iraq or trying to fathom modern Iran.

The whole Islamic world looks strikingly different from a Shia perspective, and Nasr's presentation of that view offers vast scope for fresh thinking. His book is so packed with insight that it took me a month to consume it. It puts the Shia into focus as an important religious minority, concerned with minority rights, and devoted more to justice than legalism. It is a faith born in protest against tyranny, which has therefore been treated as a treasonous heresy by most autocratic rulers of the Middle East. Nasr gives a detailed account of Shia fortunes in nations from Lebanon to India. In the process he powerfully challenges a host of misconceptions which commonly cloud our view of modern events. For example:

"Expecting to have more rights and powers under the emerging order, Shias have welcomed both the fall of Sunni domination and the rise of prospects for political change. This makes them in principle more likely to work with the United States. Greater democracy serves Shia interests across the region, and hence Shia revival is favorably disposed toward democratic change. The Shia universe of discourse is now the site of the entire Muslim world's most interesting and thorough debates about Islam's relationship with democracy and economic growth, and indeed about Islam's situation vis-a-vis modernity." (p. 179-180)

This book does not qualify as a quick easy read, but is worth the effort. As an avid newspaper and news junkie in general, the biggest surprise in reading The Shia Revival was how little understanding I had of the issues. The struggles within the Islam faith don't lend themselves articles or sixty-second spots as our culture has become accustomed to. Nasr does a good job of providing some historical perspective that leads up to many of the "why" questions that the Western World frequently asks.

This book is one of the most important books written for understanding the current situation in the Middle East - both current and past. Many books about Islam do not even mention the differences between the Shia and the Sunni branches of Islam. This book give a consice history of Islam and the early division that broke apart these two branches that continues to divide people throughout the Middle East. It is the root cause of the conflict in Iraq and the lack of understanding of this great divide by the US government has led us into the quagmire we are in today. This piece should be essential reading for anyone who wants to understand Islam and the Middle East.

This is a remarkably important and well written book about that argues that the primary force unleashed by the American invasion of Iraq was not one of democracy vs. authoritarianism or the West vs. Islam. Rather it is the sectarianism of Shia vs. Sunni. Of course, the tension between Islam and the West has been a front and center issue since post-WWII. Through the Cold War, various crises erupted to bring the issue to the fore -- Suez Crisis, 67 War, 73, the Iranian Revolution, Lebanese civil war and Soviet invasion of Afghanistan -- prior to 9/11.

However, most Americans have limited knowledge about the internal conflict likely to define the course of Islam in the next 50 years -- the struggle between Sunni and Shia. Nasr presents a succinct and easily digestible overview of the roots of the conflict between these two branches of Islam. Traditionally the main western view of Shiism is that of Iran, the largest Shiite nation in the Middle East. With the overthrow of Saddam and American push for a democratic Iraq, the majority Shia was now poised to extend and be the dominant voice in an Arab country. Given American policy since the overthrow of the Shah in 1979 to not engage diplomatically with Iran, a significant void existed in our understanding of Shiites, especially given the discrimination of them across the rest of the Arab world. This has been a major problem since the overthrow of Saddam and de-Baathification. The US was very adept at taking advantage of al-Sistani's initial guidance to his Shia followers not to engage in violence and allow the political process to unfold. With "one person, one vote", it was inevitable that the influence Shia would exert. Sunni's would not accept such an outcome and began a wave of violence that continues to this day -- Sunni and Shia death squads vying for power and control -- while regional powers Iran, Syria and Saudi Arabia provide support for their faction respective factions.

Nasr highly readable and informative book is a must read for all Americans looking to understand why the violence and escalation in Iraq is so hard to control and poses such risks for the US and the region going forward. While we live in a time of 15 second sound bites, the reality is a situation so complex and deeply embedded that sound bites and easy answers will not solve any problems. While this book may not provide the answers to any of the problems that exist, it will help one better understand the multi-faceted nature of the problem, the stakes involved and why the sectarian conflict between Sunni and Shia is likely to impact the rest of the world for the foreseeable future.

I picked up this book after I saw Nasr on TV. I must admit it lived up to its top billing. It is an easy read that explains history and complexities of the Middle East in a compelling manner. Among much else written on what went wrong in Iraq this book stands out for its prescience and wisdom. Everyone interested in knowing what happened and what may yet happen in Iraq should read this book.

Vali Nasr shines a bright light on the Muslim sectarian conflicts in the Middle East, both as they existed in the past and as they exist today. Both our citizens and, particulary, our government representatives need such a light as we grope our way into the future.

In his concluding chapter Nasr writes, "The lesson of Iraq is that trying to force a future of its liking will hasten the advent of those outcomes that the United States most wishes to avoid."

Also, "The most salient threat from the extremist interpretation of Islam now wears Sunni garb...If the Shias are emerging from their dark years of ideological posturing, revolution, and extremism, the Sunnis seem to be entering theirs, or at least passing into a darker phase."

He looks to the future: The Shias and Sunnis are adjusting to a new balance of power, and "those forces that are most dangerous to Western interest and to the peace of the region are likely to thrive during this transition."

This book is a delight to read. It is well-written and smart, and also very insightful. Among all the books that I have read on the background to the Iraq war none better explains how and why sectarianism has become so important than this one. Nasr provides a good primer on Shiism and the Shia-Sunni conflict, and discusses the Middle East in a whole new way. I recommend this book. You will enjoy it.

This is a very good book that looks into the Islamic culture and provides a great insight into the divisions that are present within Islam. Any Westerner (for which I am) that wants to get a better appreciation of some of the factors that impact the Middle East should read this book.

The conflict between Sunni and Shi'ite Muslims in Iraq is characteristic of a centuries old battle for control of religious domination that has colored not only the country but the entire Middle East. Vali Nasr's The Shia Revival details both the history of the ideological conflict as well as the developing future of Middle East politics that the revival of Shi'ism will likely bring. Vali Nasr, though clearly partial and sympathetic to the Shia, details the history, evolution, commonalities and fracturing moments that have shaped both the ideological struggle as well as the power structure of the region. Many Americans, prior to September 11, 2001, failed to have even a basic understanding of Islamic identity and culture let alone the intricacies of the Shia-Sunni divide. Nasr attempts to illuminate a tremendously complex subject in a fashion that even those with a mere basic understanding could appreciate. Understanding the historical context of the how, what and when of the events that led to the splintering of a religion that dominates the lives of the millions of people of this vast land is vitally important to predicting its future.

I found Nasr's writing educational in a fashion more akin to the impartiality of a historical study rather than the seething bias of a political science analysis. Most likely a consequence of his understanding of the region, Nasr recognizes that attempting to impose your will, especially on those of the Middle East only serves to solidify and harden their position. The first hand objectivity that Nasr is able to convey is a necessary component to understanding the values that shape the identity of a people whose lives are determined by a existence very different from our own.

From the rise of Arab nationalism, to the ebb and flow of Arab influence throughout the world, Nasr details how events such as the Iran-Iraq war, the oil embargo of the early 1970's, the assassination of various political leaders and the Iranian Revolution have challenged and shaped the identity of a people whose attachment to history can be difficult to fathom by those whose existence is shaped more by the last five days than the last five centuries. Many times we assume that the factors that have shaped our lives have, in the same way, shaped the lives of people with a very different culture. This lack of objectivity or understanding creates many of the problems that we now face. Nasr's writings serve to dispel some of the misunderstandings that prejudices and myths create, the consequences of which have implications beyond anything we have likely experienced before.

Most importantly within Nasr's writings is how the Iraqi war has been exploited by those attempting to rally support for their cause. Attempting to understand the forces that shape Middle Eastern politics would not be complete without understanding the dynamics of its evolution. From the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to the war in Chechnya and the divide between Sunni and Shia, the Iraq war has morphed into a conflict so distorted by competing forces that the original objective has been lost. Just as it is an oversimplification to claim that the U.S. Civil War was fought over slavery so too is it nearsighted to view the Iraq War as a war solely of philosophy. In much the same way that the U.S. Civil War brought the issue of slavery to a head so too has the war in Iraq hastened the inevitable confrontation between the competing ideologies that shape Islam. The disruption of a delicate regional balance of power between competing values and beliefs shifted from simmer to boil a conflict that raged below the surface long before the introduction of U.S. troops to the region.

The consequences of action as well as the lack of action in the region will have far reaching ramifications not only for the region but the future of Islam. Lacking the criticism and hindsight of many post Iraq invasion texts, Nasr seems to attempt to provide an understanding of the region's history while allowing the reader the opportunity to draw informed conclusions based on facts rather than emotional reaction.
While the complexities of Middle Eastern politics can leave even its native population bewildered, I found Nasr's historical portrayal an educational compliment to any serious study of the forces that have and will continue to shape the future of both the region and the world at large.

This book is a very well written historic and present day perspective of the conflict between Sunni and Shia. The author provides the history of the split between the two Muslim religions that includes a history of violence with the Sunni's dominating the Shia virtually for centuries. With the history, you have a understanding of the deep divide between the two groups and a thirst for retaliation by the Shia along with the feeling of rightousness among the Sunni. The modern day understanding of the conflict in Iraq becomes clear but also the emergence of Iran and Iran's need to be a powerful force. Once virtually an isolated Shia stronghold in the Middle east, with the weakening of once Sunni dominated Irag, Iran is now a virtually uninhibbitted power.

This book is essentially divided into three parts. I will comment on each briefly.

First, the author provides a very basic overview of the history and ideas of Shi'a Islam. This is useful if you know almost nothing about the religion, but a reader familiar with the topic will find little new information here.

Second is an overview of how Shi'ism developed in the modern Middle East, namely in Pakistan, Iraq, and Iran. This section was very well done, although the information is often somewhat basic. I would recommend this even to a knowledgeable reader.

Third is a discussion of the role of this religious divide in the Middle East today. This is where the author's brilliance shines through. Even if you do not agree with everything he says, there are a number of interesting, thought-provoking ideas in this section.

The writing is clear and concise, making the book an easy read.

Although he does mention it briefly a few times, the author does not sufficiently acknowledge that religion is not the actual source of many of the problems he discusses. Instead, there are often political and economic problems that are aggravated by this religious divide.

My other complaint is that the book is too short. This is a huge topic, and he provides very little coverage of many important factors, especially since he takes some much space writing about the basics of Shi'ism.

Despite this, however, the book was excellent overall. Someone new to the topic will learn a great deal, and a knowledgeable reader will still pick up some new ideas. I highly recommend this book.

This is an accessible and useful volume for those who want to know more about what is at stake with the Shia versus Sunni disputes. At the outset, the author, Vali Nasr, notes that (page 20): "The Shia-Sunni conflict is at once a struggle for the soul of Islam. . .and a manifestation of the kind of tribal wars of ethnicities and identities, so seemingly archaic at times, yet so surprisingly vital, with which humanity has become wearily familiar."

The volume begins with a description of the separation of Shia and Sunni; the main issue was the succession to Mohammed. Would it be familial (Shia) or a collective decision of tribal elders (Sunni)? The succeeding chapter (Chapter 2) provides a compressed history of Shia and Sunni. These two chapters, taken together, provide a useful context for those who are unfamiliar with the divisions within Islam.

Later, the work explores a more contemporary perspective. Chapter 4 examines events in the 1970s and after. The title, "Khomeini's Moment," speaks a great deal to the subject matter. The end of the chapter discusses the role of the Ayatollah Khoi (from Iraq) who took a different path. The author notes that (page 145) "Khoi's importance in placing limits on the reach of Khomeini's ideas and prestige is often underrated and underrecognized." Then, the role of the Ayatollah Sistani in Iraq is discussed, to good effect. Chapter 6, in part, speaks of Sistani's political perspective and its importance.

There is further discussion of the importance of the Shia perspective in Iraq and Iran and what this might portend. The "Afterword" begins to suggest what is "at stake" with "the Shia Revival."

This is a good volume to read if one wishes to know more about the internal conflicts in Islam and what this might entail for American policy in the Middle East. Well written and thought provoking. . . .

Keep this volume on the bedside table no matter what the U.S. does in Iraq. This is a clear and comprehensive explanation of the conflicts throughout the Middle East. Think of it as a "Cliff's Notes" which gives the historic background for the latest bombing or attack in Iraq and its environs. It's also really short--a "quick" read.

One of the many unintended consequences of Operation Iraqi Freedom has been to open the possibility that the Shia population of Iraq may gain political control of that unhappy country. As this book makes clear, the Shia, although a religious minority within the larger Sunni Islamic Religion, do constitute the religious majority in Iraq. The prospect of Iraq as an independent Arab Shia nation state is one that excites Shia everywhere in the Near East and South Asia. Such an event would very likely lead to serious political consequences particularly in the Persian Gulf. The title of this admirable book refers to this possibility.

It is in anticipation of this revival that Vali Nasr has written an excellent account of the Shia providing the reader with the history of the sect and a description of its current political-religious dynamics. As an absolute religious minority the Shia have a long history of persecution and discrimination by the majority Sunnis in all Islamic countries, even Iraq where as noted they were actually in the majority. In particular the currently popular Sunni fundamentalist Salifi Movement and its principal theology of Whahhabism have been intolerant of the Shia. The possibility of an Iraq under the control of the Shia then is more than disconcerting to such countries as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the UAE all of whom have substantial Shia minorities. Then there is the Hezbollah movement in Lebanon which although primarily supported by Iran, would be greatly emboldened by an Arab Shia state.

Then there is Iran itself. Iran, like Turkey, is a non-Arab Islamic State, but unlike Turkey it is under the control of a Shia majority and, with Iraq, has always been a major center of Shia religious thought and training. As with every thing else in the Near East the relationship of the Arab Shia population to Persian Shia Iran is complex and filled with contradictions. Yet there is little doubt that Iran would be delighted to have an Arab Shia state as a neighbor.

Nasr, a Persian-American Shia, has indeed produced an outstanding and timely account of yet another little known, but vitally important factor in that churning cauldron that is the realm of Islam.

The book was fascinating and informative. Unfortunetly the publisher lacks quality controls as the last chapter, # 9, was misssing and I had two chapter # 8's. I will have to wait until I find it in the library to finish the book.

After reading several books, including the Koran, this is the book that made me understand the underlying differences between the Shia and Sunni from the beginning through today. They have been in battle since the death of Mohammed - or around 1400 years and both sides seem to remember ancient events like (a Greek tragedy) as if they happened last month.

As the U.S. has learned at a dear price, we cannot solve this problem and 1400 years of rulers has been unable to as well. Read this book for a clearer understanding of what we unleased and what most likely lays ahead.

A recent book, The Shia Rivival by Vali Nasr provides a highly informaed understanding of the current religious schism/war/conflict within Islam which the media prefers to call a "sectarian divide." It provides pretty much everything intelligent American (or other Westerners) need to
know about the origins of the Moslem schism, its history over 1400 years, is geographic distribution, its relationship to Arab nationalism, terrorism, and Democracy, and its place in current and likely future events. While this book is a little too detailed for general readers, it is definitely worth the extra effort for its insights and thorough understanding. Vali Nasr is a politically neutral guide. He is professor or Middle East and South Asian politics at the Naval Post Graduate School and a senior fellow of the Council on Foreign Relations. From his writing you can't tell if he is a Democrat or Republican and it doesn't matter. The book should be equally relevant to both.

I have no respect to the author's dignity. Both, father and son are on IRI, Islamic Republis of Iran, payroll list...

Nasr presents a lot of very important information about the Shia/Sunni conflict that is difficult to come by in the US. The only problem is that since he works for the Naval Academy, his presentation of the US role in this mess is rather meager to say the least.

If you want to understand the Iraq/Iran situation and the rest of the middle east debacle for western nations not only now for for years/decades to come , then this book is a great reference tool. Hopefully the US policy makers have read or will read for a better under standing of what we are all dealing with in the Middle East.