Customer Reviews

Eclipse of the Sunnis: Power, Exile, and Upheaval in the Middle East

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Too often in today's media, we hear of "sectarian conflict" in Iraq, Lebanon, Afghanistan, and many other Middle Eastern countries. Nevertheless, we fail to understand what these conflicts consist of, or why they exist in the first place. In this well researched and written account, Deborah Amos takes us inside the ethnic conflict of Sunni and Shi'a Muslims in Iraq, and educates us about their struggles of resettlement and exile. The depth of Amos' reporting is exceptional, as she was fortunate enough to develop intimate relationships with many Iraqi refugees. This is a worthwhile read for anyone who wants to understand the ethnic conflicts of post-war Iraq.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book; I wanted an objective, non-political description of what has happened to the Iragi people since the start of the War In Iraq. Ms. Amos covers the plight of Christians, Sunni, Shiite, Baath and other relgiions in Iraq, with details that made me occasionaly put down the book and shake my head. She spends time describing Jordan, Syria, Beirut, Israel, and Iran as well as Iraq. It is clear she knows the region, and contected with people of all types in order to document the incredible stories in the book. There is a tendancy in her writing to counter-point U.S. international policy and military actions with our stated goals but without an overly political lean. After reading this book, I am spurred to read more about the religious and political history of the region. Well done. Touching. A must read.

An interesting book which is a good help in understanding the history of Iraq and the consequences of the war.

I sought and found in this highly readable volume clear explanation of the powerful changes ocurring in the Middle East. Deborah Amos has the depth of experience and knowledge to tell the stories of individual people and to place those fascinating stories in the context of the larger forces operating in the countries that we- the USA - has so influenced. This is a valuable book for anyone who wants to learn more of the changes caused by US intervention, the historical context in which those interventions are experienced by the people of the Middle East and how they will affect the future.

The book gives extensive detail concerning the disruptive effects of the Coalition of the "Willings's" war on Iraq's citizens --- particularly the Sunni Muslims. The book gives insight into the plight of involuntarily displaced people in the Middle East generally.

I read this book immediately after having read "The Foresaken". Although "The Forsesaken" deals with Gulag prisoners in Stalinist Russia and and "The Sunni Eclipse" deals with Iraqis in exile what is similar to both works is the fact that what is always lost and or forgotten in Geo-Political conflicts are the very entity that those conflicts publicly voice concern for...the people. And, while this scenario has and probably will be repeated again and again...Ms. Amos adds a fresh voice to this particular narrative. I have always respected her as a journalist (both on TV and on NPR) and she does not disapoint in print. Drawing from a series of interviews with Iraqis in exile and a concise refrence to historical context...this book is jam packed with information...much more so than I would have thought possible in just aver 200 pages...which speaks to Ms. Amos' ability to tell this story with a minimum of superfluous commentary...I have nothing but praise for this book...and highly, highly recomend it