Shi'is of Iraq [Hardcover]

Yitzhak Nakash (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 7, 1994 | ISBN-10: 0691034311 | ISBN-13: 978-0691034317

Iraqi Shi'is, the country's majority group, are politically disinherited, as was vividly demonstrated in the aftermath of the Gulf War. This study provides an historical background to the understanding of the Shi'is' place in today's Sunni-dominated Iraq. It challenges the widely held belief that their culture and politics are a reflection of Iranian Shi'ism. In examining the years between the rise of the Shi'i strongholds Najaf and Karbala in the mid-18th century and the collapse of the Iraqi monarchy in 1958, it shows that the growth of Iraqi Shi'ism was closely related to socio-economic and political developments in the 19th century. The text sees the rise of the modern state as a development that reinforced the differences between Shi'ism in Iraq and Iran, pulling Iraqi and Iranian Shi'is further apart in the 20th century. In exploring this topic, it elucidates Shi'i political aspirations and the position of Shi'i Islam in contemporary Iraq. An epilogue discusses the impact of the Gulf War on Iraqi Shi'ism, pointing to the challenges now facing people in Iraq and the opposition in exile.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Nakash's book provides a powerful corrective to earlier books on Iraq which have been battered by recent events. No reader who goes through Nakash's work will fail to be moved by the historical vistas he opens up."

Review

The most authoritative account we have on the Shi'a of Iraq. . . . Nakash's book provides a powerful corrective to earlier books on Iraq which have been battered by recent events. No reader who goes through Nakash's work will fail to be moved by the historical vistas he opens up. (Fouad Ajami, School of Advanced International Studies, The Johns Hopkins University ) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 340 pages
• Publisher: Princeton University Press (February 7, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0691034311
• ISBN-13: 978-0691034317
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,674,040 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #98 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Islam > Shi'ism

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well Researched Book, November 21, 2000

By 

eshaiker (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Shi'is of Iraq (Paperback)

The author takes you straight to the subject and sinks deep into details that are rarely found in other books published in the English language. Excellent research with knowledge of culture and tradition that associates with this highly sensitive area. The most important argument made is that Shi'is of Iraq became a majority in the mid 19th century due to the active role of the seminaries in Najaf and Karabala spreading Shiisim Islam among the recently settled Arab tribes.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Encyclopedia of Iraqi Shia, July 22, 2009

By 

David W. Southworth (Alexandria, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Shi'is of Iraq (Paperback)

In this book Nakash paints a picture of change and how it has affected the mid to southern part of Iraq. Iraqi Arabs in the late nineteenth century began to convert to Shiism en masse. However, in contrast to the Iranian system, where Shiism had been a state religion got five hundred years, Iraqi Shia stayed cloistered in their seminaries in Najaf and Karbela

This major difference between Iraqi and Iranian Shia, a question too many prognosticators who likely don't know the difference between Sunni and Shiite but claim to know what is going on in the middle east today. The people who claim to be experts on cable news likely won't read this book, but it would be a step in the right direction.

This book is also for serious scholars, because Nakash goes through great detail the history of corpse traffic, the history of relations between the urban centers such as Baghdad, and Southern Iraq, largely poor with only a few cities.

While a bit cumbersome to get through, the writer may have had thought that his audience would only be academics, but in this environment this book should be widely read by as wide an audience aas possible.

I highly recommend this book

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars informative and well researched, June 13, 2009

By 

K. Jaber (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Shi'is of Iraq (Paperback)

I came across this book in a public library when I wanted to know more about the Iraq war events. I have read it. I have found it a well researched and informative piece of good scholarly work. Recently a friend of mine wanted to know more about the people of Iraq. I could not find a better readable reference on a significant part of the Iraqi society. Therefore I proceeded to buying a copy to present it as a gift to this friend. Recommended