Israel`s conflict with the Palestinians, & the Arab world at large, casts a long shadow over her history. When 1920s Zionist leaders formulated the ` Iron Wall` strategy
- negotiating from a position of unassailable strength
- they intended that a stronger Israel would eventually be able to make peace with her Arab neighbours. This has been an elusive hope. Here, Shlaim explores the reasons for Israel`s long reliance on military power in the absence of settlement. His analysis will bring scant comfort to partisans on either side, but it is required reading for anyone interested in this fascinating, troubled l&.

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Late one summer evening, Wilberforce
- rich, young, & work-obsessed
- makes a detour on his way home to the vast undercroft

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Publishing to coincide with Bradt`s 40th anniversary, The Irresponsible Traveller is a light but edgy collection of travellers` tales. Travel writers & celebrities alike recount their exciting, & often dangerous, adventures which include being chased by a sea lion, accosted by Brazilian kidnappers & a midnight raid to free turtles on the Amazon. In over 40 years Bradt has built a reputation for publishing books covering the road less travelled, & this collection celebrates exactly the sort of writing & storytelling about `unusual` travel experiences that has helped to establish the company as a firm favourite amongst adventurous travellers. Featuring contributions from Hilary Bradt, Michael Palin, Ben Fogle & Jonathan Scott, the title is a perfect tome to dip in & out of. ...

In May 2013, freelance photographer Daniel Rye was captured in Syria & held prisoner by Islamic State for thirteen months, along with eighteen other hostages. The ISIS Hostage tells the dramatic & heart-breaking story of Daniel`s ordeal & details the misery inflicted upon him by the British guards, which included Jihadi John. This tense & riveting account also follows Daniel`s family & the nerve-wracking negotiations with his kidnappers. It traces their horrifying journey through impossible dilemmas & offers a rare glimpse into the secret world of the investigation launched to locate & free not only Daniel, but also the American journalist & fellow hostage James Foley. Written with Daniel`s full cooperation & based on interviews with former fellow prisoners, jihadists & key figures who worked behind the scenes to secure his release, The ISIS Hostage reveals for the first time the torment suffered by the captives & tells a moving & terrifying story of friendship, torture & survival. ...

SHORTLISTED FOR THE BAILLIE GIFFORD PRIZE 2017 ` An eye-opening, well-written & very timely book` Yuval Noah Harari` The best sort of book for our disordered days: timely, urgent & illuminating` Pankaj Mishra ` It strikes a blow...for common humanity` Sunday Times The Muslim world has often been accused of a failure to modernise & adapt. Yet in this sweeping narrative & provocative retelling of modern history, Christopher de Bellaigue charts the forgotten story of the Islamic Enlightenment
- the social movements, reforms & revolutions that transfigured the Middle East from the early nineteenth century to the present day. Modern ideals & practices were embraced across the region, including the adoption of modern medicine, the emergence of women from purdah & the development of democracy. The Islamic Enlightenment looks behind the sensationalist headlines in order to foster a genuine understanding of Islam & its relationship to the West. It is essential reading for anyone engaged in the state of the world today.
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` Brilliant` Orhan Pamuk` The best sort of book for our disordered days: timely, urgent & illuminating` Pankaj Mishra` It strikes a blow.. . for common humanity.` Sunday Times The Islamic Enlightenment: a contradiction in terms? The Muslim world has often been accused of a failure to modernise, reform & adapt. But, from the beginning of the nineteenth century to the present day, Islamic society in its Middle Eastern heartlands has in fact been transformed by modern ideals & practices, including the adoption of modern medicine, the emergence of women from purdah & the development of democracy. Who were the scholars & scientists, writers & politicians that brought about these remarkable changes? & why is their legacy now under threat? Beginning with the dramatic collision of East & West following Napoleon`s arrival in Egypt, & taking us through 200 tumultuous years of Middle Eastern history, Christopher de Bellaigue, introduces us to key figures & reformers; from Egypt`s visionary ruler Muhammad Ali to brave radicals like Iran`s first feminist Qurrat al-Ayn & the writer Ibrahim Sinasi, who transformed Ottoman Turkey`s language & literature. This book tells the forgotten story of the Islamic Enlightenment. It shows us how to look beyond sensationalist headlines to foster a genuine understanding of modern Islam & Muslim culture, & is essential reading for anyone engaged with the state of the world today. ...

Exploring the beliefs, history & politics of Islam, ” The Britannica Guide to the Islamic World” is a clear & unbiased reference resource, compiled by experts in the field. It introduces the ideas as well as the places at the centre of one of the most important religions of our time. Founded in the seventh century by the prophet Mohammed, Islam has now spread across the world & every culture. Exploring Islamic history, beliefs & scriptures, it will be an invaluable & comprehensive guide to Muslim faith. In addition, the guide reveals the role that Islam plays today including the conflict in the Middle East, the rise of Islamism, & the divisions between the Sunni & Shi`ite sects. As the Islamic World becomes the focus of politicians & the media, it is more important than ever to have a reliable & accurate introduction to this controversial topic. ” The Britannica Guide to the Islamic World” is introduced by Ziauddin Sardar. ...

Ed Husain`s ” The Islamist” is the shocking inside story of British Islamic fundamentalism, told by a former radical. ” When I was sixteen I became an Islamic fundamentalist. Five years later, after much emotional turmoil, I rejected fundamentalist teachings & returned to normal life & my family. As I recovered my faith & mind, I tried to put my experiences behind me, but as the events of 7/7 unfolded it became clear to me that Islamist groups pose a threat to this country that we
- Muslims & non-Muslims alike
- do not yet underst&.` ` Why are young British Muslims becoming extremists? What are the risks of another home-grown terrorist attack on British soil? By describing my experiences inside these groups & the reasons I joined them, I hope to explain the appeal of extremist thought, how fanatics penetrate Muslim communities & the truth behind their agenda of subverting the West & moderate Islam. Writing candidly about life after extremism, I illustrate the depth of the problem that now grips Muslim hearts & minds & lay bare what politicians & Muslim `community leaders` do not want you to know.` ”A complete eye-opener”. (” The Times”).” Captivating, & terrifyingly honest”. (” Observer”). ” Persuasive & stimulating”. (Martin Amis). ” Read this articulate & impassioned book”. (Simon Jenkins, ” Sunday Times”). Ed Husain was an Islamist radical for five years in his late teens & early twenties. Having rejected extremism he travelled widely in the Middle East & worked for the British Council in Syria & Saudi Arabia. Husain received wide & various acclaim for ” The Islamist”, which was shortlisted for the Orwell Prize for political writing & the PEN/ Ackerley Prize for literary autobiography, amongst others.

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The Island follows Alexis Fielding who, on the brink of a life-changing decision, longs to find out about her mother`s past. But Sofia has never spoken of it. All she admits to is growing up in a small Cretan village before moving to London. When Alexis decides to visit Crete, however, Sofia gives her daughter a letter to take to an old friend, & promises that through her she will learn more. Arriving in Plaka, Alexis is astonished to see that it is but a stone`s throw from the tiny, deserted island of Spinalonga -- Greece`s former leper colony. Then she finds Fotini, & at last hears the story that Sofia has buried all her life: the tale of her great-grandmother Eleni & her daughters & a family rent by tragedy, war & passion. Alexis discovers how intimately she is connected with the isl&, & how secrecy holds them all in its powerful grip... ...

Frances is alone on a small island in the middle of the Indian ocean. She has to find water & food. She has to survive. & when she is there she also thinks about the past. The things that she did before. The things that made her a monster. Nothing is easy. Survival is hard & so is being honest about the past. Frances is a survivor however & with the help of the only other crash survivor she sees that the future is worth fighting for. A gripping & thoughtful story about a girl who didn`t ask to be the person she is but is also determined to make herself the person she wants to be. ...