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Title: The West's Last Chance

Subtitle: Will We Win the Clash of Civilizations?

Author: Tony Blankley

Narrator: Mark Warner

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 24 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-27-06

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 122 votes

Genres: History, World

Publisher's Summary:

What is holding our government back from fighting the Islamist threat to the best of its ability? Why has the United States ignored the lessons of World War II, lessons that could hold the secret to winning the war on terror? Tony Blankley asks the hard questions and gives the straight answers that our country needs to hear. Frightening, provocative, and instructive, The West's Last Chance will change the way we think about, and fight, the War on Terror.

Tony Blankley is an editor for the Washington Times, and a frequent guest of Hardball with Chris Matthews and Meet the Press with Tim Russert.

Critic Reviews:

"An extremely controversial, thought-provoking treatment of an important subject." (Henry Kissinger)

"For anyone interested in an uncertain world and our nation's place in it, current and future events make Tony Blankley's exceptional book, The West's Last Chance, a must-read." (Senator Bob Dole)

Members Reviews:

Read this book

Very good and interesting book, it is slanted to the right but so am I. It will definitely make you think about the future with Islam on the war path. It is time to protect our futures.

Must Read

A must read if one is trying to understand the clash of cultures going on...

Some Points but Overly Alarmist

The author raises a few points that could be valid but he seems a little bit one-dimensional to me in his presentation. Muslims come to be portrayed, almost exclusively, as radicals who must have alterior motives. Therefore, we all better be alert or the bogeyman (aka Muslims) will be coming for us. Or, so I would presume this is where the author is going. At its best, this book gives some interesting historical and current affairs data. But, I am afraid, it degenerates too much into a right wing rant as we obviously all are not just alert enough to what the "Muslims" have in store for us! Nonetheless, if you are interested in politics and these kinds of issues, as I am, go ahead and buy the book. I didn't agree with the author but nonetheless was able to get a sense of how the right positions itself on this matter.

Propaganda

He's right, but there's no reason here to believe him. That he works for a right-wing newspaper doesn't help his credibility. If you already think we're in trouble, it's validating. If you already think it's all hype, you'll see right through it. If you're one of the three people that's actually trying to figure this stuff out, it won't help.

Pure unadulterated cultural bigotry

Blankley offers up some clever rationalizations for Americans and Europeans to feel justified in holding on to their ethnic and cultural bigotry. Early on he asks the question, Is Islam incompatible with democracy in that in a democracy, the will of man decides over the will of god? And according to the Qur'an, a true Islamic state is governed by the will of god, the will of Allah. That won't do for us. No more videos of The Love Boat guys. They hate our freedoms, and our way of life. Yes he quotes George Bush. He even advocates a declaration of war, a religious crusade against Islamic Jihad calling on all those in the sleeping religious right to rise up and finish the job the admirable president Bush started.

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Title: Library

Subtitle: An Unquiet History

Author: Matthew Battles

Narrator: Grover Gardner

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 43 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-18-05

Publisher: Books on Tape

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 32 votes

Genres: History, World

Publisher's Summary:

For rare-books librarian Matthew Battles, libraries represent a compelling paradox. On the one hand, they exist to collect and preserve knowledge. On the other hand, they have been used to control, restrict, and sometimes obliterate knowledge. Battles takes us on a spirited foray from classical scriptoria to medieval monasteries, from the Vatican to the British Library, from socialist reading rooms and rural home libraries to the Information Age. At the same time, he gives due attention to both what has been found and what has been lost, from the clay tablets of ancient Mesopotamia to the storied Alexandrian libraries in Egypt, from the burned scrolls of China's Q'ing Dynasty to the book pyres of the Hitler Youth. This history speaks volumes about the care of the written word.

©2003 Matthew Battles; (P)2003 Books on Tape, Inc.

Critic Reviews:

"Battles' sprightly narrative performs a valuable service by blowing the dust off our stodgy, conventional conception of the library." (The Los Angeles Times Book Review)

Members Reviews:

Fascinating and Timely

Well written and researched Battles explores our complex and often confounding relationship to the shifting institution of the library.

Okay, So I'm a Nerd

But I really enjoyed this book. I gave it five stars because I had such an enjoyable time reading it. I like reading history books that attack history from a slightly different point of view. I can only read so much political history before I want to scream. As far as intellectual history goes, the development of the library is an important one--and not as straight forward as we might think. Battles did a nice job. Kept it short and interesting while still covering a lot of ground. Gardner is, as always, a pleasant listen.

Very entertaining and educational.

This book ties together so many ideas and historical events. It's the kind of book that pieces together isolated bits of information into what eventually becomes knowledge.

Furthermore, at under seven hours, it never gets tedious or mired down in detail.

A wonderful listen, and well worth your time.

Don't bother

Awful. Awful. A fine writer who is completely disorganized. Skips from topic to topic, era to ear and back again. What a shame. The reader is just fine but that doesn't' compensate for a truly terrible mess of a book.

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Title: Shakespeare by Another Name

Subtitle: The Life of Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford, the Man who Was Shakespeare

Author: Mark Anderson

Narrator: Simon Prebble

Format: Abridged

Length: 10 hrs and 18 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-09-05

Publisher: HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 71 votes

Genres: History, World

Publisher's Summary:

As Anderson reveals, de Vere lived in Venice during his twenties, often in debt to its moneylenders (Merchant of Venice). He led military campaigns against rebellious nobles in Scotland (Macbeth). An extramarital affair resulted in fighting between his supporters and rivals (Romeo and Juliet). And when de Vere was publicly disgraced, he began using the pen name "Shake-speare" and appealed to Queen Elizabeth I through her favorite form of entertainment: the theater.

Critic Reviews:

"The most important Shakespeare biography of the past 400 years." (Sarah Smith)

Contact me for any questions: [email protected]

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Title: A History of Britain, Volume 2

Subtitle: The Wars of the British 1603-1776

Author: Simon Schama

Narrator: Timothy West

Format: Abridged

Length: 11 hrs

Language: English

Release date: 12-21-01

Publisher: Macmillan Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 185 votes

Genres: History, World

Publisher's Summary:

The second volume of Simon Schama's A History of Britain brings the histories of Britain's civil wars - full of blighted idealism, shocking carnage, and unexpected outcomes - startlingly to life. These conflicts were fought unsparingly between the nations of the islands - Ireland, England, and Scotland - and between Parliament and the crown. Shattering the illusion of a "united kingdom," they cost hundreds of thousands of lives: a greater proportion of the population than died in the First World War.

When religious passion gave way to the equally consuming passion for profits, it became possible for the pieces of Britain to come together as the spectacularly successful business enterprise of "Britannia Incorporated." And in a few generations that business state expanded in a dizzying process that transformed what had been an obscure, off-shore footnote to Europe's great powers into the main event - the most powerful empire in the world.

Yet somehow, it was the "wrong empire." The British considered it a bastion of liberty, yet it was based on military force and the enslavement of hundreds of thousands of Africans. In America, the emptiness of British claims to protect "freedom" was thrown back into the teeth of colonial governors and redcoat soldiers, while the likes of Sam Adams and George Washington inherited the mantle of Cromwell.

Simon Schama grippingly evokes the horror of the battle, famine, and plague; the flames of burning cities; the pathos of broken families, with fathers and sons forced to choose opposing sides. But he also captures the intimacies of palace and Parliament and the seductions of profit and pleasure.

This is Volume 2 of A History of Britain.

Don't miss Simon Schama, Clive James, Bernard-Henri Levy, and Anna Deavere Smith talking about art and politics at

.

Critic Reviews:

"A delightfully accessible and important book...an elegantly written, consistently engaging account...penned by one of today's finest historians." (Publishers Weekly)

"A powerful experience. Great drama, insight, and vivid detail." (Booklist)

Members Reviews:

All around outstanding

Volume II is as good as Volume I of this work. An outstanding survey of British history, made exciting by good narration, good narrative, good organization. This volume does show some threadbare spots, some superficiality about important subjects, but that should be expected in a "grand survey" work, especially one that is somewhat abridged. Nevertheless, these are small & almost unnoticeable blemishes on the work. If you want to learn more about the events narrated, or the events skipped, there are a number of works available "on tape" (some on Audible, some not) that go into more depth on such things as the english civil war, the french & indian war, the "glorious revolution" and so forth.

Outstanding History

If you're a history buff, this is definitely a book for you. Schama provides a great, lucid explanation of the very convoluted history of 17th century England, in particular. You'll know which Charles followed which James, without losing your head in the process.

Brilliant. Wonderful.

I've listened to A History of Britain (both volumes) all the way through twice and have learned something new each time.

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Title: The Island Race

Author: Winston Churchill

Narrator: Edward de Souza

Format: Abridged

Length: 3 hrs and 54 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-26-00

Publisher: Naxos AudioBooks

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 8 votes

Genres: History, World

Publisher's Summary:

Here is a history of Britain by one of its finest statesmen, a man who had himself crucially shaped events during perhaps the greatest crisis of modern times. Churchill's resonant prose brings to vivid and compelling life the political, constitutional, and military landmarks of our history: His purpose, to show that a sense of how man may live decently and democratically grew from the heritage of these islands.

Editorial Reviews:

A man who indelibly shaped the course of modern British history tells the story of those who preceded him. From the Roman invasion through the reign of Victoria, Winston Churchills The Island Race celebrates English heritage and the ideals it espouses - democracy, nobility, and bravery. Churchill shows how these virtues have remained constant throughout Englands history, from its humble beginnings as a war-ravaged island, to the cultural, political and economic triumphs of global empire. Distinguished British actor Edward de Souzas (The Spy Who Loved Me, The Golden Compass) couples his regal, eloquent voice with pacing that is leisurely and casual. De Souza captures the essence of Churchills famous oratory - his raspy, but melodious resonance - without undermining his own strengths as a performer.

Members Reviews:

Disappointing abridgment of one of the best histories ever written

Narrator Edward de Souza is excellent. The music superfluous and annoying. Edward Heath's intro merely wastes time. Churchill is magnificent, but, this abridgement, presumably of the superb 4-volume History of the English speaking peoples, largely excluding the colonies, is so extreme that it is more like an outline of British History. I don't think this would serve as a good introduction, and unless you already know most of the history, I'm afraid you'll have a hard time following much of this. There is a one-volume abridgement of HESP, isbn 1616082402, which is better than this, but as far as I know is not available on audio. The failure here is naxos', who usually do much better work.

Maybe it's in book format

Ugh. A concise British history by Churchill sounds like one of the best things ever, but this one is spoiled by the music which I would characterize as "forties Hollywood," except that would be a slur on forties Hollywood music. Couldn't hack it. Maybe it's available as a written book. (The introduction was a snoozer, not by Churchill.)

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Title: The Lives of the Kings and Queens of England

Author: edited by Antonia Fraser

Narrator: Wanda McCaddon

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 27 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-16-99

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 173 votes

Genres: History, World

Publisher's Summary:

This magnificent story of 1,000 years of English history is told through the lives and deeds of Kings and Queens, from the Normans to the Windsors. Understand how the power of the crown has changed as a result of both the character and ability of each monarch and evolving historical circumstances. Eight specialist contributors depict the whole spectrum of royal life in a succinct and fascinating way. Newly revised in 1998, this edition offers expanded coverage of the House of Windsor, including recent events that have greatly affected the Royal Family.

©1998 Antonia Fraser; (P)1998 by The Audio Partners Publishing Corp.

Members Reviews:

Excellent introduction of British History

Covering 10 centuries of monarchy in almost as many hours, this book moves fast. As a result of its comprehensive scope, one suspects that some of the most critical and important events in English history are given something of a superficial treatment. That being said, this book provides an excellent introduction to English history, at least the classic "great men (and women)" history that many of us grew up with. Although the book is a compilation of separate authors, it is very fluid. It is written in a plain, straightforward manner and breathes life into its recount of one of the greatest soap operas tales known to history--the story of the English monarchy. If you like stories about murder, treachery, and power, this book is chalk-full of such tales. For those from outside of England that want a quick overview before your trip, this book will definitely do the trick.

just what I wanted

A very concise review of all of the monarchy in England. As thorough as it can be for its short length--if you want a review of all the English monarchy, this is it! I have been reading a lot of biographies and wanted to get the overall strand of monarchs straight, and this was perfect for that. I found it helpful that the book was broke up the reigns by direct family line (so the section changed when someone died without a son/daughter).

An enthralling travel through history

Where does The Lives of the Kings and Queens of England rank among all the audiobooks youve listened to so far?

Such a complete listening pleasure, the best book I have listened to so far I just couldn't stop I needed more.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

In the car, on the bus or cuddled up in bed at night I just loved in. Antonia Fraser may have edited this fabulous book but Wanda Mc Cadden brought the rise and fall of the English monarchy to life for me. Just fantastic!!

History at it's best!

I love the way the book chronicles the history of the kings and queens of England. If you have an interest in the English Monarcy and/or some of the major turning points of England's history, this is the audiobook for you.

wonderfully written, wonderfully read

I have Antonia Fraser's book as well but wanted to re-read it with audio. Starting with the Normon conquest up until the Windsors, it is a superb book, easy to follow, and immensely interesting with lots of detail. It is also very well read which makes listening to it a pleasure.

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Title: China: History of China - History of an Empire

Subtitle: A Historical Overview of China & East Asia. Including: Ancient China, Communism & Capitalism

Author: Raymond C. Nelson

Narrator: Jeffrey A. Hering

Format: Unabridged

Length: 3 hrs and 38 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-27-17

Publisher: Raymond C. Nelson

Genres: History, World

Publisher's Summary:

A Deeper Look Into One Of The Most Powerful Countries In The World!

"To know the past and that of other people is to know yourself." - Walter T.K. Nugent

Most of us know that China is swiftly becoming a greater superpower on the world stage. Join this quest to find the secret behind its infamous global influence. Get ready to immerse yourself in a history filled with great stories some even be unheard of before now!

History of China - History of an Empire: A Historical Overview of China & East Asia. Including: Ancient China, Communism, & Capitalism is the source for a deep dive into all things China. It covers the important events, people and places that played a huge role in its notability.

Heres what youll find inside:

Have burning questions about specific events from the history of China? Well this audiobook will provide you with all the information you need to gain a deeper understanding. Learning is always fun, and when you get your own copy youll gain full access to a ton of other relevant details that will have Chinese history leaping off of the page. So what are you waiting for?!

Members Reviews:

Details that had escaped me until now.

China is a comprehensive look at the full history of the dynasties and the people of that country. There are so many definitive moments in China's history that formed the culture and the society that is still being molded in modern times.

With exact dates and reasons, this book details how the ruling parties changed hands and what occurred after each upheaval. I found it to be so filled with detail about the war methods, the religious beliefs and the modern culture I read for days just absorbing it all.

Excellent book to learn about the most populated country in the world.

It was a very simplistic approach to the subject and would have been better off just saving the 3 dollars spent on it

Advertisements throughout the book, really awkward topics ranging from legitimate ones of previous history to current actors from the country...?

It was a very simplistic approach to the subject and would have been better off just saving the 3 dollars spent on it.

A great history book!

Highly recomended. I like how the book is organized, it starts with a brief history from prehistoric times to present, then goes back and expands on some of the more important eras. I especially liked the recent history on how communism influenced the country and what has happened since then. Fascinating and well written.

Great China historical read

China is a huge country, with a very deep and strong history, i was looking for a complete book to learn more about it, i went through this book and i am happy i did, well written easy to read and understand , the book is full of facts that make us understand why china become this kind of country nowadays, great read

I enjoyed this book

I enjoyed this book. I'm fascinated by all the different cultures in our world and I found this book to have lots of good information

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Title: Cochrane

Subtitle: The Real Master and Commander

Author: David Cordingly

Narrator: John Lee

Format: Unabridged

Length: 13 hrs and 7 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-12-07

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 117 votes

Genres: History, World

Publisher's Summary:

Nicknamed le loup des mers ("the sea wolf") by Napoleon, Thomas Cochrane was one of the most daring and successful naval heroes of all time. In this fascinating account of Cochrane's life, historian David Cordingly unearths startling new details about the real-life "Master and Commander", from his daring exploits against the French navy to his role in the liberation of Chile, Peru, and Brazil, and the shock exchange scandal that forced him out of England and almost ended his naval career. Drawing on previously unpublished papers, his own travels, wide reading, and the kind of original research that distinguished The Billy Ruffian, Cordingly tells the rip-roaring story of the archetypal romantic hero who conquered the seas and, in the process, defined his era.

Critic Reviews:

"Cordingly...tells Cochrane's story with flair and sympathy." (

Publishers Weekly)"[Listeners] can practically smell the salt air as Cordingly re-creates the age of sail." (

Kirkus)

Members Reviews:

There is a better book on Lord Cochrane

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

No. The author seems to grant Lord Cochrane only limited and grudging approbation. The author expresses a "balanced" view of this giant of a man - a bit like a shopkeeper's considered opinion of a great hero. This "damning by faint praise" seems mildly distasteful to me. The subject of the book is utterly fascinating and his accomplishments beyond the reach of but a few score of individuals in human history. I liked "Cochrane: The Life and Exploits of a Fighting Captain" by Robert Harvey much better. It is also available on Audible.

Has Cochrane turned you off from other books in this genre?

Not at all - but I've been turned off from other books by Mr. Cordingly.

What about John Lees performance did you like?

Good diction, his accents, a pleasant voice.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

A movie about Lord Cochrane could be great fun - but not one based on this book.

Any additional comments?

This book is essentially a tedious laundry list of Lord Cochrane amazing achievements. The subject is fascinating but the author does not seem to be captivated. I liked "Cochrane: The Life and Exploits of a Fighting Captain" by Robert Harvey much better. It is also available on Audible.

Great biography of a great naval officer

First of all, I was amazed that there was so much information available on Cochrane to put into a book. I suppose, given his exploits and his fame, there would have been plenty of accounts written up about him. As for his personal life, not so much. But in this case, it is the details of his career that are of the most interest. Cordingly does a terrific job of stringing together all his sources to produce a coherent narrative of Cochrane's career. As great a job as Cochrane did, ultimately it seems that his superiors were content to use him as a line officer. Proof once again that who you know matters more than what you do. Or maybe it's about personality. Either way, lessons abound in this book for all of us trying to find our way through our own careers. Of course, for those fans of C.S.

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Title: The Crusades: A Very Short Introduction

Author: Christopher Tyerman

Narrator: Stephen Bowlby

Format: Unabridged

Length: 5 hrs and 2 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-19-13

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 7 votes

Genres: History, World

Publisher's Summary:

With flair and originality, Christopher Tyerman presents a clear and lively discussion of the Crusades, bringing together issues of colonialism, cultural exchange, economic exploitation, and the relationship between past and present. He considers the effects of the Crusades on ordinary life in Western Europe, and the parts played by ordinary men and women in the conflict, and explores the term "Crusade" for contemporary political ends.

Whether the Crusades are regarded as the most romantic of Christian expeditions, or the last of the barbarian invasions, they have fascinated generations ever since, and their legacy of ideas and imagery has resonated through the centuries, inspiring Hollywood movies and great works of literature. In this audiobook, Tyerman skillfully weaves together one of the most extraordinary and vivid episodes in world history.

Editorial Reviews:

An expert in the field of medieval studies, Christopher Tyermans richly detailed yet succinct overview, aside from providing historical context and insight into each one, eschews the Romantic view of The Crusades in favor of a more pragmatic approach in surmising what the true motivations were for these historic religious campaigns, the echoes of which still resonate to this day.

Narrator Stephen Bowlbys robust, seasoned voice has an entrancing quality that will appeal to listeners seeking a firmer grasp on this fascinating period in human civilization.

Members Reviews:

Crusading 101

Tyerman's short introduction to the crusades provides a brief overview of the events and major theatres of the crusade, at the same time he relates detailed specifics and anecdotal stories. I enjoyed reading his book, and found it to be a good balance of detail with general broad definitions. One of Tyerman's reasons for writing the book is to correct many of the images that people have in their minds of the "crusader." He debunk's the Romantic views, armoured knights were not riding around on horses defeating every foe they came across. He also dispels the lust for plunder; younger sons were not running off to the Holy Land to make their fortunes. Most people who 'took the Cross' invested huge sums of money and resources to be able to make the trip. Crusades were not a get rich quick operation. He is very careful to stress that religious devotion and penitential aspects were the main motivations for Europeans to go on crusade, either in the Middle East, Spain or the Baltic.

Tyerman gave a nice brief outline of what happened in each of the major Crusades, categorizing them by geographic locations. The timeline and subject jumps around a bit, but isn't that hard to follow. I'd recommend this book to anyone who wants to get a basic understanding of what happened in the Crusades. Tyerman did a good job of making the Crusades understandable and he did a good job of undoing some negative but persistent stereotypes that have existed for a while. I've read a couple of books in the A Very Short Introduction series and these books seem to be relatively short, easily accessible, yet detailed and specific enough to give the reader a general understanding of the topic. Tyerman does just that.

Worthwhile

It is exactly as advertised: a short introduction.

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Title: Heirs to Forgotten Kingdoms

Subtitle: Journeys into the Disappearing Religions of the Middle East

Author: Gerard Russell

Narrator: Michael Page

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 15 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-13-15

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 60 votes

Genres: History, World

Publisher's Summary:

Despite its reputation for religious intolerance, the Middle East has long sheltered many distinctive and strange faiths. These religions represent the last vestiges of the magnificent civilizations in ancient history: Persia, Babylon, Egypt in the time of the pharaohs. Their followers have learned how to survive foreign attacks and the perils of assimilation. But today, with the Middle East in turmoil, they face greater challenges than ever before.

In Heirs to Forgotten Kingdoms, former diplomat Gerard Russell ventures to the distant, nearly impassable regions where these mysterious religions still cling to survival. He lives alongside the Mandaeans and Ezidis of Iraq, the Zoroastrians of Iran, the Copts of Egypt, and others. He learns their histories, participates in their rituals, and comes to understand the threats to their communities. Historically a tolerant faith, Islam has, since the early 20th century, witnessed the rise of militant, extremist sects. This development poses existential threats to these minority faiths. And as more and more of their youth flee to the West in search of greater freedoms and job prospects, these religions face the dire possibility of extinction.

Critic Reviews:

"A fascinating and gracefully written study of minority religions, recommended for its appreciation of cultural richness and variety." (Library Journal)

Members Reviews:

Increase your understanding of the Middle East

This is simply the best book I have listened to on audible for quite awhile.

The author, Gerard Russell, is a former British diplomat who speaks both Arabic and Farsi and has traveled extensively in the Middle East. I wish there were more people like him guiding our foreign policy (in the US) today. His knowledge is extensive yet very practical at the same time. This is not a tough listen by any means.

Russell chronicles the Yazidis (Iraq), Druze (Lebanon, Syria), Coptic Christians (Egypt), Zoroastrians (Iran, India), Samaritans (Israel), and Kalasha (Pakistan) among others.

Previously, I had known only a little about the modern Druze, some idea of what Zoroastrians in the ancient world were like (being that it was the state religion of Persia), and very shallow knowledge of the Copts in Egyptian history. This book fleshed out what I already knew and added much to my knowledge base. I had no idea ancient Manichaeism was alive in the world today at all. I never would have guessed the Druze had Pythagorean influences. The struggle of these peoples to survive in the modern world, especially after the insanity of the Iraq War and the rise of ISIS, touched me greatly.