Identity and Civilization: Essays on Judaism, Christianity and Islam »

Identity and Civilization looks at Judaism, Christianity, and Islam as contemporary rivals in the political arena, focusing on the contemporary encounter between Israel and the Muslim and Arab peoples. Mordechai Nisan unearths the essential features of these religions and the communities that adhere to them, while clarifying the prominent political antagonism of recent history. He explores the role of the profound forces of faith and culture that provide the people in the Middle East with their integral identity and therefore shape the political situation. Nisan uses compelling intellectual arguments to expose the hard realities that must be understood by all parties before a successful peace can be achieved in that area.

Author Biography: Mordechai Nisan is a lecturer in Middle East Studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in the Rothberg International School.

Booknews

A collection of 22 essays centered around an exploration of the three religions and their political self-images. Nisan (Middle Eastern studies, Hebrew U., Jerusalem) explores a number of topics, but seems especially concerned with the preservation of the state of Israel against what he views as the implacably hostile world of Islam. Among the subjects he touches upon are a critique of Edward Said's , the ways in which the base philosophies of the religions manifest themselves politically, and the Christian West's view of the Middle East. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)