Review (PDF) Burning Country: Syrians In Revolution And War
In 2011, many Syrians took to the streets of Damascus to demand the overthrow of the government of Bashar al-Assad. Today, much of Syria has become a warzone and many worry that the country is on the brink of collapse. Burning Country explores the complicated reality of life in present-day Syria with unprecedented detail and sophistication, drawing on new first-hand testimonies from opposition fighters, exiles lost in an archipelago of refugee camps, and courageous human rights activists. Yassin-Kassab and Al-Shami expertly interweave these stories with an incisive analysis of the militarization of the uprising, the rise of the Islamists and sectarian warfare, and the role of Syria’s government in exacerbating the brutalization of the conflict. Through these accounts and a broad range of secondary source material, the authors persuasively argue that the international community has failed in its stated commitments to support the Syrian opposition movements. Covering ISIS and Islamism, regional geopolitics, new grassroots revolutionary organizations, and the worst refugee crisis since World War Two, Burning Country is a vivid and groundbreaking look at a modern-day political and humanitarian nightmare.
Hardcover: 280 pages
Publisher: Pluto Press (February 15, 2016)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0745336272
ISBN-13: 978-0745336275
Product Dimensions: 5.3 x 1.1 x 8.5 inches
Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces
Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #2,006,814 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #271 in Books > History > Middle East > Syria #3757 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Politics & Government > International & World Politics > Middle Eastern #12020 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Politics & Government > Political Science > History & Theory
The horror in Syria affects the entire world, which is why anybody who wants to be more than just a passive victim has to understand it. Towards that understanding, "Burning Country" is indispensable reading. It gives a clear and thorough accounting of the regime of both Assads, as well as a little background. For those who think the 2011 uprising was simply a product of CIA machinations, and for those who think that Assad is in some way a lesser evil to the Islamic fundamentalists -- this book is the antidote. It clearly proves the uprising was and is a popular rebellion against both oppression as well as poverty. The one flaw in the book is that it seems to present the approach of the US government as a series of blunders and mistakes, rather than a systematic expression of opposition to any popular movement from below. A more realistic view would have also enabled an explanation of why this is so. Additionally, the potential role of the Local Coordinating Councils (which is very well documented in the book) as a new form of government, one which does away with the entire system of oppression and exploitation should have been considered. For those reasons I give it only four stars, but it's definitely well worth reading. For a more in-depth review, see the review at my blog site at oaklandsocialist dot com
I had the honor of meeting the authors of this wonderful book and was fortunate to hear them speak in even greater detail about the content. They were so kind and willing to answer any questions that I had. They are so passionate about their work and will go to the ends of the Earth to ensure that the voices of those in Syria are heard. This is a must read!
This is the most comprehensive and accurate account of the Syrian uprising that I have come across. The details and key points they pick for each event are exactly the ones that need to be highlighted. Now when people ask me for the "one book" to read on Syria, I know what to recommend.
This thorough exposé of the Syrian revolution, its subsequent militarization following the Assad regime's savage crackdown and the ongoing struggles faced by revolutionaries and activists in the liberated areas might be the best book on the Syrian conflict so far. It is a relentless book. Robin and Leila take us through the Syrian conflict from its early days and provide a socio-political analysis of the conflict, one that is desperately needed today. I highly recommend this book.
Burning Country: Syrians in Revolution and War Syrians at the Border: Strategies- Tactics- Battles, Israel's Northern Command- 1973 (Military History) Vietnam War: The Vietnam War in 50 Events: From the First Indochina War to the Fall of Saigon (War Books, Vietnam War Books, War History) (History in 50 Events Series Book 6) World War 2 History's 10 Most Incredible Women: World War II True Accounts Of Remarkable Women Heroes (WWII history, WW2, War books, world war 2 books, war history, World war 2 women) World War 1: World War I in 50 Events: From the Very Beginning to the Fall of the Central Powers (War Books, World War 1 Books, War History) (History in 50 Events Series) World War 1: Soldier Stories: The Untold Soldier Stories on the Battlefields of WWI (World War I, WWI, World War One, Great War, First World War, Soldier Stories) World War 2: World War II in 50 Events: From the Very Beginning to the Fall of the Axis Powers (War Books, World War 2 Books, War History) (History in 50 Events Series Book 4) The war in Paraguay: With a historical sketch of the country and its people and notes upon the military engineering of the war I Die With My Country: Perspectives on the Paraguayan War, 1864-1870 (Studies in War, Society, and the Militar) ANTIGUA and BARBUDA Country Studies: A brief, comprehensive study of Antigua and Barbuda (Country Notes) Country Matters: The Pleasures and Tribulations of Moving from a Big City to an Old Country Farmhouse World Monetary Units: An Historical Dictionary, Country By Country Making Natural Milk Soap: Storey's Country Wisdom Bulletin A-199 (Storey Country Wisdom Bulletin, a-199) Improving Your Soil: Storey's Country Wisdom Bulletin A-202 (Storey Country Wisdom Bulletin) Grafting Fruit Trees: Storey's Country Wisdom Bulletin A-35 (Storey Country Wisdom Bulletin) Grow the Best Blueberries: Storey's Country Wisdom Bulletin A-89 (Country Wisdom Bulletins, Vol. a-89) Grow the Best Tomatoes: Storey's Country Wisdom Bulletin A-189 (Storey Country Wisdom Bulletin) Easy-to-Build Adirondack Furniture: Storey's Country Wisdom Bulletin A-216 (Storey Country Wisdom Bulletin) Pruning Trees, Shrubs & Vines: Storey's Country Wisdom Bulletin A-54 (Storey Country Wisdom Bulletin) An Irish Country Christmas (Irish Country Books Book 3)
