As a Shi'i, I do not have any difficulties in accepting the Shi'i doctrines because I have always been taught the reasoning behind them. Therefore, it can be misleading to those who are not very familiar with Shi'i beliefs, to read books that do not give its reasoning, (clearly indicated by the misunderstanding by many). It is also worth noting that not everything published about the Shi'a are true, and so reliable sources must be followed. I recommend to those interested the book, Then I Was Guided, by Sheikh Teejani al-Samawi (available online, and summarised in al-islam.org). This book traces the life of the author and his first encounter with a Shi'i, his detailed study of Shi'ism and its acceptance (very enjoyable to read). You can also ask the Shi'a about their beliefs, especially when the reasoning is needed.

The most disturbing argument brought forth by Shia sect is the event of "Ghadir" when Prophet gives his lecture on supposedly passing authority to Ali. When I first heard this from one of my Shia friend, I flatly denied it and considered it a typical Shia fabrication. But to my personal embarrassment I later found out that this was written by our own ulema and great scholars. I was deeply disturbed. Why would Prophet say something like this, especially the way he approaches the whole thing. I don't blame some people having interpreted that event as prophet giving authority to Ali, certainly that event if not conclusive is very suggestive of that notion. It seems as though, and God know best, that Prophet wanted to create a dispute among his people after his death.

And yet another question comes to mind about Prophet's intention when I consider the fact that he wished to send all the great companions,with the exception of Ali, to a battle. He planned this course of action at a time when his death was at hand. Apparently companions of the prophet realized that something fishy is going on here and didn't go along with prophet's plan and inspite of Prophet's insistence they decided to stay and not leave town. Now I neither care much about Shiism nor about Sunnism, but if you ask me I think Prophet was definitely up to something. It is unlikely that all these events are just random events without any meaning. My guess is that he was planning something, though I am not sure what. But as history shows he did not succeed., and maybe that is why Islamic history, like many other major religions, is nothing but a big mess and a killing field. Needless to say that Prophet's own immediate family was first to fall victim to this unfortunate reality. Was he trying to prevent this by his careful maneuvering? I don't know the answer to this question. Oh well, there were other prophets before him who didn't succeed in what they had in mind as well, I guess such is life.

Lewis's book has been through many editions, and as a short intro to Arab history it is hard to beat. What would not be hard to beat would be the dreadful production values of this OUP paperback edition. It is printed on horrible paper, and the binding keeps falling off. Shame on Oxford UP for putting out such a good book in such a shoddy format.

As a novice in the area of Arab history, I found this book a bit too detailed at times. While providing an overview from the pre-Islamic era through the rise and fall of the empire, the author often digresses and spends time detailing relatively minor events. I'm not qualified to speak to the scholar, but if you are an average reader such as myself, I'd look for a different book.

Reading only sample pages, things look pretty bad.
Explanations and principles, checklists are very formal even banal, not correct enough as well. Anybody could state such abstractions without willingness to go in depth.
It looks that most of attention is dedicated to HVAC. Although HVAC optimization influence modern facilities' operation costs very much, I think that facility managers need broad approach and balanced covering of themes in their day-to-day reference manual.
If readers need to explore HVAC themes, they should investigate specialized books. As experienced HVAC engineer, I consider quality of HVAC text in this book poor.
It seems that this book is not enhanced with personal "hands-on" experience, which is absolutely necessary in this field. Facility managers need authoritative "nuts-and-bolts" to improve their work.
Sorry.

I actually interested in "Facility Managers Operation & Maintenance Handbook", but "Facility Manager's Portable Handbook" is cheaper and it looks like not so much different. Considering the budget I have, I need suggestion from anyone who have read both of them, so I can make decision which one of them I should buy. regards, Lywa S. Fauzie lywa@muslim.com

He wrote on Turkey for nearly half a century. He also wrote on Middle-East as well but his real expertise is Turkey I believe. in every book of his he zooms into a subject (Turkey) and tells the story like in his other books with more detail. So if you already read one of his books on Turkey or Ottomans you dont need to read this one.

Yet another of what has become a customary one-sided and narrow view of the Middle-East. Mr. Lewis offers nothing new. He just adds to the exagerations. Watch out from Saddam he might make it to Jordan, Israel, and, I think because the author lacked the space for it, the rest of the world. You can do much better things with your (money).

Despite the other reviewer's snide remarks, Lewis is widely considered the most important historian of Islam, and his "Predictions" ought not be dismissed without consideration. This work may be criticized for brevity, but in the wake of 9/11, cannot be attacked for accuracy.

As an example, Lewis notes: "outward modernization means buying and firing a gun. Inward modernization means learning to manufacture and ultimately design one." And "There are three elements which could help transform the Middle East: Turkey, Israel and women-the first previously aloof, the second previously excluded, the third previously supressed".

Lewis has deep understanding of the process of modernization, and the difficulties and antipathies that this process induces. . .he also has a profound familiarity with the history and accomplishments of Islamic civilization (Arab and non-Arab); he is hardly a "one-note" critic.

Again, my principal complaint is brevity, and some duplication of his other works. . .I'd direct readers interested to his longer, more detailed works.

Bernard Lewis is a racist, anti-Muslim, Anti-Arab writer. I do not recommend any of his work. I find his work to be not accurate, and offensive.

This is not Bernard Lewis's best work, but it still retains his unbiased, scholarly yet readable style of his previous efforts. He is unflinching - which upsets many zealots - in his analysis and lacking in apologist platitudes, but without honesty, there can be no literature.

I hope he continues to document Middle Eastern history uneffected by political and religous fundamentalism. The literature of history needs him.