R.J. Julia Booksellers Blog

My son left yesterday for his second deployment to Iraq. I thought, after the last one two years ago, that I could not face another – and I was right. But, being a good bookseller, I sought some solace in reading and finding out. And After the Prophet has helped to at least put some perspective on the words and pre-conceived ideas that float around as I listen to the news.

This is a history of how and why there is this rift in Islam between the Sunni and Shia. Starting with the death of Muhammad in the seventh century, this divide remains and defines the resentment and hatreds that continue to today with no sign of stopping. I know nothing of this religion that my son has been put in the middle of, the hatred that he faces daily, but this wonderfully written history is somehow a help – knowledge is a defuser of fear. It may not make it better, but it may make it easier. My thanks to Lesley Hazleton for writing clearly for the layman, and making a difficult, complex subject comprehensible. I’ll let you know how the boy is doing….

Nancy