Black Wave: Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the Forty-Year Rivalry That Unraveled Culture, Religion, and Collective Memory in the Middle East

Name: Black Wave: Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the Forty-Year Rivalry That Unraveled Culture, Religion, and Collective Memory in the Middle East
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4.6 of 5 Stars: Middle East - Black Wave: Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the Forty-Year Rivalry That Unraveled Culture, Religion, and Collective Memory in the Middle East

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Book Synopsis: A New York Times Notable Book of 2020 “[A] sweeping and authoritative history" (The New York Times Book Review), Black Waveis an unprecedented and ambitious examination of how the modern Middle East unraveled and why it started with the pivotal year of 1979. Kim Ghattas seamlessly weaves together history, geopolitics, and culture to deliver a gripping read of the largely unexplored story of the rivalry between between Saudi Arabia and Iran, born from the sparks of the 1979 Iranian revolution and fueled by American policy. With vivid story-telling, extensive historical research and on-the-ground reporting, Ghattas dispels accepted truths about a region she calls home. She explores how Sunni Saudi Arabia and Shia Iran, once allies and twin pillars of US strategy in the region, became mortal enemies after 1979. She shows how they used and distorted religion in a competition that went well beyond geopolitics. Feeding intolerance, suppressing cultural expression, and encouraging sectarian violence from Egypt to Pakistan, the war for cultural supremacy led to Iran’s fatwa against author Salman Rushdie, the assassination of countless intellectuals, the birth of groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon, the September 11th terrorist attacks, and the rise of ISIS. Ghattas introduces us to a riveting cast of characters whose lives were upended by the geopolitical drama over four decades: from the Pakistani television anchor who defied her country’s dictator, to the Egyptian novelist thrown in jail for indecent writings all the way to the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018. Black Wave is both an intimate and sweeping history of the region and will significantly alter perceptions of the Middle East.

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Discover the untold story of the Middle East in the gripping book Black Wave: Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the Forty-Year Rivalry That Unraveled Culture, Religion, and Collective Memory in the Middle East. This New York Times Notable Book of 2020 is a must-read for anyone interested in the region's history, geopolitics, and culture. With extensive research and on-the-ground reporting, author Kim Ghattas delves into the fascinating rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran, tracing its roots back to the pivotal year of 1979.

Get ready to uncover the truth behind the Middle East's unraveling as Ghattas weaves together a spellbinding narrative. From the sparks of the Iranian revolution to the complex web of American policy, explore how this rivalry transformed two once-allied nations into mortal enemies. It goes beyond mere geopolitics - religion becomes a weapon, sparking intolerance, suppressing cultural expression, and fueling sectarian violence across the region.

Through the pages of Black Wave, you will encounter a diverse and riveting cast of characters whose lives were forever altered by this geopolitical drama. From the courageous Pakistani television anchor who defied her country's dictator to the Egyptian novelist imprisoned for her writings, their stories will captivate your imagination. And as the narrative unfolds, you will gain valuable insights into pivotal events such as the fatwa against Salman Rushdie, the rise of groups like Hezbollah, the devastating 9/11 attacks, and the shocking murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

Prepare to challenge your preconceived notions about the Middle East. Kim Ghattas' Black Wave offers a groundbreaking perspective that will alter your perceptions of the region forever. Order your copy today and embark on an enlightening journey through the historical complexities and cultural upheavals of the Middle East.

Order your copy of Black Wave now and delve into the untold story of Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the Forty-Year Rivalry. Don't miss out on this captivating and thought-provoking read!

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