The Shia Revival: How Conflicts within Islam Will Shape the Future by Vali Nasr
This is a really interesting book, given to me by my friend Peter Sims, particularly in light of the Iranian elections last week. It's an in depth, but readable explanation of the history of the Shia/Sunni relationship, but also a very broad look at the contemporary politics across the region. I have a pretty strong sense that there's some pro-Shia bias in the book (although as an outsider, it's difficult to assess how much, really) -- nonetheless, this was probably the single most useful book I've read to understand the situation and possible new developments in the region.
View all my reviews.