Hezbollah: A Short History | Updated and Expanded Third Edition (Princeton Studies in Muslim Politics)

I'm a foreign policy professional and needed a quick yet comprehensive read that would give me the broad outlines of the history and context of Hezbollah. This book fit the bill perfectly. It was authoritative while remaining relatively plain-spoken and easy to read.

Compact and meticulously researched. The book you must have about Hezbollah if you want to understand its roots and vision. Excellent writer.

Lumped into the one size fits all portrayal of terror groups popularized by the media and the government, the author performs a valuable public service in removing Hezbollah from this fog of uncertainty and falsehood, portraying it accurately amid the context of radicalization and growing awareness within the Shia community in the 70's and early 80's. Norton highlights the inherent conflict within Hezbollah between pragmatism and dedication to the founding tenets of the organization.It is the resolution of this conflict that will determine the fate of Lebanon amid the power struggles ongoing in the aftermath of the summer 2006 conflict that the author says split Lebanon into two groups; those who support the goals of the Cedar Revolution and those who feel victimized by the corrupt government and elites, seeking to share power at the expense of the Sunni power structure.The pragmatism of Hezbollah seems without limits, whether cooperating with Communist or Christian groups in political parlays or in adhering to the "rules of the game" devised by them and the Israelis during the Israeli occupation of Southern Lebanon. It is this pragmatism that sets Hezbollah apart from other Islamist political organizations and Norton does a fine job of exploring it in detail.A fascinating look that could have been far longer and examined far more but remains one of the best on the subject.

Hezbollah is obviously a well-trained military organization. Whether I disagree or agree with such a disciplined military organ I respect the threat and its dedication as the opponent. Fascinating....George

excellent

In "Hezbollah", Mr. Norton sets out the offer a more "balanced and nuanced" view of "this complex organization". The Western news media often depict a stereotypical and one dimensional view of Hezbollah as a terrorist organization, whereas Hezbollah remains first and foremost a resistance force. Further, Hezbollah has accepted that Lebanon is too diverse to be ruled by a Shia Islamist autocratic rule similar to Iran's, and harbors no ambitions towards that goal.Unfortunately, this book is too brief to accomplish Mr. Norton's purpose of writing it. I can't put my finger on why I never felt any traction with the material. There is very little on the history of Hezbollah, and not enough on the other numerous sects, Syria and Iran and their complex interplay in Lebanese politics. If you have little knowledge of the history of Lebanon, you will certainly need basic supplemental reading to avoid confusion while reading this book. Much is referenced to Lebanon's bloody and protracted civil war in the 1970s and 1980s, but not in a holistic way.If you're in Southern California, by the way, be sure to visit one of the best Lebanese restaurants in Long Beach called Open Sesame in Belmont Shore.

Excellent condition. Informative and detailed background of this questionable organization.

a book that stays neutral to Hezbollah . A chapter or two did get confusing with names and political in fighting of Muslim groups can get confusing as well. I finished the book in 3 days I'm glad I picked it up. it helps give a moderate understanding of Lebanon,which is confusing. I would have liked the book to include more info about relations with Christians in Lebanon.

Very good product and service

Good book. Got here in reasonable time. Thanks

This book is generally excellent and is written is a style that makes it easy to read. The manner in which it is written as well means that the book will have appeal to a general reader as well as an academic one.The book does deal with the contemporary challenges that face Hezbollah but this element might be stronger and more emphatic.However the book does maintain a balanced perspective which delivers greater benefit than a book that has been written by a Hezbollah apologist.A good read.igjmiddx

Very good

This is a good introduction to Hezbollah. First the deficiencies are the lack of a good historical overview of how the organisation came into existence, probably largely because the project was an Iranian Revolutionary Guards one carried out in great secrecy. Secondly very little reference is made to the Iranian influence in Hezbollah. One is left with the impression this was a Lebanese affair almost in its entirety with Iranian funding only. Reading Robert Baers 'The devil we know' , gives a quite different view of Hezbollahs origins,and plays up Irans role as key orchestrator.The book describes Lebanons political situation, and the plight of the poor Shi'ites who as Lebanon's poorest element suffer grinding poverty. Under the careful stewardship of Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, the Shias social position was dramatically improved, and he fashioned a social network of clinics and schools as well as a military wing to fight Israel. Israel was driven out of Lebanon twice in the last twenty years by an organised and dedicated military voice that has long since abandoned terrorist tactics.Other interesting chapters to this book describe Hezbollahs orderliness, and international reach, being well funded but also scrupulous and honest, as an organisation determined to meet clear objectives. A far cry from the vapid aims and ambitions of Salafi Jihadists who seem to be fixated on suicide bombings as a means to wherever they mean to get to.Having read similar books on the subject there are clear omissions. The reasons are unclear, but probably because so much of what Hezbollah comprises is shrouded in extreme secrecy, that an expose is virtually impossible without access to high level information.