Jonathan Benthall's Books

Islamic charities and Islamic humanism in troubled times

By: Jonathan Benthall

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Islamic charities and Islamic humanism in troubled times

By: Jonathan Benthall

Islamic charities and Islamic humanism in troubled times is the fruit of twenty years' reflection on Islamic charities, both in practical terms (including allegations of complicity with terrorism) and as a key to understanding the crisis in contemporary Islam. On one hand Islam is undervalued as a global moral and political force whose admirable qualities are exemplified in its strong tradition of humanitarianism. On the other, it suffers from a crisis of authority that cannot be blamed entirely on the history of colonialism and stigmatisation to which Muslims have undoubtedly been subjected - most recently, as a result of the 'war on terror'. This study offers an in-depth analysis of the current status of Islamic charities from a wide range of approaches - theological, historical, diplomatic, legal, sociological and ethnographic - and makes use of primary data from the United States, Britain, Israel-Palestine, Mali and Indonesia. The discussion is widened to explore the potential for a twenty-first century 'Islamic humanism', devised by Muslims in the light of the human sciences and consolidated in durable institutions throughout the Muslim world. With this in mind, contentious issues such as religious toleration and the meaning of jihad need to be addressed. The readership includes academics and students at all levels, professionals concerned with aid and development, and all who have an interest in the future of Islam.

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Page Count

331

Publisher

Manchester University Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

1784997897

ISBN 13

9781784997892

The Charitable Crescent

Politics of Aid in the Muslim World

By: Jonathan Benthall,Jérôme Bellion-Jourdan

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The Charitable Crescent

Politics of Aid in the Muslim World

By: Jonathan Benthall,Jérôme Bellion-Jourdan

Islamic Charity Under Suspicion': such headlines have become familiar since the attacks on the United States on 9.11. The Charitable Crescent is a unique and original account of a hitherto little-known field of pivotal significance to our understanding of the Muslim world today: the relationship between politics and philanthropy in the workings of Islamic charities. Based on years of research, Jonathan Benthall and Jerome Bellion-Jourdan explain the long tradition of philanthropy in Muslim history and how it is constantly adapted to differing political contexts. The pervasive connections between charity and politics in the Middle East demonstrate how naïve it is to think of humanitarianism as a sphere distinct from politics. The Charitable Crescent covers all aspects of this topic that has become so relevant in today's world: who is entitled to benefit from Muslim alms? Can material relief aid be de-linked from political, or sometimes even violent, action? How can public trust (both Western and Islamic) in welfare delivery systems be won? Who is entitled to interpret Islamic doctrine? Is there one universal tradition of humanitarianism, or many traditions defined by cultural history? This book offers rich practical insights highly relevant to today's highly tense international climate, and also encourages the reader to challenge the common Western assumption that 'we' are the exclusive providers of aid to rescue a passive Third World. "Interesting, rewarding and timely - this is an important book" - 'Caroline Moorhead.

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Page Count

209

Publisher

Bloomsbury Publishing

Published Date

ISBN 10

0857711253

ISBN 13

9780857711250

Returning to Religion

Why a Secular Age is Haunted by Faith

By: Jonathan Benthall

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Returning to Religion

Why a Secular Age is Haunted by Faith

By: Jonathan Benthall

How can one explain the resurgence of religion, even in a western context of rationality, postmodernity and scientific endeavour? The persistence of religious expression has compelled even diehard secularists, or proponents of the 'secularization thesis', to rethink their positions. Jonathan Benthall explains precisely why societies are not bound to embrace western liberal rationality as an evolutionary inevitability. He shows that the opposite is true: that where a secular society represses the religious imagination, the human predisposition to religion will in the end break out in surprising, apparently secular, modes and outlets.Concentrating on what he calls 'para-religion', a kind of secular spirituality that manifests itself within movements and organisations who consider themselves motivated by wholly rational considerations, Benthall uncovers a paradox: despite themselves, they are haunted by the shadow of irrationality. Arguing that humanitarianism, environmentalism, the animal rights movement, popular archaeology and anthropology all have 'religiod' aspects, his startling conclusion is that religion, rather than coming 'back', in fact never went away. A human universal, the 'religious inclination' underlies the fabric of who we are, and is essential for the healthy functioning of any society.

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238

Publisher

Bloomsbury Publishing

Published Date

ISBN 10

0857716379

ISBN 13

9780857716378

Performing Hamlet

Actors in the Modern Age

By: Jonathan Croall

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Performing Hamlet

Actors in the Modern Age

By: Jonathan Croall

Hamlet is arguably the most famous play on the planet, and the greatest of all Shakespeare's works. Its rich story and complex leading role have provoked intense debate and myriad interpretations. To play such a uniquely multi-faceted character as Hamlet represents the supreme challenge for a young actor. Performing Hamlet contains Jonathan Croall's revealing in-depth interviews with five distinguished actors who have played the Prince this century: Jude Law: 'You get to speak possibly the most beautiful lines about humankind ever given to an actor.' Simon Russell Beale: 'Hamlet is a very hospitable role: it will take anything you throw at it.' David Tennant: 'No other part has been so satisfying. It was tough, but utterly compelling.' Maxine Peake: 'Hamlet was a way of accessing bits of me as an actress I've not been able to access before.' Adrian Lester: 'Working with Peter Brook on Hamlet changed me as an actor, and for the better.' The book benefits from the author's interviews with six leading directors of the play during these years: Greg Doran, Nicholas Hytner, Michael Grandage, John Caird, Sarah Frankcom and Simon Godwin. Many other productions are described, from those starring Michael Redgrave, Alec Guinness and Paul Scofield in the 1950s, to the performances of Benedict Cumberbatch, Andrew Scott and Paapa Essiedu in recent times. The volume also includes an updated text of the author's earlier book Hamlet Observed, and an account of actors' experiences of performing at Elsinore.

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208

Publisher

Bloomsbury Publishing

Published Date

ISBN 10

1350030732

ISBN 13

9781350030732

To Settle the Crown

Waging Civil War in Shropshire, 1642-1648

By: Jonathan Worton

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To Settle the Crown

Waging Civil War in Shropshire, 1642-1648

By: Jonathan Worton

While the First, or 'Great', English Civil War of 1642-6 was largely contested at regional and county level, in often hard-fought and long-lasting local campaigns, historians often still continue to dwell on the well-known major battles, such as Edgehill and Naseby, and the prominent national leaders. To help redress this imbalance, To Settle The Crown: Waging Civil War in Shropshire, 1642-1648 provides the most detailed bipartisan study published to date of how the war was actually organized and conducted at county level. This book examines the practicalities, the 'nuts and bolts', of contemporary warfare by reconstructing the war effort of Royalists and Parliamentarians in Shropshire, an English county on the borderland of Wales - a region that witnessed widespread fighting. Shropshire was contested during the First Civil War - when it became one of the most heavily garrisoned counties in England and Wales - and experienced renewed conflict during the Second Civil War of 1648. Based on a Doctoral thesis, and therefore drawing primarily on contemporary sources revealing much new information, To Settle The Crown examines key aspects of the military history of the English Civil Wars: allegiance and motivation; leadership and administration; recruitment and the form of armed forces; military finance; logistics; and the nature and conduct of the fighting. Furthermore, while previous studies have tended to concentrate on the Parliamentarians, the comparatively plentiful evidence from Shropshire has allowed the Royalist war effort there to be reconstructed in rare detail. This book reveals for the first time the extent of military activity in Shropshire, describing the sieges, skirmishes and larger engagements, while reflecting on the nature of warfare elsewhere across Civil War England and Wales. In also providing a social context to the military history of the period, it explains how Royalist and Parliamentarian activists set local government on a wartime footing, and how the populace generally became involved in the administrative and material tasks of war effort. Extensively illustrated, fully referenced to an extensive bibliography, and including a useful review of Civil War historiography, To Settle The Crown: Waging Civil War in Shropshire, 1642-1648 is a significant fresh approach to the military history of the English Civil Wars.

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Page Count

292

Publisher

Helion and Company

Published Date

ISBN 10

191437732X

ISBN 13

9781914377327

John Gielgud: Matinee Idol to Movie Star

By: Jonathan Croall

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John Gielgud: Matinee Idol to Movie Star

By: Jonathan Croall

In his lifetime Gielgud was acclaimed as the finest classical actor of the twentieth century and Jonathan Croall's biography from 2000 was instantly recognised by critics as a masterful achievement, one that was 'unlikely to be surpassed' (Sunday Telegraph). Since that time however a considerable amount of new material has come to light and the passing of time has allowed a new candour. John Gielgud: Matinee Idol to Movie Star sees this peerless biographer return to his subject to offer the definitive life of Gielgud. For this new biography Croall's exhaustive research has included over a hundred new interviews with key people from his life and career, several hundred letters from Gielgud that have never been published, scores of letters written to him and archived versions of his film and television work. As Gielgud worked increasingly in this medium during the last third of his life much greater attention is given to this than in the earlier work. Fresh light is thrown on his professional relationships with figures such as Laurence Olivier and Edith Evans, and on turbulent episodes of his private life. The overall result is a a much more rounded, candid and richly textured portrait of this celebrated and complex actor.

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Page Count

1007

Publisher

A&C Black

Published Date

ISBN 10

1408131072

ISBN 13

9781408131077

Religion in International Relations Theory

Interactions and Possibilities

By: Nukhet Sandal,Jonathan Fox

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Religion in International Relations Theory

Interactions and Possibilities

By: Nukhet Sandal,Jonathan Fox

There is a growing realization among international relations scholars and practitioners that religion is a critical factor in global politics. The Iranian Revolution, the September 11 attacks, the ethno-religious conflicts such as the ones in the former Yugoslavia and Sri Lanka are among the many reasons for this increased focus on religion in international affairs. The rise of religious political parties across the world ranging from the Christian Democrats in Europe to Bharatiya Janata Party in India similarly illustrated religion's heightened international profile. Despite all this attention, it is challenging to situate religion within a discipline which has been dominantly secular from its inception. Only a few existent works have ventured to integrate religion into core international relations theories such as Classical Realism, Neorealism, Neoliberalism, Constructivism and the English school. This work is the first systematic attempt to comparatively assess the place of religion in the aforementioned theoretical strands of international relations with contemporary examples from around the world. Written in an accessible and systematic fashion, this book will be an important addition to the fields of both religion and international relations. Nukhet A. Sandal is Assistant Professor in the Political Science Department at Ohio University. Jonathan Fox is Professor in the Department of Political Studies at Bar Ilan University, Israel.

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Page Count

297

Publisher

Routledge

Published Date

ISBN 10

1135045623

ISBN 13

9781135045623

Sybil Thorndike

A Star Of Life

By: Jonathan Croall

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Sybil Thorndike

A Star Of Life

By: Jonathan Croall

Outside the theatrical profession Sybil Thorndike is no longer the household name she once was; she has become a historical figure. Yet her combative, inspiring life, her passionate concern for the state of the world as well as for her art, resonates with any age. As the actor Michael Macliammóir put it: 'Essentially English, she is yet nationless; essentially of her period, she is yet timeless.

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Page Count

545

Publisher

Haus Publishing

Published Date

ISBN 10

1912208113

ISBN 13

9781912208111

The Wisden Collector's Guide

By: Jonathan Rice,Andrew Renshaw

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The Wisden Collector's Guide

By: Jonathan Rice,Andrew Renshaw

The Wisden Collector's Guide is the definitive companion to one of the world's most important sporting publications. It begins with an overview of Wisden Cricketers' Almanack, introducing the original John Wisden and describing the history of the publication. The next section contains highlights and information from each of the 147 editions, including bibliographic details (page extent, price, reprints etc), excerpts from the best articles, cricketers of the year, obituaries, and noteworthy events and matches. There is also additional information of interest to collectors and historical context in the form of news 'headlines' from each year. The guide concludes with a section dedicated to the serious collector. Covering everything from reprints to rebinds and from pagination to publishers, it is a vital resource for collectors. Affording a glimpse of the cricketing and historical landscape of the last 147 years, this is an accessible and fascinating volume for cricketing fans generally and a must-have item for Wisden collectors.

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Page Count

368

Publisher

A&C Black

Published Date

ISBN 10

1408165279

ISBN 13

9781408165270

Islamic Charities and Islamic Humanism in Troubled Times

By: Jonathan Benthall

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Islamic Charities and Islamic Humanism in Troubled Times

By: Jonathan Benthall

This book is the fruit of twenty years' reflection on Islamic charities, both practically and as a key to understand the crisis in contemporary Islam. On the one hand Islam is undervalued as a moral and political force whose admirable qualities are epitomised in its strong tradition of charitable giving. On the other hand, it suffers from a crisis of authority that cannot be blamed entirely on the history of colonialism and stigmatisation to which Muslims have undoubtedly been subjected - most recently, as a result of the "War on Terror". The book consists of seventeen previously published chapters, with a general introduction and new prefatory material for each chapter. Part one reviews the current situation of Islamic charities from many different viewpoints. Part two expands the coverage to explore the potential for a twenty-first century global "Islamic humanism" devised by Muslims. This means addressing contentious topics such as religious toleration.

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Page Count

215

Publisher

Humanitarianism Key Debates an

Published Date

ISBN 10

0719099722

ISBN 13

9780719099724

Returning to Religion

Why a Secular Age is Haunted by Faith

By: Jonathan Benthall

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Returning to Religion

Why a Secular Age is Haunted by Faith

By: Jonathan Benthall

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Solve jigsaw puzzle

Age

Page Count

238

Publisher

Bloomsbury Publishing

Published Date

ISBN 10

0857716379

ISBN 13

9780857716378

Book's by Jonathan Benthall

Islamic charities and Islamic humanism in troubled times

Islamic charities and Islamic humanism in troubled times

The Charitable Crescent

The Charitable Crescent

Returning to Religion

Returning to Religion

Performing Hamlet

Performing Hamlet

To Settle the Crown

To Settle the Crown

John Gielgud: Matinee Idol to Movie Star

John Gielgud: Matinee Idol to Movie Star

Religion in International Relations Theory

Religion in International Relations Theory

Sybil Thorndike

Sybil Thorndike

The Wisden Collector's Guide

The Wisden Collector's Guide

Islamic Charities and Islamic Humanism in Troubled Times

Islamic Charities and Islamic Humanism in Troubled Times

Returning to Religion

Returning to Religion

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