After the Prophet

<b>In this gripping narrative history Lesley Hazleton tells the tragic story at the heart of the ongoing rivalry between the Sunni and Shia branches of Islam.</b> <p/><b>Fascinating. . . . Lively and engaging. . . . Anyone seeking to understand today's Middle East can learn from this book.--<i>Seattle Times</i></b> <p/>Even as Muhammad lay dying the battle over who would take control of the new Islamic nation had begun beginning a succession crisis marked by power grabs assassination political intrigue and passionate faith. Soon Islam was embroiled in civil war pitting its founder's controversial wife Aisha against his son-in-law Ali and shattering Muhammad's ideal of unity. <p/>Combining meticulous research with compelling storytelling <i>After the Prophet</i> explores the volatile intersection of religion and politics psychology and culture and history and current events. It is an indispensable guide to the depth and power of the Shia-Sunni split.