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After the Prophet, Lesley Hazelton finished

Terrific book about the events following the death of Muhammed. The "hero" is Ali -- so this reads a bit as a justification of the Shia.  However, Hazelton clearly is simply telling it like it is.  He is the most attractive man of the bunch--patient, less ambitious, willing to compromise.  Ali eventually becomes Caliph, though much later than was right.
Hussein, his son, is the Christ figure for good reason.  He bravely faces an army, is killed, and so are the 72 who accompany him in his quest to assume leadership of Islam.  His death is the stuff of tragedy -- a brave man shaming his enemies by his integrity.
Wonderful book, the perfect length for a Westerner interested in the Shia/Sunni split.

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