Part 1 Foreword Part 2 Preface Part 3 Acknowledgments Part 4 Note on Translation and Transliteration Part 5 Acronyms and Abbreviations Part 6 Maps Chapter 7 Druze Communities in the Middle East Chapter 8 Druze Towns and Villages in Lebanon Chapter 9 Druze Towns and Villages in Syria Chapter 10 Druze Towns and Villages in Israel Part 11 Chronology Part 12 Introduction Part 13 THE DICTIONARY Part 14 Appendixes Chapter 15 A. The Fatimids Chapter 16 B. The Buhturis Chapter 17 C. The Ma'nis Chapter 18 D. The Shihabis Part 19 Bibliography Part 20 About the Author
Samy Swayd teaches courses on religious diversity and Islamic Studies at San Diego State University (SDSU). He is the founder and acting director of the Institute of Druze Studies (IDS), the co-editor of the Journal of Druze Studies (JDS), and the author of The Druzes: An Annotated Bibliography (1998) and Druze Scriptural Identity (forthcoming).
This book is on an interesting topic, and there is not much else available on the subject, so libraries catering for readers in comparative theology or for people concerned with the history and politics of the Levant should consider acquiring copies. Reference Reviews, Vol. 21, No. 2 (2007) In nearly 1,000 entries, Swayd (world religion, religious diversity and comparative mysticism, San Diego State U.) describes the practices of people who, since the founding of their faith in the eleventh century, have been prohibited from proselytizing, resisted assimilation and even disguised their beliefs from both friends and enemies. He outlines the history and growth of discipleship, the ways in which the Druze differentiate the initiated from the not, and the means by which they remain intact in identity. Swayd's chronology and maps are very helpful, and his introduction gives readers a very good idea of what we know about this resilient and esoteric sect. Reference and Research Book News
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