My second book, The Caliphate: Threat or Opportunity? is due to be published by Praeger Security International
(an imprint of ABC-Clio) in early 2011.
Link to order my first book (yes, this is shameless self-promotion!):
Links to reviews of Holiest Wars:
"This is probably the single most important book in English
on this topic."
"While cautious about designating any currently visible Islamic fundamentalist as the next Mahdi, Furnish
argues that it is only a matter of time before Mahdism reemerges full-blown. And when that happens, all bets will be off and
no rules will apply, inside or outside the Islamic community. It is a grim prospect - but one all too credible in the context
of Furnish's scholarship."
—MultiCultural Review, Spring 2006:
"Throughout
the history of Islam, a number of revolutionary movements have emerged that were centered on a "rightly guided one"
who was meant to lead the world to rightness. These movements were based on a branch of Islam known as Mahdism, a topic that
Timothy Furnish argues is overlooked in most discussions of the Middle East. Because of the potential of a Mahdist movement
to create sweeping changes through violent means, Furnish believes Mahdism to be a particularly applicable subject to the
modern context of the Middle East. Furnish addresses the origins of Mahdism, Mahdism throughout history, as well as the potential
for a Mahdist movement in modern times."
—Middle East Journal
Jews,
Christians and Muslims will all profit from this book because it describes a tradition deeply rooted in all three religions
and surprisingly relevant to the current geopolitical situation....[F]urnish writes about Mahdism, the Islamic tradition that
anticipates the appearance of a messianic figure who will purify and unite Islam, eradicate all socioeconomic injustices in
the world and establish the Muslim faith as a universal religion. This idea is rooted in Judaism, is similar to Christian
eschatological ideas and is hotly debated throughout the Muslim world....Most fascinating (and fearful) are his musings about
Osama bin Laden's Mahdist potential, especially considering this sobering assertion: "Muslim messianic movements are
to fundamentalist uprisings what nuclear weapons are to conventional ones: triggered by the same detonating agents, but far
more powerful in scope and effect."
—"The Lexington Herald Leader/The Wichita
Eagle/Birmingham News/The Dallas Morning News," December 3, 2005
