Gerard Russell

The first book in a long time that I might buy after reading a library copy.
Essentially a travel memoir, but focused on minority religious groups still in existence in the Middle East. While some are monotheistic, others polytheistic, none are Abrahamic/"of the Book". A passive interest of mine whenever studying or travelling in the Middle East, I definitely appreciated being along for the ride.
The book only lets itself down by never deciding whether to be a stricter more academic work, or a travel memoir. I was frustrated a few times by it being one for a while and then suddenly switching to the other. I would happily have read one of each from this author.… (más)

This book stirred several topics for thought. One of them was, "I wish that I had the retention powers of my youth", because, through no fault of the author, I had to decide to not focus so much on the specifics of each minority Middle Eastern religion in order to maintain the narrative of the story, so I will probably re-read to digest the belief systems of each sect/faith tradition chronicled here. Another impulse that was brought to the surface was my envy for how these faith traditions, whose histories stretch back before Islam, before Christ and well before, are able to hang on to their belief systems and their identities as they contact both majority dominant faiths and modernity itself. Such tenacity of belief and maintenance of an identity shouldn't be the sole object of a profession of faith, but I find it admirable and this tenacity made me long for such a sustaining faith tradition for myself. This book is a little gem in that Russell has shown just how complex the religious picture of the Middle East really is, and how little the average American has any idea of all this. So many commentators, pundits, and activists think they know whereof they speak about the Middle East and Islam because they are confronted with superficial detail behind the events of the day, but of course, little is really known by such commentators when they inveigh against an entire religion or peoples with labels that they don't understand. This book will help interested readers understand and appreciate the varied cultures of the Middle East, and maybe force some to examine the hidden roots of their own faith. As usual, those who really should read it the most will have never heard of it, and the wealth of knowledge and perspective they could gain by reading this book will go for naught. Also, the note on sources and the end notes are particularly useful for those who wish to learn more for themselves.… (más)

"Heirs to Forgotten Kingdoms" by Gerard Russell checks plenty of boxes, as other reviewers have stated. It is mostly a travelogue, but includes sociological studies, interviews, a bit of history and a bit of theological study.

Russell travels to many different countries in southwest Asia in order to visit with Mandaeans, Yazidis, Zoroastrians, Druze, Samaritans, and Copts. He also includes a few visits around the United States and Great Britain to meet with the members of these religious diasporas. He also visits Himalayan Pakistan to visit with an outlier religious group, the Kalasha. Each group is presented as a separate chapter and they can be read as standalone essays.

His travels seem to have consisted of a few days to a week, usually accompanied by a local guide. All of Russell's hosts are gracious and Russell seems quite humble. This travelogue format makes the book a casual read.

Before reading "Heirs to the Forgotten Kingdoms," I had a vague familiarity these religious groups, except the Kalasha. I believe I can talk about them confidently, but there are still gaps in knowledge that I have which Russell did not address.

I've been trying for a long time to "bone up" on theology, and Russell barely scratched that itch for me. He walked a fine line between plowing through difficult, complicated theology and providing basic background. Unfortunately, it seemed that he erred on the side of giving the most brief explanations. I would have enjoyed hearing more about the religious evolution of all these groups, though he did a good job with the Samaritans. There was particularly scant information about about the Kalasha group, although that is understandable because little had previously been written about the group.

The book has a comprehensive index and a good list of sources for further reading. There is a rather imprecise map and an uncomprehensive timeline.

I look forward to using this book as a jumping pad for further reading about these living, but disappearing religions.… (más)