Shi'ism (New Edinburgh Islamic Surveys) Paperback – September 15, 2004

Who is Al Shareef Al Radi and Al Shareef Al Mourtada and when was the main core of the ideology of Twelver Shiism formed? How did the Shiite thought shift from the need to wait for the hidden imam who is divinely mandated to rule into their later thinking of the necessity of taking governance into their hands as they wait for the return of the imam? Who were the 12 imams and how was the Shiite branch of Islam formed?Heinz offers accurate, yet brief, answers to all the questions that students - and interested individuals - of Shiism might ask. He skillfully employs needed methodology for treating the Shiite history and writing it. As such, Heinz presents all of the literature available on the subject at hand, examines the credibility of the sources and cross-examines these sources with other similar ones in order to come up with his account.The book is condensed, full of names, dates and events and might be an overdose for readers unfamiliar with the subject. Yet, it covers most of the issues on Shiism.Another draw back (or maybe not) is that the book is written in the style of a teaching text book with sections dividing each subject. Subjects are covered in a chronological order.While this kind of writing and classification of sections might be beneficial for new comers to the learning on Shiism, it might be distracting for those who seek a book with a coherent narration.

Provides a concise yet comprehensive overview of Shiism in its myriad forms. The bulk of the book is dedicated to Imami/Twelver Shiism (130+ pages) with a particular emphasis on it's development during and after Safavid Iran. The section on Ismaili Shiism is roughly 40 pages, and then there are about 5 pages each dedicated to Zaydi and Ghulat (heterodox) strands. Overall I found the book to be well worth the read, even though at times the tone of the author is critical if not offensive to the subject matter he is discussing, I learned a lot. Also wished he wrote more on the historical development of Twelver Shiism outside of Iran - ie, Iraq, Lebanon, India etc, instead of mentioning it briefly.

It is refreshing to see interest in Shiism and particularly in Ismailism.I wonder why Fatimids do not get the same play as other Islamic Ruling dynasty and why not reflect on their "Rule" rather than "Religion" only.