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Klaus Gallas has written the definitive guidebook to Cyprus. His introductory essays on Cyprian history, religion, art and architecture, food and drink provide a thorough preparation for the comprehensive itinerary that follows them.' ... Read more

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From ancient times to the present, the history of Cyprus is provided in this useful reference, which includes hundreds of cross-referenced dictionary entries on its historical, political, social, cultural, and economic history. ... Read more

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This book examines the various minorities living in the island of Cyprus from the early modern (late Venetian and early Ottoman) period down to the present day. It charts their history, with special emphasis on their relations with the powers ruling Cyprus and with the two dominant Christian-Greek and Muslim-Turkish communities. The theme running through the book is that despite being significant members of Cyprus' society, the three historical minorities (Maronites, Armenians and Latins) were only included in society to a certain extent by the two major communities. This was formalised in the post-independence (1960) period when they were compelled to become members of either dominant community and thus they suffered 'internal exclusion' by being regarded as religious sub-groups of one of the two dominant communities rather than national minorities in their own right.Within this general context, the social, legal and political roles, customs, culture and language of the various minorities are examined as they evolved through time and in response to internal and external developments affecting Cyprus in the political, economic and global spheres.They are discussed not as static entities, but as evolving groups that have adapted with greater or lesser degrees of success to the radical and at times painful changes Cyprus has undergone, especially over the last 150 years, in all walks of life. Finally, the question of what the future holds for the minorities of the island in the light of Cyprus' EU membership and the prospect of reunification are also analysed. This book is a product of the conference 'Minorities of Cyprus: Past, Present and Future', which was held on 24 and 25 November 2007 at the European University Cyprus. ... Read more

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The United Nations has rarely been given a fair hearing with regard to its work in Cyprus. Despite facing competing demands on its limited resources, challenged by the local parties, and at the mercy of contradictory political directions at the international level, the UN has actually achieved more than is generally realized. This is the first volume to critically appraise all the major areas on the UN's peacekeeping, peacemaking, and peace building activities in Cyprus.
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Given the current unrest in the Middle East, this book evaluates the ability of the European Union through enlargement to prevent a potential conflict developing between key actors in the near-eastern Mediterranean region; namely Greece, Turkey and Cyprus. Cyprus and the Cyprus issue will become increasingly important in the next few years given the completion of accession negotiations, and the signing of the Accession Treaty in April 2003 between Cyprus and the European Union. Therefore the book seeks to illuminate the limitations and constraints on the EU policy towards Cyprus, but also the potential "positive impact" that the EU might have on the Cyprus issue and east Mediterranean regional stability in the short, medium and long term, through inclusion of both Cyprus and Turkey as enlargement candidates.
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The 19th century saw a procession of European and American visitors to Cyprus, all eager to find a treasure, locate an acropolis and establish a connection with Bronze Age Greece. However the 19th century also saw the exploration of Cypriote antiquity evolve from a treasure hunt into an academic discipline. These papers were given at a conference in 1998. They seek to place the archaeological exploration of Cyprus in the 19th century in the context, convictions, mores and knowledge of the time, and to reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of that pioneering era in the recovery, exploitation and preservation of the relics of the island's long and turbulent history. The volume is dedicated to Olivier Masson who died in 1997. ... Read more

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Borowiec portrays Cyprus as a permanent source of tension in the Eastern Mediterranean and a potential trigger for future conflict between Greece and Turkey. He describes the depth of animosity between Greek and Turkish Cypriots and analyzes the obstacles in the path of a search for a solution. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Fairly good analysis with some shortcomings
The book appears to make an attempt at a balanced view but every now and then the facts get somewhat questionable.It is fairly well documented with some notable omissions, eg the statement that 38% of the land belonged to Turkish Cypriots. The source of such a controversial figure would be important to provide.

Certain references are made to subsequent or previous events without providing dates, making the narrative confusing. Without previous knowledge of the history of Cyprus, it would be hard to figure out the timeframe referred to.

The book is also in need of editorial care: it has a large number of grammatical errors and typos. The most notable is at the bottom of page 19 where the date when "Britain concluded a treaty with Turkish Sultan Abdul Hamid II" is given as 1978 instead of 1878!

But I concurred (sadly) with some of the author's descriptions of modern Cypriot society (particularly in the south with which I'm familiar), as well as with the conclusion that the differences between the two sides - at least at the official level - appear to be irreconcilable, and that the only hope is at the grassroots level where there is a need to start building a Cypriot identity and consciousness, if we ever want to see the divide go away...

Best treatise on modern Cyprus
I am just completing a case study on Cyprus in my graduate studies.Borowiec's book is my NUMBER ONE source.Current, balanced, objective--he pulls no punches.His personal experience on the island and with the antagonists comes through but does not color his conclusions for or against either side.Rather, his descriptions greatly add to the reader's understanding and move the tale of this "Troubled Island" along quite well.My specific purpose in reading his book was to investigate the U.S.'s foreign policy toward Cyprus, Greece & Turkey.The evidence and explanations Borowiec provides are well documented and presented logically and dispassionately.Ironically, partisans of both sides of this conflict will definitely find fault in this book for not telling "their" side well enough or telling the "other" side too well.Borowiec makes a strong case that you can't win in Cyprus.

If you don't know much about Cyprus, or if you just want an objective view, START HERE.You don't need to be a scholar to get into this book, but scholars will appreciate his approach! ... Read more

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This volume comprises an edition and English translation of the response in Arabic made by the fourteenth century scholar Ibn Abî Tâlib al-Dimashqî to a Letter sent to him by anonymous Christians from Cyprus. The Christian letter was also sent to al-Dimashqî’s contemporary Ibn Taymiyya, and this response is thus a parallel to Ibn Taymiyya’s Al-jawâb al-sahîh.

In their Letter the Christians subtly suggest that the Qur’an supports Christian doctrines. Al-Dimashqî replies with a comprehensive series of elaborate and wide-ranging arguments that incorporate not only themes familiar from earlier polemical works but also his own original points. His response is thus an important source of information about the development of Muslim interfaith attitudes, and a significant example of polemic in the later medieval period.

The edition presents the two parts of this correspondence in parallel Arabic and English versions, together with an extensive introduction, textual notes and commentary. ... Read more

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The Fine Arts of Christian Muslim Dialogue

Medieval Bilingual Dialogue:
This volume comprises an Arabic edition with English translation of the Arabic response made by Damascene Islamic scholar Shams Ibn Abî Tâlib, a fourteenth century 'faquih', in response to a provocative letter from 'across Mediterrenian' Cypriot Christians. In his Letter, the Cypriot Christian eludes that the Qur'an does not contradict, but in fact affirms the Christian religion and its basic doctrines. the Moslem scholar elaborates in his comprehensive reply, in detailed and wide-ranging themes, rewriting earlier familiar polemical works, in a reply to Christian's letter, which was also sent to Ibn Taymiyya, a controversial Islamic contemporary. This response is thus a parallel to Ibn Taymiyya's (Al-jawâb al-sahîh)*.

Note on Master of Jihad:
In his original book, (Aljawaab AlSaheeh)*;'The Correct Answer,' Ibn Tayymiya elaborated an encyclopedic answer,in 7 volumes, to many Christian polemics. Ibn Taymiyya (1263-1328), well versed in Qur'anic studies, and scholastic theology, started giving fatwas on religious legal matters without following any of the four traditional legal schools, influenced by Ibn Hanbal. He was unyielding in his political and religious positions.
His jihad against the enemies of Islam, which he is now best known for, did not help him in his times, and he died in jail because of his daring opinions. Most notably, the Ibn Taymiyya writings were incorporated into Wahhabi doctrine in order to legitimize fighting anti-Islam as holy Jihad.

A Model Muslim/Christian Dialogue:
The development of Muslim christian interfaith dialogues, in the later medieval period is a good example of those polemics, is thus a rich source of information about the trends, attitudes, and rules of oral and written engagement.
The edition, in parallel Arabic versions and English translation presents in vivid account both parts of this correspondence, as a dialogue. The authors provide an elaborate introduction, detailed notes and commentary on the Arabic text rendered in a clear English translation.

Toil Lover Editors:
The Catholic Ecumenical and Interfaith Commission , inspired by Vatican II, and pioneered by two great scholars in the field Fr. Samir Khalil, and Fr. Sidney Griffith has progressed vastly this area of research.Dr. Rifaat Ebied, Professor of Semitic Studies, University of Sydney, has published extensively on Christian Arabic and Syriac studies, Studies on the Christian Arabic Heritage. Dr. David Thomas, of U. Birmingham, Islamic Studies has published profusely on Christian/Islamic issues, (Christians at the Heart of Islamic Rule, Brill, 2003). ... Read more

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The legendary land of Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty, the island of Cyprus is not only the jewel at the crossroads of three continents, it is also the longest running political tragedy of modern democratic Europe. Since its early days it has witnessed a succession of rulers and peoples. Some came in peace for worship, refuge from persecution, or trade; others came to conquer, plunder, or occupy. Granted its independence in 1960, the infant republic went from crisis to crisis. It finally succumbed to a massive Turkish military invasion. More than twenty years later, 37.5% of its territory is still occupied by its more powerful neighbor. The author's introduction provides an overview of the island and its people, religion, history, economy, education, health conditions, and the like. The dictionary proper gives information on prominent personalities, important events, customs, places and other topics. The comprehensive and up-to-date bibliography is arranged in eleven categories. Appendices and maps are also included. ... Read more

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The Cyprus problem has defeated all attempts to resolve it for more than forty years. From 1996 onwards the UN, with strong support from the United States, the United Kingdom and other European Union members, mounted the most sustained of all the efforts to reach an agreement, so that a reunited Cyprus could join the European Union in May 2004. Although it came closer to success than any previous attempt, this one was a failure as well. From his unique position as the former British Special Representative for Cyprus, David Hannay tells the story of these negotiations, their ups and downs and of the roles of the United Nations and the European Union. What results is an exceptional first-hand account of a complex situation.
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Customer Reviews (2)

Essential reading to understand the oncoming crisis
Cyprus has been a source of conflict since the first day EOKA started its operations against the Britons. Lord Hannay correctly admits the hard situation Britons have put the Turkish Cypriot community in the past. The accounts he held are also a great resource for those of us who actually watched the talks collapse many many times. What Lord Hannay fails to achieve is to face the current deadlock. The book should have elevated on the consequences of the Greek Cypriot community to the EU without the Turkish Cypriots. Despite all these shortcomings, Lord Hannay achieves to keep a good track of events up until April 2004, from an objective point of view.

Complete - Honest - Objective
Well, I believe that Lord Hannay has done an excellent job. When reading books about the Cyprus problem, one is always on the verge of falling in the trap the author has set up for one. It's pretty difficult to find an author who just describes facts from a distance, without subconsciously trying to force his own ideas and point of view. Lord Hannay, though he found himself deeply involved in the problem - being the UK representative during the negotiation attempts from 1996 to 2003 - is not afraid or hesitant in admitting mistakes on all sides (be it Cuprus, Turkey or the Guarantors). With this book one can have the chance to take a good look on diplomacy tips and tricks and how the leading "players" in this issue have manipulated them. ... Read more