Tag: books

Wissam Charafeddineโ€™s Top 10 Reads for 2024

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This year, Wissam Charafeddine explored a diverse range of books that broadened his understanding of history, humanity, and innovation. Here are his top 10 picks for 2024, complete with a synopsis of each book, its author, a memorable quote, and resources for readers.

1. War Against the People by Jeff Halper

  • Synopsis of the Book: A critical exploration of Israel’s global influence through its military-industrial complex and security policies.
  • About the Author: Jeff Halper, an Israeli anthropologist and activist, focuses on human rights and peace efforts in Palestine-Israel.
  • Memorable Quote: โ€œThis is not just a story about oppression; it is a blueprint for global control.โ€
  • Amazon Link: Buy on Amazon
  • YouTube Review: Watch Review
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1xYJcHbKUY

2. Imaginable by Jane McGonigal

  • Synopsis of the Book: Learn how to predict and prepare for the future by imagining tomorrow’s challenges today.
  • About the Author: Jane McGonigal is a futurist and game designer helping people solve complex problems creatively.
  • Memorable Quote: โ€œThe future isnโ€™t something to be feared; itโ€™s something we create.โ€
  • Amazon Link: Buy on Amazon
  • YouTube Review: Watch Review
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JG9Y2E2Uvw

3. The Anarchy by William Dalrymple

  • Synopsis of the Book: The rise and fall of the East India Company, detailing its impact on India and global history.
  • About the Author: William Dalrymple is an award-winning historian specializing in the colonial history of South Asia.
  • Memorable Quote: โ€œThe East India Company was the original corporate raider.โ€
  • Amazon Link: Buy on Amazon
  • YouTube Review: Watch Review
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzHmyvWHoc8

4. The Great Syrian Revolt by Michael Provence

  • Synopsis of the Book: A detailed history of Syria’s 1925-1927 revolt against French colonial rule, showcasing local resilience and leadership.
  • About the Author: Michael Provence is a historian focusing on Middle Eastern independence movements.
  • Memorable Quote: โ€œThis revolt united Syrians across religious and regional lines.โ€
  • Amazon Link: Buy on Amazon
  • YouTube Review: Watch Review
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKaXf_cxNkE

5. Humankind by Rutger Bregman

  • Synopsis of the Book: This book redefines our understanding of human nature, presenting evidence that people are inherently good.
  • About the Author: Rutger Bregman is a historian and author known for his optimistic view of humanity and societal progress.
  • Memorable Quote: โ€œItโ€™s our shared humanity that has brought us this farโ€”and will carry us further.โ€
  • Amazon Link: Buy on Amazon
  • YouTube Review: Watch Review
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPbuylTogHI

6. Muhammad and the Believers by Fred M. Donner

  • Synopsis of the Book: Reframing early Islam as a movement of faith uniting monotheists, this book explores the formative years of the Islamic world.
  • About the Author: Fred M. Donner is a scholar of early Islam and Islamic history.
  • Memorable Quote: *โ€œThe

early Islamic movement was one of inclusiveness and shared belief.โ€*

7. Crossing Borders by Christa Bruhn

  • Synopsis of the Book: An exploration of the challenges and opportunities presented by international education and collaboration.
  • About the Author: Christa Bruhn is an education consultant focusing on cross-cultural understanding and global partnerships.
  • Memorable Quote: โ€œBridging borders begins with understanding and mutual respect.โ€
  • Amazon Link: Buy on Amazon
  • YouTube Review: Watch Review
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gSfDjIH4YY

8. Flights of Fancy by Richard Dawkins

  • Synopsis of the Book: A beautifully illustrated journey into the mechanics and wonder of flight, from birds to airplanes.
  • About the Author: Richard Dawkins is an evolutionary biologist and renowned science communicator.
  • Memorable Quote: โ€œFlight is natureโ€™s poetry written in physics.โ€
  • Amazon Link: Buy on Amazon
  • YouTube Review: Watch Review
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUdNjGqOB1c

9. The Option Method by Bruce Di Marsico

  • Synopsis of the Book: A guide to achieving emotional well-being through introspection and self-awareness.
  • About the Author: Bruce Di Marsico was a psychotherapist who developed the “Option Method” for personal growth and happiness.
  • Memorable Quote: โ€œHappiness is not something we chase; itโ€™s something we choose.โ€
  • Amazon Link: Buy on Amazon
  • YouTube Review: Watch Review
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWgyRZVb8R

10. Common Sense by Thomas Paine

  • Synopsis of the Book: A revolutionary pamphlet that galvanized American colonists to seek independence from Britain.
  • About the Author: Thomas Paine was a political activist and philosopher whose writings greatly influenced revolutionary movements.
  • Memorable Quote: โ€œThese are the times that try menโ€™s souls.โ€
  • Amazon Link: Buy on Amazon
  • YouTube Review: Watch Review
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHI5bsZ0sFk

These books showcase Wissam Charafeddineโ€™s passion for learning, humanity, and progress. Each offers a unique perspective on the world, inspiring reflection and action. Which one will you read next? Let us know in the comments!

My TOP reading list 2023-2024

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1. Reopening Muslim Minds

https://a.co/d/8ZaBiqp

2. COMMON SENSE

https://a.co/d/3fC4SFF

3. The Expanding Blaze: How the American Revolution Ignited the World, 1775-1848

https://a.co/d/cEsZvcn

4. Flights of Fancy: Defying Gravity by Design and Evolution

https://a.co/d/396Jk2v

5. The Anarchyย 

https://a.co/d/3v4aMzH

6. Lost in the Sacred: Why the Muslim World Stood Still

https://a.co/d/6PUGI0s

7. A Universe from Nothing: Why There Is Something Rather than Nothing

https://a.co/d/3vphbHF

8. Arab Patriotism: The Ideology and Culture of Power in Late Ottoman Egypt

https://a.co/d/c9WmiD6

9. Muhammad and the Believers: At the Origins of Islam

https://a.co/d/g3w5vdn

10. Making the Arab World: Nasser, Qutb, and the Clash That Shaped the Middle Eastย 

https://a.co/d/1gUt8G0

My Top 10 Reading List for 2021-2022

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1. Line in the Sand

The story of drawing the Middle East in the rooms of French British bickering.

2. Shakespeare and Company

The story of Sylvia Beach, the founder of the most famous book store in the world, that published the most famous novel in the world, Ulysses, in the most creative age of this world, 1920’s, in the most beautiful city of this world, Paris.

3. A Hunter-Gatherer’s Guide to the 21st Century: Evolution and the Challenges of Modern Life

At the end of each chapter, they will summarize it with useful tips for our 21st century derived from a deep understanding of our evolutionary history … and they will explain them to you.

4. Happiness Hypothesis

It was quoted so much by other books that I had to read it. Amazing collection of research on what makes us happy. This book will make you wiser.

5. ุชุฎู„ูŠุต ุงู„ุฅุจุฑูŠุฒ ููŠ ุชู„ุฎูŠุต ุจุงุฑูŠุณ

Translates to “The Golden Summary of Paris”, is a book written by a scholar of AlAzhar after a trip to Paris in the 1830’s. This is the birth of the Arab Renaissance that lasted till 1920’s. The best part was when he was describing dancing, of which the closest thing in Egypt that he can give an analogy was wrestling.

6. Satanic Bible

Published in 1969 by Anton LaVey, The Satanic Bible is an interesting take on the concept of religion and Satan. It has nothing to do with actual belief in Satan … but Satan is used as a symbol of indulgence and lust, and in depth the human desire and fear. This book is a tabu that you can rarely find, but it is nice to explore totally different perspectives.

7. Making the Arab World

Well the first thing I have to say, this is not about the making of the Arab World. I am actually deeply disappointed with the title that undermines the whole history of the Arab World. This is not event he story of the making of modern Egypt. But at anycase, this is the story of the Clash between Nasser and Qutb, and its influences on the region.

8. Intuition by Osho

I love Osho, the indianย godman,[3]ย mystic, and founder of theย Rajneesh movement. He is definitely one of the founders of spirituality in the 20th century. This book, lent to me by my friend, talks about knowledge that is beyond logic… intuition. As science confirms, that 97% of your brain activity is non-relational … we are not conscious off. Access to it is called intuition. Osho speaks about that from a spiritual perspective.

9. ุงู„ุฌุงู…ุนุฉ ุงู„ุฅุณู„ุงู…ูŠุฉ ุจูŠู† ุงู„ุณูŠุฏ ุฌู…ุงู„ ุงู„ุฏูŠู† ุงู„ุฃูุบุงู†ูŠ ูˆุงู„ุณู„ุทุงู† ุนุจุฏ ุงู„ุญู…ูŠุฏ

A free book available for download at the link below in Arabic titled: The Islamic League between Sayid Jamal ElDeen AlAfghani and Sultan Abdulhamid. The Islamic League was a project created by Sayid Jamal ElDeen and adapted by Sultan Abdulhamid. It didn’t last due to political circumstances and deprioritization, ending with the coupe of 1909 that overthrew Sultan Abdilhamid and reduced him to a symbol, then exiled him in 1912 till his death in 1918.

10. ุงู„ูˆุทู† ุงู„ุนุฑุจูŠ ุจุนุฏ 100 ุนุงู… ู…ู† ุณุงูŠูƒุณ ุจูŠูƒูˆ … ู‚ุฑุงุกุฉ ููŠ ุงู„ุฎุฑุงุฆุท

Written by a friend, it reexamines the maps of Sykes Picot and collects documentation on the maps and map drawing processes of a very important stage. It is a great resource for anyone studying this subject in depth.