April 19, 2026 - Juan Cole | Thanassis Cambanis | Allen Frances

Thanassis Cambanis traces the evolution of Shia political power and the trajectory of Islamist movements in Iraq following the 2003 invasion. The book examines how militia groups, religious parties, and political actors adapted to new institutional contexts and foreign interventions. It analyzes the interplay between military force, religious authority, and electoral politics that shaped Iraq's postwar governance. Cambanis highlights the regional implications of Iraq's transformations, including relations with Iran and the broader Middle East. The book combines field reporting, interviews, and historical context to explain how Shia political power consolidated and its consequences for stability and governance.

Thanassis Cambanis follows Egyptians from different walks of life to tell the story of the 2011 revolution and subsequent political upheaval. The book combines personal narratives with investigative reporting to chart how initial hopes for democratic change gave way to contested transitions and authoritarian resurgence. Cambanis examines the roles of activists, Islamists, the military, and ordinary citizens in shaping Egypt's fate. He situates Egypt's experience within broader patterns of uprisings across the Arab world while focusing on local dynamics and choices. The result is a vivid, human-centered exploration of revolt, repression, and the complexities of political change.

Written as a practical reference, this book distills core principles and criteria for psychiatric diagnosis with clinical clarity and accessible language. Allen Frances uses his extensive DSM experience to explain diagnostic categories, differential diagnosis, and common clinical pitfalls. The text is designed for clinicians needing a reliable, succinct guide to psychiatric assessment and decision-making. It emphasizes clinical judgment alongside diagnostic criteria and addresses controversies in psychiatric classification. The book is widely used as a dependable companion for trainees and practicing psychiatrists.

Juan Cole argues for pragmatic, historically informed U.S. policies toward the Muslim world, promoting engagement instead of adversarial approaches. Drawing on historical context and contemporary examples, he critiques counterproductive interventionist policies and suggests alternatives grounded in diplomacy and mutual respect. The book examines religious, social, and political factors shaping Muslim-majority societies and how U.S. actions influence perceptions and outcomes. Cole provides policy recommendations aimed at reducing conflict and building cooperative relationships. The work blends scholarship with policy analysis to advocate for a more effective American foreign policy toward Muslim communities.

Thanassis Cambanis provides on-the-ground reporting and narrative profiles of Hezbollah fighters, exploring motives, identities, and the social context of militancy in Lebanon. The book delves into the personal stories behind combatants, illuminating how ideology, community, and geopolitics shape their choices. Cambanis situates these individual experiences within broader regional conflicts and the long history of Lebanese sectarian politics. He offers critical insight into how armed groups become entrenched and how cycles of violence persist across generations. The book blends reportage, interviews, and historical analysis to humanize participants while critiquing the structures that sustain violent conflict.

Juan Cole presents a scholarly biography of the Prophet Muhammad that emphasizes his role as a mediator and leader navigating complex imperial rivalries. The book situates Muhammad's life within the political, social, and religious milieu of late antiquity, arguing that many portrayals overemphasize militarism. Cole highlights episodes demonstrating the Prophet's use of diplomacy, treaties, and pluralistic governance. The work engages with both classical Islamic sources and modern scholarship to offer a balanced reinterpretation. It aims to correct misconceptions and show how early Islamic leadership sought communal stability amid broader imperial tensions.

In 'Saving Normal,' Allen Frances critiques the current state of psychiatric diagnosis, arguing that the DSM-5 is leading to the medicalization of normal life, resulting in unnecessary diagnoses and treatments. He warns against the conversion of millions of 'normal' people into 'mental patients,' highlighting the harmful effects of over-medication and the influence of 'Big Pharma. ' The book is a call to reclaim the full measure of humanity and to practice psychiatry in a more restrained and evidence-based manner.