Book Review: Seeds of Turmoil

Title: Seeds of Turmoil
Author: Bryan Wright
ISBN: 978-0849948152
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Published Date: August 2010
Pages: 240

I received a free copy of this book from Book Sneeze for my honest review.

Synopsis from Amazon:
The current conflict in the Middle East began long before the creation of the state of Israel in 1948. It originated when Abraham sinned, distorting God's promise that he and his heirs would make a great nation and inherit the land now called The Holy Land.

A historical and political account, Seeds of Turmoil clearly explains the biblical story of Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar and the ensuing sibling rivalry between Jacob and Esau, whose choices formed the world's three most influential religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

This fascinating insight into the beginnings of the conflict also explains what about the land is so important today. In addition, Wright sheds light on the conflicting Jewish, Christian, and Islamic perspectives and answers the question, Does God play favorites?


My review:
I wasn't sure what to expect when I agreed to review this book. I thought perhaps it would be political and more of what we normally hear on the news channels and not a book that would really explore and give the entire picture of the conflict. However, I was pleasantly surprised. The book traced the history of the origin of the chaos by starting with Abraham and working his way down. Biblical passages were included to show the history and the characters that were involved from the very beginning.

The book brought on a new perspective for me of the conflict and the history of the middle east to understand the path that has been followed up to this point and why things have happened in the way they have. It is often easy to dismiss the conflict as it seems that we hear too much about it and become desenstized to what we hear. Yet, this book explains how we should pay attention and know the history to get a full understanding. As a Christian, I liked this and feel it is important to know about God's chosen people and to realize that what has been prophesied will come to pass.