On Wednesday 26th June 2024, from 7.30-9.30pm, Stroud Radical Reading Group will host a discussion of Burning Country: Syrians in Revolution and War by Robin Yassin-Kassab and Leila Al-Shami. We will meet at 10 John St, GL5 2AH. Below you can find links to a free copy of the book as a pdf, to buy a physical copy of the book at a discount, information about the event, venue and free resources.
In 2011, many Syrians took to the streets of Damascus to demand the overthrow of the government of Bashar al-Assad. Burning Country explores the horrific and complicated reality of life in present-day Syria.
You can buy the book from the Yellow Lighted Bookshop (Nailsworth, Tetbury or Chalford pick up or delivery at £3.50) via the previous link – RRP £14.99. When looking at your “basket” enter the “couponcode” stroudradical24 for a 12% discount – final book price £13.19, a saving of £1.80).
Event format
We are very fortunate that one of the authors, Robin Yassin-Kassab, is hoping to join us half way through the meeting to answer questions about the book. We will also be joined by Rami, a Syrian refugee living locally.
About our events and the venue
Stroud Radical Reading Group events are free to attend, though we will make a collection to cover costs – please bring some cash. Anyone is welcome to listen to the discussion, though we encourage contributions only from those who have read at least some of the book we are discussing. We try to create a comfortable discussion space for everyone, including people who have not been part of a reading group or been to university.
We will meet at 10 John St, GL5 2AH. This is near the centre of town, a short walk from Stroud Railway Station and a slightly longer walk from the Merrywalks Bus Station. There are stands to lock bikes to outside, and parking for cars nearby in either Brunel Mall, Fawkes Place, or Church St car park. There is a low step to enter the building, which is flat. There are no toilet facilities. Please get in touch if you’d like to get more of an idea of what the sessions are like or if you have any accessibility needs.
About the book and authors
“Burning Country explores the horrific and complicated reality of life in present-day Syria with unprecedented detail and sophistication, drawing on new first hand testimonies from opposition fighters, exiles lost in an archipelago of refugee camps, and courageous human rights activists among many others. These stories are expertly interwoven with a trenchant analysis of the brutalisation of the conflict and the militarisation of the uprising, of the rise of the Islamists and sectarian warfare, and the role of governments in Syria and elsewhere in exacerbating those violent processes. With chapters focusing on ISIS and Islamism, regional geopolitics, the new grassroots revolutionary organisations, and the worst refugee crisis since World War Two, Burning Country is a vivid and groundbreaking look at a modern-day political and humanitarian nightmare.”
Publishers description (Pluto Press)
Robin Yassin-Kassab is a regular media commentator on Syria and the Middle East. He is the author of the novel The Road from Damascus (Penguin, 2009) and contributor to Syria Speaks (Saqi, 2014).
Leila Al-Shami has worked with the human rights movement in Syria and across in the Middle East. She is a founding member of Tahrir-ICN, a network that aimed to connect anti-authoritarian struggles across the Middle East, North Africa and Europe.
Free resources:
- The whole book is available as a free pdf
- 50 minute audio interview with the authors for the This is Hell podcast, recorded in 2016
- 1 hour 20 minute audio recording of presentation given by the authors, in 2016 (embedded below)
- Book Review: “Burning Country: Syrians in Revolution and War” by John Reimann (Oaklandsocialist)
- A Podcast Gives Voice to Syrians Searching for Justice in Europe
- “Trump, Syria, and Counter-Revolution” by Michael Karadjis
Stroud Radical Reading Group 