Nisan (Middle East studies, Hebrew U. of Jerusalem) describes the political struggles of non-Arab or non-Muslim ethnic groups in the Islamic world, including the Kurds, Berbers, Baluch, Druzes, Armenians, Maronites, Sudanese Christians, and Egyptian Copts. Each ethnic group is accorded separate treatment, with discussion of their cultural identity, geographic location, and early history accompanied by examinations of modern political and military struggles that emphasize the relative effectiveness of the formation of international diplomatic strategies. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)