The Assyrians, also known as Nestorians, are an eastern Christian group that has actively pursued missionary activity in Turkey, Iraq, and Iran since the 19th century. Joseph (Middle Eastern history, Princeton U.), in the revised edition of his 1961 The Nestorians and their Muslim neighbors , traces the history of this group, their missionary activity among, and persecution by the Muslims, and their manipulation by colonial Christian powers (in part through the Church of England) in a study that will appeal to those interested in the religious and political history of the region and colonialism with regard to Islam. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)