"An excellent study of a contemporary politico-religious movement, which readers, including those who follow current events, will find informative and provocative. The author provides a sophisticated analysis of topical issues such as Sunni-Shii differences, sectarianism, nationalism, and identity politics." * Lois Beck, Washington University In Saint Louis"This book provides a valuable new perspective on the Islamic State by exploring how its ideologues, as 'entrepreneurs of identity', sought to construct and authorize categories of social identity in order to offer existential and ontological security to its sympathizers." * Pieter Nanninga, University of Groningen