Sharing a line of latitude seven hundred miles north of the equator, Nigeria, Sudan, Somalia, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines also share an increasingly violent struggle between Christianity and Islam. The 10th parallel spans two continents and 19 nationalities, but those six countries reflect the strife in significant ways. Taking us to the epicenters of conflict in each of these nations, the award-winning investigative reporter Eliza Griswold provides a clear-eyed account of the 21st century’s most alarming religious schisms and the history behind them, a history that continues to stoke the flames of terrorism, warlord rebellions, and devastating corruption. Living in the villages and slums of the tenth parallel for seven years, Griswold conducted extraordinary interviews with leaders from varying factions. She also traveled with high-profile figures such as the evangelist Franklin Graham, who has succeeded in propagating the mission of his aging father, Billy Graham. The result of her frontline research is a book that will transform our dialogue about globalization --- its looming threats as well as its prospects for peace.

Of the world’s 1.6 billion Muslims, more than half live along the tenth parallel, as do roughly 60 percent of the world’s 2 billion Christians. Illuminating the role of natural resources, cultural identity, and other factors that foster religious tension rather than collaboration in this economically pivotal swath of the globe, Griswold’s The Tenth Parallel captures the human experience throughout centuries-old struggles. We hope that the following suggestions for discussion will enrich your experience of this timely work.