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Customer Reviews (5)

Islam - Fazlur Rahman
This book was in very good condition. It arrived just in time for my assignment, which was great! Other than some highlighting (which comes in handy, anyway) there were no damages to the book.

One of the best intros to Islam
It's written for someone with some knowledge of the basics of Islam.Extremely well-organized, highly analytical and scholarly.It ranks with "Islam and the Destiny of Man" as the best intros.

One of the best intros to Islam
It's written for someone with some knowledge of the basics of Islam.Extremely well-organized, highly analytical and scholarly.It ranks with "Islam and the Destiny of Man" as the best intros.

Great Work but a Little Dry
This book is a handy book in learning about Islam, its doctrine and history. Rahman's approach is at once senstitive sociologically and also a little apolotgetic at times. This book is written by an intelligent "insider" It does not address questions about terrorism and should not be read as a way of informing a personal hatred against Muslims but should be read and is best read as a book that introduces readers in an understandable fashion to one of the world's "great" religions and agents for cultural expression and change. This book is about a religion- its theology, philosophy, sects, and its history- not radical anti-Western political movements.
My criticisms of this book are light- it is a bit dry and a bit academic at times.Also the typeface is sometimes a bit hard on the eyes but not annoyingly so.But overall it is a great work and a classic on a great religion and I highly recommend it for all those who would like to begin learning about Islam.

Good intro. to Islam
This is a great book for someone looking to learn Islamic basics.It is easy to read, yet doesn't compromise on accurate information and detail.A good book for a new convert to Islam, or simply for someone studying comparitive religion.This book is often used in an introduction course on Islam at Georgetown University. ... Read more

Product Description

World events won’t let North Americans ignore Muslims anymore. Whether those Muslims are villagers in Iraq or neighbors down the street, Breaking the Islam Code offers everyday Christians profound insight into the way Muslims think and feel.

J.D. Greear’s ability to communicate challenging heart truth, plus his expertise in Christian and Islamic theology and two years’ experience in a Muslim-dominated area, make him the perfect author for this empowering, insightful, reader-friendly book. It transcends traditional apologetics, focusing on helping Christians

• understand what is deep in Muslims’ hearts, behind their theology—which will lead to friendship and effective communication of the gospel
• respectfully turn many of the primary objections into opportunities to share the faith
• avoid unnecessarily offending Muslims they’re interacting with

Readers will be excited that sharing Christ with Muslims is something they can do—as everyday Christians in their own cities, campuses, and workplaces.

Customer Reviews (5)

Good read
Dr. Greear does a magnificent job of intertwining his academic study of church fathers, Christian theology, and Islamic theology, as well as his personal experiences living in a Muslim community in "Breaking the Islamic Code".The book is incredibly readable as JD uses common vernacular to explain deep and complex issues relating to what Muslims believe and how they can engage with the historical Jesus.Greear's stories and practical analogies help convey the similarities and differences in the two major monotheistic religions (Christianity and Islam) beyond the intellect.He shares key insights Christians should know as they engage with Muslims in topics such as Muslim felt needs, how the gospel can fulfill those needs and common misconceptions. Some highlights of the book I especially appreciated were the emphases of the bible and holy spirit in bringing people into his kingdom his approach of seeking transformation and renewal instead of "conversion".A novice or expert will find this book knowledgeable, enjoyable as well as challenging. A great read!

Good Overview, but....
1. What I liked...
In general, I'd agree with the positive reviews written about this book. It provides a comprehensive overview of Islam, while providing some ways to healthily respond and engage with our Muslim friends and neighbors. It really is a good introduction if you've not read anything on the subject before.

2. Some questions marks...
I wish I had read the back cover. In general, I like to read books by people who have considerable experience. The back cover says that J.D. 'lived and worked for two years among Muslims in Southeast Asia before studying Christian and Islamic theology.' While the book provides a good overview and is a good resource, I wish it had come from someone who had more experience.

I also think providing a critique for the C-5 and C-6 movements is not appropriate for a book like this. I realize I'm wading into church politics, but I found the critique of C5/C6 movements on the whole to be overly simplistic, especially when criticizing the Camel method. Greeson, who authored the book called The Camel Method, has been on the field in South East Asia for over 40 years doing evangelism and church planting with a considerable amount of success. I'm a practitioner in this field and I've found the Camel Method to be very helpful in starting conversations with my Muslim friends and I wouldn't consider myself someone who advocates C5 or C6 practices.

Wonderful Resource
"Breaking the Islam Code is a wonderfully helpful book for anyone who wants to understand their Muslim neighbors and to communicate the gospel to them in a winsome and accurate manner. Dr. Greear uses his personal experience with Muslims to provide the reader keen insight into Islamic theology, as well as the common misunderstandings and objections that many Muslims have with the Christian message. His book is a needed addition to the ongoing conversation about the relationship between Islam and Christianity because it helps the reader to view Muslims as people for whom Jesus died, and for whom the Gospel is indeed the `pearl of great price.'"
--D. Scott Hildreth, Director, Lewis A. Drummond Center for Great Commission Studies, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

I was very touched by the author's story
Scripture tells us that we are to go into the world making disciples. It also tells us that the only way to the Father is through the Son. If we are to fulfill our mission we must reach out to all people; this includes Muslims. To reach Muslims we must understand their beliefs and why they believe. We must reach out to them in love. "Breaking The Islam Code" offers insight into the beliefs and life of Muslims.

This book is easy to read and understand, yet this is more than surface information. I was very touched by the author's story. My first thoughts were "we must make them our friend if we want them to hear us." Sometimes our actions speak louder than words.

Foundational
JD's book is very easy to read and understand but it is very deep and informative.If you have any desire to understand the Islamic faith or minister to Muslims this is a book you need to read.I underlined something on virtually every page.It is both informative and inspirational.I am praying that I will be able to apply the truths very, very soon.I loved Timothy George's "Is the Father of Jesus the God of Mohammed" and I rate this book as highly.I am already looking forward to JD's next book. ... Read more

Product Description
Muslims began arriving in the New World long before the rise of the Atlantic slave trade. The first arrivals date to the turn of the sixteenth century when European explorers and colonists crossed the Atlantic in search of new horizons and trading routes. Kambiz GhaneaBassiri's fascinating book traces the history of Muslims in the United States and their different waves of immigration and conversion across five centuries, through colonial and antebellum America, through world wars and civil rights struggles, to the contemporary era. The book tells the often deeply moving stories of individual Muslims and their lives as immigrants and citizens within the broad context of the American religious experience, showing how that experience has been integral to the evolution of American Muslim institutions and practices. This is a unique and intelligent portrayal of a diverse religious community and its relationship with America. It will serve as a strong antidote to the current politicized dichotomy between Islam and the West, which has come to dominate the study of Muslims in America and further afield. ... Read more

Product Description
Christianity or Islam: which is the real "religion of peace"?

Almost any liberal pundit will tell you that there's a religion bent on destroying our Constitution, stripping us of our liberties, and imposing religious rule on the U.S. And that religion is . . .Christianity! About Islam, however, the Left is silent--except to claim a moral equivalence between the two: if Islam has terrorists today, that's nothing compared to the Crusades, inquisitions, and religious wars in Christianity's past.

But is this true? Are conservative Christians really more of a threat to free societies than Islamic jihadists? Is the Bible really "just as violent" as the Qur'an? Is Christianity's history really as bloodstained as Islam's? In Religion of Peace? Why Christianity Is and Islam Isn't, New York Times bestselling author Robert Spencer not only refutes such charges, but also explains why Americans and Europeans must regain an appreciation of our Christian heritage if we ever hope to defeat Islamic supremacism. In this eye opening work, Spencer reveals:

* The fundamental differences between Islamic and Christian teachings about warfare against other religions: "Love your enemies" vs. "Be ruthless to the unbelievers"

* The myth of Western immorality and Islamic puritanism and why the Islamic world is less moral than the West

* Why the Islamic world has never developed the distinction between religious and secular law that is inherent in Christianity

* Why Christianity has always embraced reason--and Islam has always rejected it

* Why the most determined enemies of Western civilization may not be the jihadists at all, but the leftists who fear their churchgoing neighbors more than Islamic terrorists

* Why Jews, Christians, and peoples of other faiths (or no faith) are equally at risk from militant Islam

Spencer writes not to proselytize, but to state a fact: Christianity is a true "religion of peace," and on it Western civilization stands. If we are not to perish under Islam's religion of the sword--with its more than 100 million active jihadists seeking to impose sharia law--we had better defend our own civilization.

Customer Reviews (73)

Religion of Peace
Fine book - but I got two ccpies.Trust I will not be charged for two.

Great Read
Mr. Spencer has done a fabulous job at revealing facts about Islam but also of ourselves and our own ignorance. We need more Mr. Spencers.

Islam is a violent religion which seeks to subjugate unbelievers. Duh.
This isn't as illuminating a work as "The Truth About Muhammad", and it's a shame that the low level of discourse and education in our society forced Spencer to write such an elementary book as this. Certainly, clear-thinking and informed men have no need of such self-evident information. However, in the wake of 9/11, moronic celebrities such as Rosie O'Donnell and other self-hating dimwits of her ilk have taken to comparing Christianity unfavorably with Islam, and their unthinking talking points have started to filter down through society and be parroted by simpletons at large. Unwilling to find anything worthy about their own civilization and culture, they respond to any criticism of Islam with the idiotic retort, "Well, what about the Crusades/Inquisition/abortion clinic bombers? Christianity is a religion of violence, while Islam believes in tolerance!". Spencer easily demolishes such feeble opponents and such fatuous arguments.

While it must be admitted that professing Christians have inflicted numerous atrocities upon mankind, the fact is that they can find no justification for their actions in Christian Scripture or theology, and they act contrary to Christianity when they perpetrate such crimes. The same cannot be said for the Koran, dripping with the murderous dictates and violent example of its Allah and his Prophet.

As always, Spencer does journeyman work in exposing the violence and oppression at the heart of Islam. However, people should be aware of a few things about Spencer. In the first place, he habitually conflates Israel's cause with that of the West. Whether it's from conviction or because it's been the Jewish neoconservatives who have made his career, he inserts various comments through this book, and his others, which assume the righteousness of Israel's cause and our duty to defend her. I find that objectionable. Just because Islam has violent tenets doesn't mean that Islamic people can't have legitimate grievances, such as in Palestine; nor does it mean that we are obligated to expend our blood and treasure for every country which happens to be fighting an Islamic enemy. He is a paid propagandist, and one only has to look at the magazines he writes for, the companies that publish his books, and the networks he appears on to see which group holds the purse strings. The degree to which he is beholden to certain powerful groups can be seen in the fact that Spencer even denies the very basic, orthodox Christian doctrine of supersessionism, the belief that the New Covenant has fulfilled and replaced the Old. And Spencer calls himself a Catholic for some reason.

In addition, Spencer condemns those nationalist parties in Europe which seek to resist the Islamicization of their continent, if they also oppose policies such as slavish support for Israel, open Third World immigration and the dispossession of Europe's native people, policies which are dear to the neoconservative media lords whose patronage gave Spencer a livelihood. So, while Spencer is a valuable fighter against militant Islam, he is at the same time an active opponent of those who would fight other equally dangerous threats to the West's existence and sovereignty. His entire professional raison d'etre is to promote Western support for Israeli regional hegemony and geopolitical dominance, not Western nationalism and self-interest. So, use Spencer's information for what it's worth, but reject this man as an ally, for he's nothing but a Trojan Horse in the nationalist camp.

Five star common sense
Please ignore any one star ratings, they are false ratings from Muslims that are stuck in their man made religion and to afraid to face the truth that others put in print, not only that, lying is part of a Muslims duty when it comes to communicating with non-muslims. Robert Spencers' Religion of Peace is as great as his other books. Robert Spencer does his homework on Islamic dribble, which is a real blessing when you consider the Koran is one of the worst religious books written. It is to bad books like Religion of Peace have to be written, but the truth is most people just don't get the common sense if a religion talks evil, acts evil, and looks evil, it probably is Evil and has nothing to do with the Creator of the Universe. Don't get me wrong, I know there are moderate-muslims, I just don't consider them active enough to be relevant to the Islamic problem facing the world, which seems to be controlling the direction of most EU countries.

I wonder what's the author's intenion
It seems that Robert Spencer is counting on the Christains to support his claim that are based on information from sources like Fox News when he gave the book the title he did.I am sure that the author is aware of the torture chambers used by Isabella and Ferdinand of Spain, not to mention their killing of 300,00 Muslims civilians during "The Inquisition" (ReConquista) and deporting equal number or more number of the Muslims from Analusia (Muslim Spain). ... Read more

Product Description
Muslim-Jewish relations in the United States, Israel, and Europe are tenuous. Jews and Muslims struggle to understand one another and know little about each other's traditions and beliefs.

Firestone explains the remarkable similarities and profound differences between Judaism and Islam, the complex history of Jihad, the legal and religious positions of Jews in the world of Islam, how various expressions of Islam (Sunni, Shi`a, Sufi, Salafi, etc.) regard Jews, the range of Muslim views about Israel, and much more. He addresses these issues and others with candor and integrity, and he writes with language, symbols, and ideas that make sense to Jews.

Exploring these subjects in today's vexed political climate is a delicate undertaking. Firestone draws on the research and writings of generations of Muslim, Jewish, and other scholars, as well as his own considerable expertise in this field. The book's tone is neither disparaging, apologetic, nor triumphal. Firestone provides many original sources in translation, as well as an appendix of additional key sources in context. Most importantly, this book is readable and reasoned, presenting to readers for the first time the complexity of Islam and its relationship toward Jews and Judaism. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

An Introduction to Islam for Jews
I was shocked by the way the author, who is a Conservative Jewish Rabbi, feels a sense of "sympathy" for Islam. He then proceeds to write an apologetic book about the Islamic religion. The author was constantly trying to show how similar Jewish and Islamic ways are. The author did a very poor job of convincing anyone that Jews have anything "real" in common with Islamics. It can be easily seen that a good deal of all their initial Islamic customs & laws developed from Mohammad's supposed visions from the angel Gabriel. By my estimation, from reading the Qur'an, those visions were more likely what he observed and listened to when he came in contact with Jews & Christians who lived in Medina & other places he traveled to.The book does give a respectable basic history of Islam and its customs and laws. However, as a piece of literature for the Jewish reader to obtain a sympathetic understanding of Islamic thinking, it is a total failure. This book will do nothing for Jews to understand Islam, except for maybe to increase their dislike of it. Sorry, but the book should not be addressed as written for Jews, it is not !

a brief introduction to Islam
This book covers a wide variety of issues relating to Islam.Of course, Islam gets the most press when extremists are massacring people - and to his credit, Firestone does not flinch from examining the relationship between the Koran and modern extremism.He points out that like Judeo-Christian sacred texts, the Koran and other Muslim texts do not speak with one voice: they contain verses favoring tolerance, and verses that are not so tolerant.Thus, it makes no sense to generalize about the "Islamic position" on other religions: both warmongers and peacemakers can find ammunition for their positions (pun intended).

As you might guess from the title, Firestone focuses heavily on the relationship between Judaism and Islam, noting some of the similarities between the two religions as well as their differences.To name a few:

1.Both Muslims and traditional Jews believe that Moses was a prophet who received laws from God.But they differ as to the content of revelation.While Jews of course believe in the Torah, Muslims believe that the Torah does not accurately reflect Mosaic revelation, because much of it was lost or altered over time.

2.Arabic and Hebrew have quite a few similiarities.For example, the most common Arabic word for "God" (Allah) is similar to one of the Jewish names (El), and the Islamic term for charity (Sadaqa) is quite similar to the Jewish term Tzedakah.Even seemingly dissimilar terms often have similar roots: the Jewish term Halakha and the Islamic Sharia both mean something like "the way".

3.Family law is somewhat similar; for example, both traditional Jews and Muslims' tolerance for abortion depends on timing (more so within the first forty days, less so afterwards.Similarly, both traditional Judaism and Islam formally allow only men to initiate divorce, and have had some difficulty creating alternatives that respect women's interests.

Firestone also explains some of the issues dividing Sh'ites and Sunnis; some Shi'tes allow "temporary marriage" (as Firestone explains it, normally a kind of cohabitation) and Shi'is encourage visits to the tombs of holy men, a practice that the most radical Sunnis consider idolatrous.

An Introduction to Islam for non-Muslims, Written by a True Cross-Cultural Scholar
First, let me point out the obvious: There are countless "introductions to Islam" available from bookstores and libraries. Among the best is the Oxford University Press book by John Esposito, "What Everyone Needs to Know about Islam." In fact, Esposito has written several great books for general readers on Islam. I'm a journalist who has written about world religions for several decades and I've got a wide shelf lined with such books from pamphlets to multi-volume sets.

So, why buy this book by Firestone?
First of all, if you're Jewish, you can trust this notable Jewish scholar and the highly respected publishing house, the Jewish Publication Society. I've had the pleasure of hearing Dr. Firestone lecture and it may sound odd to use the words "pleasure" and "lecture" in the same sentence. But his expertise on Judaism and Islam allows him to sketch fascinating and surprising connections down through the centuries.

This book is not chiefly a history lesson. It's an "introduction for general readers" to the world of Islam, but it is solidly shaped by the author's many years of academic work. In short: He knows what he's writing about--and he knows how to describe it all to his intended audience.

I think the book also is a solid choice for Christian readers as well. The book doesn't address many Muslim-Christian connections that exist, but the book is engaging, solid and very well organized.

The book is about 240 pages with an index, glossary and helpful notes filling out another 60 pages. It's divided into three main parts: Islamic History, the Quran and Islamic Law and finally the Muslim community, which describes the branches of Islam that extend into today's world. Within the three sections are a total of 27 chapters, each one focused on a specific topic. So, a small group in your congregation could read a selection of short chapters each week, then talk about that cluster of topics for an hour. It's a great choice for small groups.

Essential Reading
I have known Reuven Firestone for a number of years and read some of his other writings.This book is both scholarly and readable.In particular, the book is organized not to make an argument, but to present facts which can allow a reader to make more informed decisions.In particular, Dr. Firestone emphasizes the importance of approaching Islam without preconceptions, or at least by accepting its validity, something which is often lost in the heat of today's rhetoric.

An Introduction to Islam for Jews
The book was purchased on the recommendation of a good Muslim friend. I am Jewish.It was much more than I expected and had a deep emotional impact on my wife and me. ... Read more

Product Description
Islam features widely in the news, often in its most militant versions.But few people in the non-Muslim world really understand the nature of Islam, both as Ideology and religion.Islam:A Very Short Introduction offers essential insight into the structure and beliefs of this major world religion. Malise Ruthven answers fundamental questions about the nature and scope of Islam such as why the greatest Jihad (holy war) is now against the enemies of Islam, rather than the struggle against evil, why Islam has such major divisions between movements such as the Shiis, the Sunnis, and the Wahhabis, and how the Sharia (Islamic law) has become such an important aspect of Islamic life.In addition, he prompts further questioning into the ideas of Islamic resurgence as both an old and new concept, whether or not women can find fulfillment and equality within an Islamic framework, and the sort of problems facing Islam and its confrontations with the modern world. Offering fresh insights and new information, Islam: A Very Short Introduction provides a much needed discussion of Islams past, present, and future, and its place in modern world religions. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Good for my usage
These short introductions were all used for an accelerated religious studies class, and served their purpose well.I bought them used, then sold to book buy back for a couple of dollars total.Served the purpose well.

Not a useful introduction to the subject
Like other reviewers, I bought this to get the basics of the history, beliefs, and practices of Islam -- I figured the title would mean the book would provide those things. I was wrong. The author spends more time discussing Islam than informing the reader about it. Imagine being an undergrad listening in on the conversation of a few post-doc students who already knew that one another knew the basics, and then some...this is the book you'd write from that. It should have been titled "A Very Short Discussion of the Politics and Historiography of Islam" -- hardly something for beginners. I think I'll go buy a Dummies guide.

INFORMATION OVERLOAD!
I read "Islam: A Very Short Introduction" for a class I am taking on Islam in Africa. I was really hoping to gain more knowledge on the religion that over 1.6 billion people practice. Also, I wanted to learn about the differences between "true" Islam, and the Islam of the fanatical fundamentalists such as Al Qaeda and Saddam Hussein.
Sadly, this book is not the best place to go for that kind of information. It is a short read, to be sure. But the book packs way too much information into a small volume. In some chapters, it is virtually impossible to discern the information given.
However, there is some good information available here. The chapter on the history of the rise of Mohammad the Prophet, and the beginnings of Islam, is very insightful. Also, the appendix gives great insight into the five pillars of Islam.
Overall, "Islam: A Very Short Introduction," is a disappointing overview of Islam. If you're the kind of reader who can amass a vast amount of knowledge in a shor amount of time, then this is the place to begin. But if you're like me, and it takes a while for it to sink in, then other books might be better places to learn from.
Book Grade: C+

A Lot of Information in a Small Package - Good Topic Survey
As I purchased this book b/c I didn't know much about Islam, and wanted a starting point, I found it be very useful to me.I cannot evaluate the accuracy of all the information, as some other reviewers have done.I felt it was a great survey of many subtopics.

Perhaps what disturbed some readers was that the book does not touch only on the "religious" aspects of Islam.However, based on another book I had read, Islam the religion is irreversibly entangled with Islamic politics and society.Indeed, the author of Islam: AVSI states as much with the first three headings in Chapter 1:Islam as Identity, Islam as Political Ideology, and Islam as Faith.This is similar to Jews, who usually identify as Jewish regardless of whether they practice the faith.

I was very pleased with my purchase of this VSI, and highly recommend it.I now go on to further my learning with a trip through a translation of the Quran.

GARBAGE
PLEASE if your interested in learning about ISLAM the religion then looking it up on the web is much more usefull and truthfull than this garbage. you will not be introduced to anything in this short introduction, except the same ani-islamic propaganda that is abundant every were around you. ... Read more

Product Description
This updated version of Islam: The Straight Path includes a new Epilogue by John Esposito in which he addresses the impact 9/11 and its aftermath have had on both the Muslim and non-Muslim world, discussing Islam's relationship to democracy and modernity and focusing more sharply on the origins and growth of extremism and terrorism in the name of Islam.This exceptionally successful survey text introduces the faith, belief, and practice of Islam from its earliest origins up to its contemporary resurgence. Esposito, an internationally renowned expert on Islam, traces the development of this dynamic faith and its impact on world history and politics, discussing the formation of Islamic belief and practice and chronicling the struggle of Muslims to define and adhere to their Islamic way of life. Lucidly written and expansive in scope, Islam: The Straight Path provides keen insight into one of the world's least understood religions and is ideally suited for use in courses on Islam, comparative religions, and Middle Eastern history and culture. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

And a month later....
It took close to a month for me to finally receive this book. I needed it for class, however, it didn't arrive until after my midterm. My advice, order from a different vendor even if it's more expensive. I just want to add, this is my first time writing a negative review and I order plenty of products through Amazon. The fact that I'm expressing my frustration says a lot.

Great Islam 101 Introductory Book
This is a scholarly written introductory book to anyone like me who is curious about Islam. The book can be generally broken down into four parts. The first part talks about the history of Islam.

The second part talks about the belief and practice of this religion. I think for the readers out there who is looking for an in-depth treatment of Islam as a religion, this book is not the right book but it should be a good starting point. At least certain concepts such as 'jihad' and veiling are discussed in detail.

The third and final sections of the book talks about the evolution of Islam through time till present day. Some aspects are rather repetitive (for example, the characteristics of ulama has been mentioned several times), but overall, you get to know the differences between Sunni and Shii, what internal struggles Islam is (or has been) going through, as well as how and why Islam is so tightly integrated to politics and life.

Overall this is a readable (although it can be slightly dry sometimes) and reliable book. My only criticism is that, in the chapters where the modern Islam countries are discussed, for some reasons unknown, countries like Iraq, Syria and Palestine have been completely left out. This is quite a big omission as these countries have huge impact in the Middle East (and evolution of Islam in general).

Islam and its history
Great book.I would recommend it for those who are interested in learnung about the history of Islam.It was extremly informative.

A Historical, Unbiased Overview
A good introduction to Islam and it's history. The author explains the orgins and core beliefs of the relgion. The development of Islam is presented within its social and cultural context (which is how I think most religions should be studied but is especially important in Islam since it is incoporated into every aspect of a Muslim's life), and shows how itboth influened the cultures it appeared it and was influenced by them. I didn't notice any bias one way or the other.
The names of significant figures, leaders and groups are listed and its a little hard to keep straight. The author had a tendancy to repeat certain phrases and sentences from earlier sections almost word for word, which I found annoying but probably wouldn't bother most readers :)

A Very Good Intro to Islam
Esposito does a good job writting an introduction to Islam. This is a worthwhile educational piece for non-Muslims and Muslims alike. ... Read more

Product Description

What should be the place of Shari‘a—Islamic religious law—in predominantly Muslim societies of the world? In this ambitious and topical book, a Muslim scholar and human rights activist envisions a positive and sustainable role for Shari‘a, based on a profound rethinking of the relationship between religion and the secular state in all societies.

An-Na‘im argues that the coercive enforcement of Shari‘a by the state betrays the Qur’an’s insistence on voluntary acceptance of Islam. Just as the state should be secure from the misuse of religious authority, Shari‘a should be freed from the control of the state. State policies or legislation must be based on civic reasons accessible to citizens of all religions. Showing that throughout the history of Islam, Islam and the state have normally been separate, An-Na‘im maintains that ideas of human rights and citizenship are more consistent with Islamic principles than with claims of a supposedly Islamic state to enforce Shari‘a. In fact, he suggests, the very idea of an “Islamic state” is based on European ideas of state and law, and not Shari‘a or the Islamic tradition.

Bold, pragmatic, and deeply rooted in Islamic history and theology, Islam and the Secular State offers a workable future for the place of Shari‘a in Muslim societies.

Customer Reviews (5)

Not worth buying
nice attempt, but fails to demonstrate what the true problems are in Islamic societies and how they can be resolved.

Bringing Islam into the modern age
Before Europe crawled out of the muck of the Dark Ages onto the shores of the Renaissance, Muslims from Egypt to India were widening the borders of enlightenment in their schools of law, science and mathematics, and preserving the collective knowledge of the empires before them, that the Barbarians very nearly obliterated.
Today, we of the West fancy ourselves the enlightened ones, and one of our cartoonish perceptions of the Islamic world is that of a backward, feudalistic and barbaric culture. Nothing could be further from the truth; however, the behavior of some extremist elements, who brandish the Crescent to baptize their political ambitions with religious justification, create ample material for the xenophobes of the West to manufacture damaging stereotypes of Muslim people.
An-Na'im creates a marvelous and important work, laying the foundation for a modern understanding of Islamic ethic and lifestyle that enables Muslims to live and thrive in the political realities of the postcolonial world. Whereas the radical conservative movments within Islam (the only ones we tend to see portrayed on Fox News) seek to stuff the modern world back into the construct of the Caliphate, An-na'im correctly and pragmatically points out that that world has passed away, and that, in fact, it never was real in the first place, at least as it is portrayed by the Islamic right.
Every few centuries a figure comes along who revolutionizes the paradigms that undergird our philosophical, religious, political and social understandings and catapults us into the next level of cultural evolution. Jesus was such a figure in the evolution of Judaism and the birth of Christianity. Martin Luther another in the triggering of the Reformation.The Prophet, as well, in transforming the world of the Arab tribal system and the religious traditions of Judaism and Christianity into what became the Muslim World.
Now, An-Na'im is set to revolutionize the Muslim world itself, providing Islam with the concepts and tools to evolve into a new iteration that will allow both the faith and the communities in which it is practiced to mutually nourish one another.

Book Offers Universal Messages
A new book by Emory Law Professor Abdullahi Ahmed An-Na`im offers a formula for nations and peoples of the world - including the United States and its current presidential candidates -- struggling with the separation of religion and politics.

"The American Constitution got it right on the separation of church and state, but there isn't much clarity of the relationship between religion and politics," said An-Na`im, a senior fellow in the Center for the Study of Law and Religion (CSLR) at Emory University. "You can't separate religion and politics even if you try. Believers will act politically as believers."

An-Na`im wrote Islam and the Secular State: Negotiating the Future of Shari`a (Harvard University Press) to help countries navigate this tricky and treacherous plane, no matter the religion, no matter the geography. The book was first published in Indonesia last year and is available on the Internet in eight languages spoken by Muslims. It is a product of An-Na`im's role in the CSLR's Islamic Legal Studies research project and was funded in part by a grant from the Ford Foundation.

"I want to help clarify the role of religion in society so that it is seen as a positive, humanizing force, not as a bigoted, narrow-minded, destructive force," he said. "The state is the institutional continuity. Countries must be able to keep this alive while allowing elected officials to lead, but without allowing them to take over the state."

An-Na`im, who serves as Charles Howard Candler Professor of Law at Emory, pointed to the Bush Administration's dismissal of federal prosecutors as an abuse of political power. "President Bush used the Justice Department to further his own agenda - he tried to take over the department, he didn't just lead," he said.

One of the ways An-Na`im proposes to keep religion and politics in balance is by using civic reason. "Law and public policy can't be adopted based on religious convictions alone. Non-religious reasons that can be appreciated by all people, including non-believers, should be the basis of adopting a law," he said.

An-Na`im said the abortion issue is a prime example. "Don't say it should be eliminated because it is a sin, because God says so. Give reasons beyond religious convictions so we can all share in the debate."

Another major purpose of the book, says An-Na`im, is to "rehabilitate" Islam. "I worry about the demonization of Islam, which is driven by fear of what the extremists have done and threaten to do. What I speak of in my book is closer to Islam as a religion than what the extremists talk about."

An-Na`im will have help spreading his messages. The Ford Foundation has provided a new, $100,000 grant, this one to hire a public relations firm to promote the book throughout the United States.

"I hope to help people clarify what they already know and accept about the separation of religion and politics. They know this balance is important, but they should know more about defending and working with it," he said.

***

The Center for the Study of Law and Religion at Emory University is home to world-class scholars and forums on the religious foundations of law, politics, and society. It offers first-rank expertise on how the teachings and practices of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam have shaped and can continue to transform the fundamental ideas and institutions of our public and private lives. The scholarship of CSLR faculty provides the latest perspectives, while its conferences and public forums foster reasoned and robust public debate.

Modern Islam
Abdullahi Ahmed An-Na'im has written a book that should be read by Muslims as well as Non-Muslims. It analises the basis of Shari'a and its acceptance through generations of consensus, and in various regions of the world. Based on the studies of the Qur'an by Ustadh Mahmoud Mohamed Taha, his revered teacher, he suggests that the Qur'an and the Sunna provide the irrevocable meaning of Islam, while the Shari'a was their interpretation to establish Islamic law.

He argues that the Qur'an and Sunna provide the original and divine documents derived from the revelations and actions by Muhammad. On the other hand, he believes that Shari'a, being law, can and should continually be reviewed to bring it up to accord with the international regard for human rights, including equality of the sexes, and the separation of state and religion. In fact he argues that such a separation is essential for Islam to be a true religion, where believers join it without pressure or even threat, and quotes the Qur'an in saying that coercive enforcement promotes hypocricy (nifaq).

An-Na'im puts a convincing argument that Shari'a should not be enforced by the state, but state law should allow Islam and other religions and worldviews to be free to act in accordance with their doctrine, albeit also in accordance with the state's acceptance of international law.

I highly recommend this book.

The Liberal Age is not entirely over . . .
It may seem at times as if Islamic political thought has been captured by Qutb, Maududi, and their intellectual descendents.It is hard to remember that from about 1840 to 1940 (the period that Hourani terms the "Liberal Age"), the dominant strain in Muslim political thinking was comprised of the work of Tahtawi, Kayr al-Din, Afghani, Abduh, and Rida, who struggled above all to combine the moral weight of Islam with the science and rationalism of the West.Their goal was to create societies that were progressive and humanist while remaining identifiably Islamic.

The failure of the Islamic modernists was not going far enough -- not finding a new understanding of Islam's relationship to both the socio-historical world and the physical universe.An-Naim is clearly working in this Islamic liberal tradition, but his work has greater promise since he offers what his precursors feared to -- a new synthesis of Islam and politics that goes beyond the traditionalist understanding of the Shariah.

His initial premise is that if Muslims are to be Muslims, the state must remain secular.The Quran tells us clearly that there is no coercion in religion.A state created along the lines set out by Maududi and Qutb, one that would coerce belief, would foreclose the only path to true religious practice -- the path of the religious seeker, finding her own way to draw near to God.

A secular state does not mean one that is outside the influence of religiously motivated Muslims.Individuals can not hope to divorce their religious beliefs from their participation in politics.But policies that incorporate religiously inspired input must be adopted as a result of open, democratic dialogue.In An-Naim's terms, policy congenial to the Muslim community must be adopted through the process of civic reason, not imposed by the state.In order to protect this process, he calls for a constitutional order, a theory of individual equal citizenship, and the guarantee of individual human rights.

One of the most valuable components of the book is An-Naim's impressive scholarship that establishes the fact that the Shariah in concept is an unchanging, comprehensive body of divine law; but that in historical terms it has always been applied by human beings who engaged in "ijtihad", or independent reasoning, to discern what the divine law actually requires of timebound human beings in historical situations. This is a useful counterpose to the position of the Islamic militants who argue, in Maududi's terms, that the Shariah "makes God's regulations very clear and specific and thus provides guidance for the regulations of how man should live".All experience with fundamental law, whether it be the Shariah, the Ten Commandments, or the American Constitution, argues that an-Naim's position is correct and Maududi's is wrong.

An-Naim goes farther than the original Islamic liberals by calling for a basic shift in the interpretation of the Shariah based on the work of Ustadh Mahmoud Mohamed Taha.The new paradigm would emphasize the verses in the Quran that were revealed to Muhammad during the Maccan period rather than the Medinan period.The revelation of the Medinan period was intended for a community surrounded by enemies and at war.That of the Maccan period emphasized more the universal doctrines of Islam.A focus on the latter is more in keeping with the requirements of an Islamic community that is a strong component of an open, democratic, and secular state.

There is more of value in this book.Suffice it to say that it is a required read for those who are interested specifically in the development of Islamic law, and more generally in identifying voices in the Islamic world who call for Muslims to find ways to embrace the future rather than reacting to the past.

... Read more

Product Description

She asks tough questions: "What's with the stubborn streak of anti-Semitism in Islam? Who is the real colonizer of the Muslims—-America or Arabia? Why are we squandering the talents of women, fully half of God's creation?"This is not an anti-Muslim rant. Manji also speaks with passionate love and hope for Islam, believing that democracy is compatible with its purest doctrine. Sure, she's biased and opinionated. But all religions, from Christianity to Buddhism to Islam should be accountable for how their leadership and national allegiances personally affect their followers. One would hope that this honest voice be met with a little more self-scrutiny and a little less anti-personal, anti-feminine, and anti-Western rhetoric. --Gail Hudson ... Read more

Customer Reviews (241)

A Must Read about the real Muslim World
Ms Manji seems to tell the world about the real Muslim world as she sees it.She sort of warns us about being too politically polite because there is some real dangers involved.She tries to explore fixing the situation, but I think it is more difficult than can be imagined.

Captivating Stories Yet Somewhat Unimpressive Writing
This book reads like a Carrie Bradshaw article about Islam. The author takes a very casual, conversational tone with the reader, employing many rhetorical devices and colloquialisms that at times feel contrived. That said, it is entertaining. I found it annoying and unprofessional, however, that there are little to no sources whatsoever to substantiate portions dedicated to direct quotes, etc., despite the fact that the introduction says something akin to "see website for sources." Overall, this piece makes some very interesting points, but the approach is so disorganized and haphazard that the stream-of-consciousness-type writing often seems to completely lack structure, and therefore, loses some of its persuasiveness as far as I am concerned. At the end of the day, though, I must applaud Manji for being an openly lesbian woman, and for bluntly questioning the dogma under which she was raised in a way that most people do not. Her stance is a brave one; her stories are poignant, I just wish the book were a little more analytical and organized in form.

The Wrong Message Does More Harm Than Good
I don't think this woman is bright enough to understand what she's doing.She's trying to convince women to stay in Islam under the ridiculous hope that they will be able to "reform" it.How do you "reform" a Holy Book that was written eight centuries ago, where not a single word in the text can be changed?

The only hope... the ONLY answer... is to run away from Islam and stop calling yourself a "Muslim".Stop saying that you are "submitting" to the evil known as Islam.

I might give her the benefit of the doubt, but I'm still angry over the nonsense in her book.If the words of the Qur'an say that God (not from a human source, but a book that claims to contain statements direct from God) that women can be mistreated, or that Jews are the firewood of Hell.... STOP being a Muslim.

I really dislike a woman who is SELLING the idea of being a Muslim as a good thing, while pretending to raise objections.There is NO WAY to reform this faith.All she can do is FOOL women into remaining Muslims, instead of taking the necessary and more important step of leaving Islam and stop being a "submissive" or Muslim.

so so
She clearly presumes that the reader already knows all about Islam
I don't.
NOt bad, though.

Be ready for a surprise!
Okay, I'm not Muslim, I'm Jewish, but I feel that I understand the Muslim world pretty well. The beginning of the book was a little ranty for my tastes, and I began to think to myself "oh lord, it's just another 'ISLAM IS THE DEVIL!' book," but I was wrong. Once you read though the ranty bit, she gets into a very serious, scholarly, and MATURE discussion of reforms that she feels that the faith needs to go through.

Now, I will say, I don't agree with everything she says, but lord does she present her ideas in an amazing way. She's a great thinker and writer, and I'm really looking forward to reading more of her. ... Read more

Product Description
The Third Choice provides a compelling introduction to Islam onthe basis of its primary sources, the Qur'an and the life of Muhammad.Topics covered include the sharia; interpretation of the Qur'an;abrogation; women's rights (including female genital mutilation); lawful deception (taqiyya); Muhammad's responses to opposition; Islamic antisemitism; religious freedom; and prospects for reforming Islam.

After this critical introduction of Islam, there follows an explanation andcritique of Islam's policy for non-Muslims living under Islamicconditions.  The doctrine of the three choices (conversion, the sword,or the dhimma pact of surrender to Islam) is explained, including an analysis of the meaning of tribute payments (jizya) made by non-Muslims (dhimmis) to their Muslim conquerors.  Durie describes the impact of dhimmitudeon the human rights of non-Muslims in Islamic contexts around the worldtoday, in the light of global Islamic resurgence and advancingIslamization, including pressure being exerted through the UnitedNations for states to conform to sharia restrictions on freedom ofspeech. 

The Third Choice offers indispensable keys forunderstanding current trends in global politics, including the wideningimpact of sharia revival, deterioration of human rights in Islamicsocieties, jihad terrorism, recurring patterns of Western appeasement,interfaith dialogue initiatives, and the increasingly fraughtrelationship between migrant Muslim communities in the West and theirhost societies. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Compassionate, pragmatic, but realistic
This is a very scholarly and methodical approach to explaining the concept of dhimmitude to anyone who will listen, Muslim or not. To be brutally literal, one could argue that dhimmitude per se only refers to civilisations who were under Islamic rule, and since the west is not, then use of the term is misleading. However, it is correct to suggest that dhimmitude is not only a geo-political or historical state, but a state of mind. It is a figure of speech, of sorts, to warn against an uncritical acceptance of Islamic claims. The book is not written for a pro-Christian echo chamber, but rather to those who believe (correctly) that all faiths are deserving of critical scrutiny and reasoned unbiased analysis.

Durie makes no attempt to feign "tolerance", nor pander to those multicultural sensitivities which so stifle honest debate these days. However, he does go to lengths to show compassion for Muslims at a personal level, without patronising them. Where Durie does not compromise, is insisting that "interfaith dialogue" is not a path to learning objectively about Islam regardless of how fashionable this might be to career religionists. He insists that personal study of Islam's own scriptures, overlaid against a backdrop of past and current Islamic behaviour, is the only way to fully understand. Durie doesn't fail at providing real world examples of Islamic behaviour or incidents to underpin his points, and his work is fully referenced. In fact, the scope and depth of his references and their relevance is quite alarming. You might say that this book does not pontificate or editorialise, so much, on the rights or wrongs of Islam, instead crediting the reader with the intelligence and autonomy to work out those moral issues for themselves. Rather, it suggests how these issues can and do affect our own society and how we must deal with it at a personal level.

HIs writing style is scholarly and erudite but could be read and understood by all levels. An excellent and vitally important book.

Frank discussion of dhimmitude and what can be done about it
Westerners have a hard time understanding why Muslims are so sensitive to criticism of their ideology.This new book by an Australian evangelical minister, Mark Durie, provides some valuable insights.The author recounts about a young scholar who was in Egypt and wanted to study the Coptic theological analyses of Islam.He went to the Coptic Bishop in Cairo and asked where he could locate such books.The Bishop told him that they don't exist. How could this be, with Copts living under Islamic domination for 1,400 years?This would be baffling to Westerners, but perhaps not to Copts.

Durie's book gets down to basics in "unpacking" the Islamist thinking about dhimmitude -- the non-Muslim's liability for refusing to submit to Islam -- and jizya -- money paid to Muslims to restore what was their Allah-given rightful inheritance (being the entire world). One of the requirements of dhimmis is that they never criticize Islam or Muhammad, explaining why to this day, any criticism of Islam is seen as a serious offense to Muslims.The book is well-documented and carefully reasoned. It is not your typical anti-Islam rant, nor is it at all preachy.

Non-Muslims must resist the incipient dhimmitude attitude in the West that we shouldn't offend Muslims by criticising their ideology. On the contrary, this fact-filled book will help non-Muslims speak the truth in love to Muslims who most need to hear that their ideology, based on the Quran and the Sunna of the Prophet,runs counter to prevailing attitudes of freedom, equality, and true brotherly love in the West.This message is timely and important.

Brilliant!
This is the book I've been waiting for since before 911. (Yes, I read "Jihad in the west" by Fregosi before 911 and few other important books.)

Open it up and find out what people like Ravi Zacharias, Andrew Bostom, Robert Spencer and Bat Yeor are saying about "The Third Choice".

It maybe the most important book on Islam ever written. I've read more than a few and it is the best one I've ever read. It explains the real reason we are fighting this war on terror. It also explains why so many Jews and Christians have good things to say about Islam. (Yes, that's always confused me too.)

Buy a copy or 100. Every academic, journalist and politician ought to read this book. Atlas Shrugs calls it a "Blockbuster". She's right.


Everyone needs to read this book, even those Muslims who believe that the Sharia is great. Maybe they've never heard about the detrimental effects it had on non-Muslims and Muslims. (Yes Muslims, because extremists don't allow any criticism of the Sharia most Muslims have never even dared to think that there might be a serious problem with trying to implement the Sharia no matter how well meaning or moderate the implementers are.)

Like the dvd "The Third Jihad", "The Third Choice" introduces people to the difficult issues gently. Durie does not avoid the difficult issues or water them down but tells us plainly, from history, what it was like to live under the Sharia and why we must resist it at all costs. After reading this book people will be more inclined to consider what Mark Steyn, Robert Spencer and Bat Yeor have to say.

Just buy it!

Feedback
A must read for all concerned about dealing with a more agressive Islam from a Christian perspective. ... Read more

Product Description
Islam is the way of life for millions of people around the world. Its teachings guide people to live harmoniously and in balance with themselves, others and the world around them. Everyday people come into contact with Islam and those who practice this faith.

The need to know about Islamic teachings has become more important that ever.
As Muslims assimilate the English language into their rainbow of lexicons the need for clear and concise literature grows. This is especially true when one considers that there are millions of Muslims whose native language is now English. In addition, many seekers of knowledge have been yearning for a book that would present the clear and precise Islamic view of life in a format that not only invites further study and research, but that also provides the path to achieve this goal.
What Islam is All About is a textbook designed to meet all of these needs. In one volume is included the basic history of the Prophet Muhammad, (peace be upon him), the teachings of Islam, the history of the ancient Prophets, the study of the QurYan, the Islamic philosophy of the world and life within it, Islamic law. Hadith, contemporary issues and many more.Perfect for Muslim schools, Sunday schools, adult study classes, independent learners, students of religion, seekers of truth and anyone interested to know more about Islam from an insider's point of view.
You will not find a more complete, compelling and pleasant presentation of Islam and what it teaches anywhere else! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Wonderful
This is a wonderful book for all ages. It's easy to understand, and breaks things down into simple concepts that create a good foundation for the rest of the lessons. Highly recommend. It is a great guide for anyone interested in learning or teaching more about Islam.

Covers EVERYTHING in great detail
I live in an area where there are few Muslims.So when I wanted to learn about Islam from a friendly knowledgable guide there was no one available.I also had reservations about learning from someone.

I am very lucky that I found this book.It covers everything about Islam.It doesn't just talk about the spiritual mentality of Muslims, or the history, but goes into detail on functions, manners, lots of how-to sections, the spiritual thoughts behind actions or duties, and much more.It basically teaches someone how to be a Muslim and answers lots of questions.It is a DEFINATE MUST-HAVE FOR ANY AMERICAN CONVERT.

Yahiya Emerick is a wonderful person who converted when he was 19 and has dedicated himself to TEACHING Islam.He has taught in many American Islamic Schools and part-time summer programs.Through this textbook you feel his warmth, understanding, and his passion for bringing people to understand true Islam.

This book is designed to be a young person's textbook.It comes with vocabulary lists and review questions.Don't let that turn you off.I am a 24 yr old female and it has kept me interested every step of the way.I don't do the questions but I appreciate how Br. Yahiya goes over the deep topics in a way so that anyone could understand what would normally sound complex and daunting.I think of this book as my little "Islam Sunday School".

This is just such a great book I would recommend it to anyone whether they were a convert or not because it provides tons of information in a pleasant simple way that allows tough concepts to be digested.It's just absolutly great.I can't say it enough.It's a great educational tool.I have e-mailed Br. Yahiya and told this to him myself.I thank God that I found it.

excellent for all ages, excellent for any level of education
This book introduced the core parts of Islam in a very clear manner, easy for anyone to understand. In addition, it goes into plenty of detail, that I, a practicing Muslim, like to keep as a reference, and it often comes in handy! Would recomment to Muslims and NonMuslims alike.

a window to Islam
What Islam Is All About IBTS, 1997,396 pages, $17.95
Yahiya Emerick 1-889720-14-3
What is Islam about? That is a common question asked by Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Some people study for years and years just to answer this question. The author of this book is one of those people who studied a lot about Islam. Now he finally has an answer.
This book was written by a Baptist Christian who converted(reverted) to Islam. It tells you everything you would want to know about Islam, from Muslim daily habits, to the lives of the Prophets, and even to Islamic government. The author has a very good understanding of Islam and it shows in this book. Since he was a Christian till college, he knows the views of Christians and tells the Christian view of just about everything.
This book also shows a lot about science in the Qur'an. For example in the Qur'anit says that all life was created from water. Today we know that water is the basis of all life and that humans have a high percentage of water in them. Also the Qur'an states that all plants were created with paired organs. Now we know that plants have both male and female reproductive organs. The Qur'an, as always, holds true. These little facts and many others make the book very interesting.
My dad was the one who sparked my interest in this author. He bought every book he could find written by Mr. Emerick. I thought that if my dad thinks he is good then he must be at least mediocre. It turns out I was wrong. He was better than mediocre, he was excellent.
I would highly recommend this book to any Muslim who feels they are missing something in their religion. I would also recommend it to anyone that wants to learn more about Islam or just want to pass some time. In my opinion this book is a masterpiece. 5 stars.

Wonderfully written... Tells EXACTLY what People in ......
The US are NOT told about ISLAM,
this book is EASY to read and does not contain many FOREIGN terms.It made it very easy to understand the BASICs of the REAL ISLAM.
I read this book and nearly half way thru, I reverted (converted) to ISLAM from CHRISTANITY.

Wonderfully written, I could not be happier ... Read more

Product Description
The terrorist attack on the Twin Towers, the Afghan conflict, waves of migration and the presence of twelve million Muslims in the European Union: these are just a few of the things that have helped contribute to a growing interest in Islam, its culture, and its followers. They awaken old and new questions about a religious, cultural, and political reality that 1,200,000,000 people consider themselves a part of.

This book is the result of a series of extended interviews between an internationally acclaimed expert on Islam and two journalists who have dedicated themselves for many years to studying key themes of Islam and analyzing the coexistence between people of different faiths and cultures.

How was Islam born? What does the Koran represent for Muslims? What relationship has developed between Islam and violence, between Islamic culture and the West? How can a real integration of Islam take place in European societies? What are the conditions for a constructive encounter between Christians and Muslims?

Samir Khalil Samir--one of the world's leading experts on Islam--responds to these questions in an in-depth interview that can help one learn and judge for oneself, without prejudice or naivete. This is a contribution in the spirit of the realism needed in order to build adequate ways of living with those who have become our new neighbors. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Questions on Islam reviewed
111 Questions on Islam should be read by Americans and esp. Europeans if they want to get a lucid and well-written
exposition of the meaning and drives of the Islamic World Phenomenon.This book is ground-breaking in its scope and should give pause to anyone who either contemplates Islam as a potential belief system or is searching for the
underlying elements that make up the reality of Islam's inherent drive for World Hegemony.

ISLAM:A BALANCED VIEW
written by journalists to present the views of someone who combined the cultural sensitivities of an Arab and the religious convictions of a Christian, this presentation of the mind of an Arab Jesuit priest impresses as balanced and perceptive. I commend it to all who wish to come to a greater understanding of the likely impact of Islam in the now half-hearted Christian or formerly Christian communities in which it is coming to have an ever increasing presence.

Peter M. Roach,
Hobart,
Australia

Excellent read/Highly Informative on Islam and Culture
I have read many books on Islam.This one is the best because
he explains how Islam plays out in the culture! ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (5)

Three and a Half Stars
Content Summary:Ayoob's book reviews the many political faces of Islam over several countries:Turkey, Indonesia, Pakistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Israel and Lebanon among them. He demonstrates that there is no one monolithic understanding of Islam the world-over, and that politically also there is also a diverse array of movements in Islam, from the democratic (such as Turkey), to the fringe terror groups such as Al-Qaeda (whose impact he says, on Islam, is actually quite limited). His intention was to write an introductory text on Islam and Politics, and in this he partially succeeds.It is a good book, but not necessarily accessible for beginning readers.

Analytical Review: I have to commend Ayoob for a deft and subtle understanding the nuances in religion and politics all over the Islamic world.Readers should be persuaded that there is in fact no one singular Islamic religious or political world-view, and that there is quite some diversity in the approaches and challenges Muslims today are facing.Ayoob is strongest in his analytical overview (the how and why) but weakest in his concrete, historical overview (the who, what, and when).Quite frankly, I suspect many students who are novices who read this book will become lost in many places.For example, he assumes contextual knowledge of major figures such as Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, without giving them more than line or two.The Shah's overthrow, our support for the coup against Mossadeq, get only a line or two also - this knowledge is assumed not imparted, as is knowledge of Khomeini, Sadat, etc. In short he assumes a lot more concrete historical knowledge of Islamic societies than he actually relays, and this will unfortunately detract from the important impact of his thesis.Experts, go ahead and read - but novices I'd advise you to read up on your history first.

Get beyond the surface
Dr. Ayoob's work on political Islam is a timely assault on many of the myths surrounding the nature and threat of Islamic activism that is often portrayed in popular American media. Dr. Ayoob characterizes the majority of these groups under the title of "Political Islam", which he defines as "a form of instrumentalization of Islamby individuals, groups, and organizations that pursue political objectives." In essence, political Islam seeks to apply Islamic principles to the execution of modern government through acquiring the power of the state.

The appeal of political Islam is multifaceted. The author cites the most basic appeal as the romantic notion of a "Golden Age" of Islam at the time of the Prophet and the first four caliphs. The golden age was modeled most prominently in the city-state structure of Medina during this period. Popular conception of this period has been idealized in popular literature and stories much the way the "founding fathers" are venerated in America. This appeal has been maintained throughout the centuries and found major revival in the 19th and 20th centuries as the majority of the Islamic world was brought under European domination during the colonial period.

Dr. Ayoob contends the rise of Arab dictatorships in the mid-20th century has greatly aided the growth of political Islam due to the repressive natures of the regimes which often restricted or outlawed public dissent. Therefore dissent was often voiced through religious, rather than political means, and thus has reinforced the perception that religion and politics are inseparable in Islam. In fact, political repression is often so extreme that if many of these governments fall a religious replacement is the only organized option in many states.

A number of myths regarding the threat of political Islam are addressed in this book. Dr. Ayoob successfully takes on several key contentions of the pundit masses regarding Islam as a monolithic religion. He asserts that "no two Islamism's are alike", and notes that almost every Islamist movement has characteristics specific to its local character despite similar rhetoric. Dr. Ayoob contrasts six political Islamic movements in Saudi Arabia, Iran, Pakistan, Egypt, Turkey, Indonesia, and finally the insurgent groups Hamas and Hezbollah to prove his case.

Dr. Ayoob studies each case where a political Islamic group has risen to power and the resulting effect on civil society. In every example the political Islamist groups have either failed to achieve their lofty goals of a religious state (such as Saudi Arabia and Iran), moderated extreme religious principles for democratic unity (Turkey and Indonesia) , or taken a balanced path (Pakistan and Egypt). In each case, the impact of political Islam was far less radical in execution than rhetoric. One of the key problems for many groups is a common vision of what a perfect Islamic state would look like. Dr. Ayoob largely assigns this to the requirements of governing large and complex societies.

Transnational Islamic groups are also addressed; primarily the Al Qaeda movement and also the "Caliphate" movement that have so captured western attention. Dr. Ayoob contends that for all the scare-mongering, the idea of a renewed Caliphate is a fringe idea, with its base of support among British expatriates. He cites numerous surveys to document the extremely small amount of support these groups have and contends western (primarily US) over-reaction is slowly increasing what little support these groups do enjoy. While dangerous, Dr. Ayoob contends that they have no chance of achieving their lofty rhetoric of Islamic domination. On the contrary, most affiliated groups have local, not transnational, goals.

Overall, the book was a fascinating insight into a subject that is much misunderstood and often demonized in the American media. Dr. Ayoob's dispassionate analysis succeeds in dispelling many myths of an Islamic juggernaut bent on establishing a new world Caliphate. Indeed, most of these movements are local in nature, and political responses to repressive regimes which fail to address the needs of their peoples. The book was highly readable for the student or casual observer. In compiling this book, Dr. Ayoob has done a great service. I would like to see a more mainstream circulation and discussion of these issues in the mass media.

An excellent comparative book
Mohammed Ayoob's "The Many Faces of Political Islam" is a very timely book that de-constructs several of essentialist myths about Islam and Islamist groups. The first and second chapters provide a conceptual overview with clear definitions. The empirical chapters include systematical comparisons of self-proclaimed Islamic states (Saudi Arabia and Iran), leading Islamist groups (Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and Jamaat-i Islami in Pakistan), Muslim democracies (Turkey and Indonesia), Islamist national resistance movements (Hizbullah and Hamas), and transnational Islamists (Tablighi Jamaat, Hib-ut-Tahrir, and al-Qaeda). The conclusion points to the need of democratization in Muslim countries and re-orientation of US foreign policy as solution alternatives to ongoing problems.

A Concise, Enlightening Must-Read on Internal Political Contexts and Dynamics in the Majority-Muslim World
I try to read up on developments in the Islamic world from current events, political, historical and comparative religious perspectives.I learned a great deal from this book about some of the specific dimensions along which political Islam differs in different contexts and some policy-relevant lessons we in the US should take away from such an enriched understanding.

The case studies the author chose were of countries--Egypt, Pakistan, Turkey, Indonesia, Iran and Saudi Arabia--and movements--Hizbollah, Hamas, al qaeda, and 2 other Islamic organizations with a transnational focus---which in addition to being important in their own right are also topical and important for the US to understand and adopt sensible policies towards.

I came away feeling more optimistic than I had expected to about the medium and longer-term prospects for improved living conditions for ordinary people living in majority-Muslim countries--including but going beyond greater freedom of worship and political speech--particularly if the US does not adopt ham-handed policies which impede internal dynamics that we should on the whole welcome.

Essential reading for anyone who wants to understand Islamic politics
Mr. Ayoob has just done readers in the U.S. a great service by writing this book.This book is essential reading for policy makers, students and anyone who really wants to understand what's going on in the Islamic world.

The main problem with many books from the West on Islam and "Islamism" (political Islam) is that they are written from a Western perspective, and so they have inherent biases within them.This is of course a big part of the misunderstandings we have with this part of the world, the fact that we only see these societies and groups through the prism of our own standards and values which is not always concurrent with their own values.Indeed we seem to rarely ever be in synch with the realities of the area.This book puts political Islam into a vernacular that is ready for consumption by a U.S. audience.

One of the most interesting things I found was the author's discussion of the affects that contact with democracy, no matter how limited the democracy, has had on Islamic political groups.The Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas, Hizbullah and many other groups have had contact with some forms of democratic participation with varying degrees of success.The Muslim Brotherhood went from being a group that was suppressed to being allowed limited participation in elected government.When it became clear how much support they had they were once again violently suppressed.The question becomes will they continue down the path of moderation and participation or will their suppression lead to frustration and a recurrence of violence.The Mubarak and U.S. governments have a lot to say about what happens in the future to this group, if they decide that this group is to dangerous and must be suppressed there is a good chance that parts of the organization will become disillusioned and may resort to violence, but if they are allowed to become an active participant there is a real possibility that participation will have a further moderating affect.

Of course when one looks at the example of how Hamas was treated the prospects do not look good.One of the main points from Mr. Ayoob's is just how much of a moderating affect democratic participation can have on Islamic groups as evidenced by Turkey's AKP party.In a strange twist it is now the secularists in Turkey who have become authoritarian while it is the moderate conservative Islamic parties that have become ingrained in the political system that seems to be the voice of reason and moderation.Unfortunately Hamas' experiment in democracy seems to be heading toward abject failure due to circumstances beyond their control.They have not been given the opportunity to really join in the democratic process since they have been assailed from outside from the very beginning of their electoral victory.

This hypocrisy of the West has not gone unnoticed by the Muslim world.How the West purports to advocate democratization but only as long as the right groups get elected.The U.S. especially is generating ill will from this part of the world while at the same time pursuing policies that inhibit moderation.The rhetoric that comes from the U.S. about the moderating influence of democracy may well be true, but until we honestly pursue democratic change, no matter what the outcome for us, then we will be stuck with the same illegitimate, authoritarian regimes that are breeding grounds for disenchanted and potentially violent people.Islam is not inherently violent as some would have us believe, but just like all human beings given the right circumstances they can be forced into lashing out against the objects of their torment, whether that is authoritarian regimes or governments that back those regimes.

Mr. Ayoob does an excellent in job with very few pages detailing for the reader just how divergent political Islam really is.The author speaks of how we in the West tend to think of political Islam as being a "monolith", and he does an excellent job dispelling that myth and showing how each brand of Islamism, while many times espousing a universalistic agenda, is unique to its on context.Each Islamic group incorporates different aspects and theories of Islam to suit their unique situations.While there may be some violent, extremist elements they are a small minority.Many of these groups such as the AKP have shown themselves ready to join in the representative process and attempt to achieve their aims within the system.The author has given us plenty of examples of how democracy has a pronounced moderating affect on these Islamic organizations.It is up to us to focus our attention from the vocal and violent minority and focus our attention on helping the moderate majority, even when this help seems to be in contradiction to our own interests because in the end when these groups join the democratic process we all win.

This is a fantastic book that needs to be read and reread.I am eagerly awaiting the next publishing from this author.


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The standard histories of Muhammad and the early development of Islam are based on Islamic literature that dates to the ninth and tenth centuries--some two centuries or more after the death of Muhammad in 632. Islamic literary sources do not exist for the seventh and eighth centuries, when, according to tradition, Muhammad and his immediate followers lived. All that is preserved from this time period are a few commemorative building inscriptions and assorted coins.

Based on the premise that reliable history can only be written on the basis of sources that are contemporary with the events described, the contributors to this in-depth investigation present research that reveals the obscure origins of Islam in a completely new light. As the authors meticulously show, the name "Muhammad" first appears on coins in Syria bearing Christian iconography. In this context the name is used as an honorific meaning "revered" or "praiseworthy" and can only refer to Jesus Christ, as Christianity was the predominant religion of the area at this time. This same reference exists in the building inscription of the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, built by the caliph `Abd al-Malik.

The implication of these and other findings here presented is that the early Arab rulers adhered to a sect of Christianity. Indeed, evidence from the Koran, finalized at a much later time, shows that its central theological tenets were influenced by a pre-Nicean, Syrian Christianity. Linguistic analysis also indicates that Aramaic, the common language throughout the Near East for many centuries and the language of Syrian Christianity, significantly influenced the Arabic script and vocabulary used in the Koran. Finally, it was not until the end of the eighth and ninth centuries that Islam formed as a separate religion, and the Koran underwent a period of historical development of at least 200 years. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A (revisionist historian) book on the Arab's untrustworthiness of their own language?
Socrates was not known to never wrote anything when Plato learned from him, as well as other early philosophers.If that is so, how do we know that Plato could simply forged everything, assuming from the Babylonians, Egyptians, Persians etc.. What if we presume then,if say the writings of Plato may be the greatest forgery of philosophy works ever wrote, invented and contributed to the so-called Greek Civilization and mythical works of "Dialogues" and Socrates. Strange as it is..but not many scholars were willing to consider, rather being understood such radical ideas from history, Socrates will well be a real figure with a history, if respect is given to his devoted followers and scholars who studied him and carried him to their oral and writing traditions

Hence, unlike the Qur'an, as in the most of the mood of Orientalist to the revisionist scholars in the Qur'an, their perception can be summed up on the Qur'an as below.

1. Muslim are untrustworthy, in the sense of their sources and scholarly interpretation (with a disregard of the nature of piety, faith and the approach of the Qur'an in the Islamic community). In short, secularization of the history of the Qur'an, by excluding the Muslims.
2. Skeptical nature to the Arabs in pre-Islamic to early Islamic history. Approach of Muslim sources from some revisionist to Orientalist scholars includes, "confused people in the history both writing and oral traditions (compared to the so-called Western Civilization of their time", "primitive rerception to intellectual growth" to the "outright deceptive in their works" (an extremely good proof and example of this culminates in the works of psuedo-named author Christopher Luxemberg). In fact, according to some of these Western scholars, what the Muslim in history are and achieved, are simply "second or third hand poor forgeries" of other "foreign works" from "other nations".
3. According to some of the scholars, they are all assumed to be like "Arabs" (with above number 1 and 2 characteristics), even though the companions of the Prophets included the Ethiopian Bilal, the Persian Salman, the Jewish Zayd. Such as they are Muslims, they are hence inherited with the presupposed condition and inferiority of the Arabs, despite whatever their origin are. Some earlier Orientalist even claimed that the Prophet borrows his idea from this people. In short, is the alienation of Arab(of Muslims) and non-Arabs, if even with if there was,will be with the former being deficient and deteriorating intellectual aptitude, if not inferior, compared to the latter.

In summary, this book carries over from earlier interpretation and presumptions of revisionist scholars form Warnsbrough, Mingana, Luiling, Arthur Jeffrey and Andrew Rippin or others to the level of higher skepticism and alternative interpretation on the history and formation Qur'an, without Muslims in the picture. My advise,approach the book with caution, less you would probably end up thinking similar along the lines of those who believe that President Hussein Barrack Obama is a "Muslim", according to the survey done on Americans in American soil recently?

How Islam came into being
Throughout history autocrats have recognized the value of religious ideas and feelings for promoting social cohesion and support for government. Accordingly, autocratically governed empires have promoted official religions and have styled themselves as protectors of their religions and as agents their gods.

In many cultures the origins of religious concepts are obscure.

During the first two and a half centuries of Christianity the religion was independent of and often persecuted by the (Roman) government. Only under Constantine in 312 and following did the government identify with and exploit Christianity. (There is a nice essay on this theme by Shaye I.D. Cohen at[...].)

The book "The Hidden Origins of Islam" deals among other things with the relationship between the Arian form of Christianity in vogue among the Arab aristocracies of southern Iran and eastern Iraq in the 7th century, the formation of the Arab empire in the power vacuum left in those regions following the Byzantine defeat of the Persians in 622 CE, the tangible evidence concerning religious ideas in the Arab empire in the 7th century, and the appearance of Islamic literary documents (other than the Qur'an) in Arabic in the 9th century. I found the first chapter by Popp and the 2nd chapter by Luxenberg particularly compelling.

It will be interesting to see if any of the scholars who work within the framework of the traditional Islamic stories of Islamic origins can find any basic flaws in the marshalling and interpretation of objective evidence presented in this book and in related studies by scholars such as Kalisch.
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The bestselling "Unholy Alliance" is now in paperback! Former Leftist radical David Horowitz blows the lid off the dangerous liaison between U.S. liberals and Islamic radicals. With America's battle against the disastrous force of terrorism at hand, Horowitz takes us behind the curtain of the unholy alliance between liberals and the enemy - a force with malevolent intentions, and one that Americans can no longer ignore. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (160)

Fascinating analysis,but...
This is the third of Horowitz's books that I've read (in a row.) I can't agree with all his points,but his thesis is right on (to use the parlance of my formative years in the '60's.) Like Mr. Horowitz,I lived through the turbulent but exhilirating '60's as a leftist without questioning it to any extent. Forcing myself to reexamine my beliefs in the succeeding years was painful-as it was for him. He was,however,far closer to actual events than I was as an undergraduate (& graduate) college student. I haven't done a 180 degree shift as he has,but that's just an admission,not a criticism. That said,I found his explanation for the seemingly inexplicable phenomena of America's political left to embrace radical Islam enlightening. The fall of international communism has left it rudderless-Islam is the new guru. I find this enraging in a way that I never did the left's bed sharing with communism. As a country we were never attacked as with 9/11. For this reason,I find the left's uncritical defense of the Islamic enemy infurating. Mr. Horowitz's simple but accurate observation is totally correct. For such people,their own country has become the enemy. I look foreward to reading & reviewing more of Mr Horowitz's book.

Denunciation, Not Analysis
A poor effort, by a man capable of insightful analysis.I read this after reading "Hating Whitey", the first 2/3 of which I found compelling and informative.This book is a pure denunciation of the supposedly monolithic Left.I expected a book about the dangers of radical Islam, but half way into the book very little had been said on the title topic.Horowitz loves to use the word screed to refer to Leftist writings, and this word lept to mind continually as I read.Not a book for the open-minded thinker, but for the "in the trenches" mudslinger!

Entertaining propaganda
David Horowitz used to be a "loony lefty". Despite being White and Jewish, he belonged to the Black Panther Party during their *worst* phase, when the Panthers had degenerated and become a racketeering crime gang (they even murdered their own party treasurer, another White person, when she uncovered some illegal drug dealings).

Horowitz, to his credit, left the Panthers after this. Less creditably, he then joined forces with the loony right!

"Unholy alliance" is ostensibly a book about how the American left supports Muslim fundamentalism and opposes Israel. An interesting subject, to be sure. I'm one of those rare leftists loony enough to *oppose* Muslim fundamentalism. Horowitz, however, never really delivers. His book turns out to be a truly demented screed of Cold War propaganda, delivered decades too late. Indeed, the author is so bad at spinning lies and distortions, that the book actually becomes entertaining. Well, at least up to a point. Two-thirds through, I decided not to finish it...

It's a well-known fact, that the United States (in itself a democracy) supported a whole string of right-wing dictatorships during the Cold War. Sometimes, the US even supported Communist regimes or movements, provided these were anti-Soviet. Post-Mao China and the Khmer Rouge (!) after their fall from power comes to mind. Nor were all members of NATO democratic. Both Greece and Turkey were military dictatorships for a period, but neither was excluded from NATO. It's obvious that whatever the "Cold" War might have been, it certainly wasn't a conflict between "democracy" and "Communist totalitarianism".

How does Horowitz attempt to prove the opposite? He claims that the Korean War was a conflict between democracy and dictatorship. But at the time, *both* South Korea and North Korea were dictatorships. So how could the war be a struggle for democracy? Well, says our author, South Korea *did* become democratic 35 years later! Therefore, the Korean War was about democracy...

I'm not kidding. He actually says this.

Many other arguments in the book have an equally surreal quality. The United States, we learn, overthrew Ferdinand Marcos, the dictator of the Philippines. What took them so long? And what about the People's Power movement? Weren't they at least peripherally involved? The author also hotly denies that the United States supported Saddam Hussein during the Iran-Iraq war. "We didn't support Saddam. We just sent him weapons". I suppose this is the loony right-wing version of Trotskyist "military but not political support"!

David H. also denies the genocide of the American Indians. Why, he opines, there are *more* Indians alive today than at the time of the conquista, so how can there have been a genocide? Well, David, aren't there more Jews alive today than at the time of World War Two? Perhaps the Holocaust didn't happen either. Or maybe it just wasn't a "genocide". Besides, the argument about more Indians presumably refers to the entire American continent. In the United States, the Indians are obviously outnumbered by Whites (and maybe even Jews).

And so it goes on, page after page. There is something anachronistic about a book that still today (long after the fall of the Berlin Wall) fights the propaganda battles of the Cold War. I suppose that's why the rest of the book plays the anti-Muslim card. During the Cold War, after all, Usama bin-Laden and other Muslim fundamentalists were "our" allies.

But of course, you will never learn about *that* unholy alliance from a book by David Horowitz.

What a Travesty of Critical Thinking Skills!
Horowitz is nuts. His parents were communist fanatics. He was a supporter of Huey Newton and raised money for the Black Panther Party. In other words, he *was* exactly what he now most claims to most *fear*!

I'll agree that there were some wing-nuts in the far left in the sixties, and there are still some wing-nuts in the far left. But they are few and far between and by no means represent the mainstream left. They're almost an extinct species, in fact. Yet Horowitz seems to see them around every corner and under every stone. He's obviously grown paranoid and scared and probably ashamed of his own sixties, left-wing shadow.

He and people like Bernardine Dohrn *epitomize* everything that was wrong with the sixties. I'll agree with that. But they were a small handful of nut cases. They may have *claimed* to speak for the youth of America and the American left, but they never did.

Horowitz failed to become a celebrity of the extreme left, so he became a celebrity of the extreme right.

Now he's trying to paint the entire "left" as if they are extremists like *he* used to be. And that's utter nonsense. He's just pandering to people's worst fears on the right.

It's hard to say whether he actually believes his own nonsense or not. But my guess is that he's just figured out a way to make a living off of his past mistake of falling in with left-wing idiots, by falling in with right-wing idiots.

He used to be left-wing nut case. Now he's a right-wing nut case. Either way, he's either not rational, or else he's lying and damn well knows it.

Dangerous acquaintances
In this revealing work, Horowitz explores the sinister marriage between Radical Islamism and the intricately networked American Left. Those ideologues who once sided with the USSR and other repressive communist regimes have now embraced radical Islam. Emanating from the extreme left, its influence extends far beyond, encompassing liberal discourse and the mass media. It seems that this radical agenda has succeeded in capturing the heart and soul of the Democratic Party.

Unholy Alliance exposes and dissects the Left in fine detail, seeking for the reasons why it has made an alliance with a reactionary and oppressive religious ideology. And why it tried to undermine the War on Terror by opposing the liberation of Afghanistan and Iraq. The fracture of the consensus in American politics is another topic discussed here. Part One, A Defining Moment, takes the investigation from 9/11, the response of the Administration and the Left's response to that. It shows how the Left declared war on the War on Terror and started organising demonstrations long before any action was taken, becoming the vanguard for Saddam and the Jihadis.

Part Two explores the Mind of the Left in a series that includes communist forerunners, the transition following the collapse of the Soviet Empire, the New Left, the Utopian Idea, the Nihilist Left and the Anti-American Cult. Throughout the book, prominent personalities are highlighted. Among them is Noam Chomsky, discussed with reference to a New Yorker profile where his malice and distortion of historical facts are pointed out. Chomsky's less strident but equally deceptive intellectual twin Howard Zinn also features. His plodding bestseller A People's History of the USA is a prime example of anti-American propaganda.

The main areas of Leftist infestation today are academia, the mass media, literary circles & Hollywood. There is a powerful fisking of Norman Mailer and his detestable piece about 9/11 for the New York Review of Books. Part Three takes a closer look at the alliance with radical Islam and how it operates. It is shown to be an update of the Nazi-Communist entente. The introduction of communist thought and methods into Islam began with the Khomeini revolution in Iran. The last decade saw the Islamic transformation of the Palestinian struggle which was completed by year 2000.

Chapter 16, The New Radicalism, revisits the UN's Conference Against Racism in Durban, South Africa. This is where an array of dictators and tyrants met for a freak-show to condemn the West and where the Nihilist Left first showed its true colours. Israel, the USA and the UK were the only countries attacked by a bunch of the most oppressive regimes including Sudan and Zimbabwe. The atmosphere was moreover permeated with Antisemitism. This gathering brought together the radical Islamists with American NGO's and other Leftist organisations. The Ford Foundation funded it. Months later this coalition would re-emerge as a global movement against the War on Terror. From it also sprang the World Social Forum, another organisation dedicated to anti-capitalist nihilism.

Parts 4 looks at the War at Home by discussing the Anti-War protests and revealing their financiers and organizers. Homeland Security and the assault on the Patriot Act are further subjects. Part 5, A Nation Divided, demonstrates how the Democratic Party shifted from supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom to becoming vicious opponents using tactics unprecedented in a time of war. The transformation happened in a few months, as revealed by the words of people like Al Gore and Jimmy Carter.

The chapter Anti-War Democrats indicates how prominent leftists have gained power in the Democratic Party. The epilogue deals with the 2004 presidential campaign, providing plenty of damning evidence from the rhetoric and tactics of the Kerry side. Horowitz concludes with the observation that there are now Two Americas that matter: An America that embraces its heritage and vision, and an America that has seceded from both.

Unholy Alliance demonstrates convincingly that the American Left today is far more dangerous than loony. The book concludes with 34 pages of notes and a thorough index. I also recommend The Anti-Chomsky Reader by Horowitz and Collier, The Death Of Right And Wrong by Tammy Bruce, Eurabia by Bat Ye'or and Anti-Americanism by Jean-Francois Revel.
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Customer Reviews (148)

If you've ever been to Jihad Watch, you'll see this is nothing new
This clinical analysis of Islam--asking and answering about 8 questions that are essential to how we should perceive Islam--is straightforward and loaded with historical evidence (especially Mohamed's rise to power as a Mao-like, religio-political autocrat, and extensive quotes from the Quran and hadith) that it should knock the socks off anyone who's not already familiar with Robert Spencer's work. But I am, and there's not much new here that I haven't already read on Spencer's Jihad Watch website. Oh well.

Highly recommended for beginners who want to to dip their toes into the pool of scholarship on Islam. For those who already are familiar with expansive, repressive, totalitarian Islam and are ready for answers about how to defeat it, skip this book.

Islam Unveiled - Robert Spencer
We have purchased numerous copies of this publishing as gifts for friends and co-workers.And, have locally had difficulty finding copies.We then tried Amazon, sunsequently now making several orders.Each and all orders, delivered as promised, priced right, protective packaging, received without even a bent page.Thank you for your continuing quality service and products.

Not Impressive!
I was curious to read this book after looking at some reviews at Amazon.com. My reading of this book turned out to be a sheer disappointment, and led to some research on few accounts that Robert Spencer has presented in this book.
As the title of this book depicts, "disturbing questions about the world's fastest growing faith", the adherents to Islam are increasing every day. Robert Spencer did not explain in this book why? Although, I found this on his website ([...]): "There are many attractive elements of the religion. Its adamantine certainties appeal to many people who are disgusted with the current relativism and amorality of the Western world. Also there are many rich and grand aspects of Islamic history and culture which also make the religion attractive today. The global jihad against the West today also helps Islam gather converts in the West from among groups that feel themselves to be oppressed or marginalized. Conversions have been stimulated by successful, if often fanciful, Muslim efforts to present Islam as a religion free of the sins of the West -- particularly racial discrimination."
I don't see this explanation convincing. I am rather convinced by the explanation given by John Esposito in "What Everyone Needs To Know About ISLAM". He explains: "Muslims represent a broad spectrum of racial and ethnic groups. Racial and ethnic diversity in Islam is represented by two broad Muslim groups: indigenous and immigrant. In America, in addition to indigenous African-American Muslims, prominent immigrant ethnic groups include Arabs, Pakistanis, Afghans, Africans, Albanians, Bangladeshis, Bosnians, Indians, Iranians, Malaysians, Indonesians, and Turks."
This was just a hiccup I had on the title. Now, let's turn to his book.
Questionable Translation:
I found out that Robert Spencer has referred to N.J. Dawood's translation when he has translated verses in this book. Let see how he sees N.J. Dawood's translation as he states on his web site "[...]":
"N. J. Dawood's is the most readable in English. However, most versions do not mark the verse numbers precisely. Some non-Muslims don't like it because he uses "God" for Allah, although since Arabic-speaking Christians use "Allah" for the God of the Bible, and have for over a millennium, this is a problem for poseurs and pseudo-scholars but is not really a serious objection to anyone who knows both languages."
Let's see who is N.J. Dawood? As I found this on "[...]":
"Nessim Joseph Dawood was born in 1927 to an Iraqi Jewish family in Baghdad, Iraq. He emigrated to England in 1945 as an Iraq State scholar, and settled there. He graduated from the University of London. He is known for his English translations of the Qur'an, Tales from the One Thousand and One Nights (Penguin Classics) and his edition of the Muqaddimah of Ibn Khaldun. Dawood's translation of the Qur'an, titled "The Koran", used to be at one time the world's best-selling English translation of the Qur'an.
In the first edition of his translation of the Qur'an, in 1956, Dawood rearranged the chapters (suras) into more-or-less chronological order. Later editions restored the traditional sequence.
Some have criticized Dawood's translation for "inaccuracies". One of the many "inaccuracies" is that in an earlier edition, the phrase "Children of Adam" (Sura 7:31) was wrongly printed "Children of Allah" owing to an oversight by the printers' proof-reader. Another is that in the verse that says "oppression is worse than killing" (meant to show how evil oppression is - Sura 2:217), Dawood translates it as "idolatry is worse than carnage". Although there have since been seven major revisions with more than 55 reprints over five decades, these "mistranslations" are still being perpetuated."
My Question: As N.J. Dawood was a Jew who translated a controversial translation of Quran, I am just wondering how many Jews and Christians will accept Tanakh, The Old Testament, and The New Testament translations from a Muslim? Why Robert is referring to Dawood's translation when other well accepted translations, such as, Abdullah Yusuf Ali, Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall and Sahih International are readily available?
Now look at some translations:
On page 28, he writes, "According to Quran, the "self-sacrificer" has much to look forward toward to: "He that leaves his dwelling to fight for God and His apostle and is then overtaken by death, shall be rewarded by God" (sura 4:100)
I found the full translation as: "And whoever emigrates for the cause of Allah will find on the earth many [alternative] locations and abundance. And whoever leaves his home as an emigrant to Allah and His Messenger and then death overtakes him - his reward has already become incumbent upon Allah. And Allah is ever Forgiving and Merciful." (sura 4:100)
The two translations show completely different scenarios. The verse was referred to emigrants who died on their way from Mecca to Medina while making Hijra (flight) to Allah and His Messenger. Robert Spencer twisted the verse to make his point against "self-sacrifice" (suicide attackers).
He has referred to verse 48:29 on many occasions. The verse 48:29 in Dawood's translation is found as following; "Muhammad is God's Apostle. Those who follow him are ruthless to unbelievers but merciful to one another".
The Arabic world in Quran is "Ashidao", which means "strong" or "powerful". But he translated it as "ruthless". For my curiosity I looked at three different translations, and I found the following translation;
Abdullah Yusuf Ali translation, "Muhammad is the apostle of Allah. And those who are with him are strong against Unbelievers, (but) compassionate amongst each other".
Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall translation, "Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. And those with him are hard against the disbelievers and merciful among themselves."
Sahih International translation, "Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; and those with him are forceful against the disbelievers, merciful among themselves.
Also, the same root word has been used at least three times in chapter 9 and none of them translates it as "ruthless". The verses are as following;
9:69; "As in the case of those before you: they were mightier than you in power, and more flourishing in wealth and children."
9:81; "Go not forth in the heat." Say, "The fire of Hell is fiercer in heat."
9:97; "The Bedouins are stronger in disbelief and hypocrisy and more likely not to know the limits of what [laws] Allah has revealed to His Messenger. And Allah is Knowing and Wise."
I somehow agree with Karen Armstrong as she says: he deliberately manipulates the evidence to support his thesis. (Armstrong, Karen (April 27 2007), "Balancing the Prophet", FT.com (Financial Times), [...]
Wrong Reporting:
On page 53, he writes, "Abu Jahl was killed while walking amongst the people". In all tradition it is reported that he was killed right in the battle of Badr while fighting against Muslims along with other Meccan leaders. I don't know from where did he get this information? His reporting about Umayia, Abu Lahab and Ka'b bin alAshraf (page 53-55) is also incomplete as their fates are well documented in Hadith books. I don't think Robert has done a thorough research on this subject.
On page 55, he quotes verse 9:73 as "deal rigorously" with unbelievers. Let us look at the verses 9:73-75;
"O Prophet! strive hard against the unbelievers and the Hypocrites, and be firm against them. Their abode is Hell, - an evil refuge indeed. They swear by Allah that they said nothing (evil), but indeed they uttered blasphemy, and they did it after accepting Islam; and they meditated a plot which they were unable to carry out: this revenge of theirs was (their) only return for the bounty with which Allah and His Messenger had enriched them! If they repent, it will be best for them; but if they turn back (to their evil ways), Allah will punish them with a grievous penalty in this life and in the Hereafter: They shall have none on earth to protect or help them. Amongst them are men who made a covenant with Allah, that if He bestowed on them of His bounty, they would give (largely) in charity, and be truly amongst those who are righteous."
The above verses show why Muslims were commended to strive hard and firmly against unbelievers and hypocrites (because of the blasphemy after accepting Islam and plotting evil against the Prophet).
In the next line Robert talks about the fate of Jewish Tribe of Bani Qurayzah. As he has done through out this book by skipping the relevant details that help to understand the situation, he concludes the beheading of seven hundred men. The question in hand was why Muhammad ordered to do this? I looked into the details and found the following:
Siege of Medina - Battle of Khandaq (Battle of the Trench).
"During the battle, the Jewish tribe of Banu Qurayza, located at the south of Medina, had entered into negotiations with Meccan forces to revolt against Muhammad. Although they were swayed by suggestions that Muhammad was sure to be overwhelmed, they desired reassurance in case the confederacy was unable to destroy him. No agreement was reached after the prolonged negotiations, in part due to sabotage attempts by Muhammad's scouts. After the coalition's retreat, the Muslims accused the Banu Qurayza of treachery and besieged them in their forts for 25 days. The Banu Qurayza eventually surrendered and all the men, apart from a few who converted to Islam, were beheaded, while the women and children were enslaved." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad#Siege_of_Medina)
Aftermath: Siege and demise of the Banu Qurayza
Following the retreat of the Confederate army, the Banu Qurayza strongholds were besieged by the Muslims. After a 25 day siege the Banu Qurayza unconditionally surrendered. When Banu Qurayza surrendered, Muslims seized their stronghold and their stores. On the request of the Banu Aus, who were allied to the Qurayza, Muhammad chose one of them, Sa'ad ibn Mu'adh, as an arbitrator to pronounce judgment upon them. Sa'ad, who would later die of his wounds from the battle, decided the men shall be killed and women and children left alone. Muhammad approved of this decision, and the next day the sentence was carried out. The men - numbering between 400 and 900 - were bound and placed under the custody of Muhammad ibn Maslamah, who had killed Ka'b ibn al-Ashraf, while the women and children were placed under Abdullah ibn Salam, a former rabbi who had converted to Islam.
Scholars argue that Muhammad had already decided upon this judgment before the Qurayza's surrender, and that Sa'ad was putting his allegiance to the Muslim community above that to his tribe. One reason cited for such punishment is that Muhammad's previous clemency towards defeated foes had been repeatedly betrayed, was in contradiction to Arab and Jewish laws of the time, and seen as a sign of weakness. ([...])
The above mentioned accounts on historical events are just a tip of the iceberg in the scrutiny of this book. Reading this book from start to finish contains such discrepancies. I will say to the readers of this book if they really want to read what Islam says about Human Rights, Women Status, Slavery, Dhimmis, Science, Democracy, Politics and many other critical issues then read "After Jihad" by Noah Feldman, "What Everyone Needs To Know About ISLAM" by John Esposito and "The Bible The Quran and Science" by Dr. Maurice Bucaille.

This Should Be A Mandatory Read!
Really broadened my understanding to Islam.By in large, I just considered Islam another religion without familiarity with Islam historically in context of its development, nor how Islam viewed the 2 other major religions: Judaism and Christianity. This book should be a must read for non-Muslims!

Seeds of hatred
If you need one word to describe robert spencer's views, it will be 'Hate'.

This is one man's Islamophobia at its best. A classic bestseller, indeed, for radical individuals who will just fall for any excuse to renew their hatred against Islam. ... Read more

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The origins of Islam have been the subject of increasing controversy in recent years. The traditional view, which presents Islam as a self-consciously distinct religion tied to the life and revelations of the prophet Muhammad in western Arabia, has since the 1970s been challenged by historians engaged in critical study of the Muslim sources.

In Muhammad and the Believers, the eminent historian Fred Donner offers a lucid and original vision of how Islam first evolved. He argues that the origins of Islam lie in what we may call the "Believers' movement" begun by the prophet Muhammad—a movement of religious reform emphasizing strict monotheism and righteous behavior in conformity with God's revealed law. The Believers' movement thus included righteous Christians and Jews in its early years, because like the Qur'anic Believers, Christians and Jews were monotheists and agreed to live righteously in obedience to their revealed law. The conviction that Muslims constituted a separate religious community, utterly distinct from Christians and Jews, emerged a century later, when the leaders of the Believers' movement decided that only those who saw the Qur'an as the final revelation of the One God and Muhammad as the final prophet, qualified as Believers. This separated them decisively from monotheists who adhered to the Gospels or Torah.

Customer Reviews (6)

Disappointing read
I had expected a book that would illuminate my understanding of the origins of Islam, but instead found it to be repetitious, boring, and less than helpful in providing the enlightenment that I had hoped for.Perhaps there is such a book; this is not it.

And listen, too
I haven't yet read the book but, based on the interview with Fred Donner at KUER, I've put it on my reading list.Instead of a legitimate review, a tip:listen to the interview. It's intriguing. KUER is the public radio station in Salt Lake City.The program is "Radio West."The interview took place on 9/10/10. It's available on iTunes as a podcast from PRI (Public Radio International) -- and will be available for a couple of months from that date.

Fascinating topic meticulously researched
Fred Donner is a top scholar in the field of Near Eastern Studies at the University of Chicago and the pedigree shows here. But while some fine academics will produce good academic results, Donner has managed a far more difficult achievement--making the topic approachable for the person with a more general interest.

The classic challenge in studying the period of Muhammad and the century following is disentangling legend from fact. The sources are generally late and external historical sources almost completely absent. It seemed to me that Donner had made the best of a difficult lot.

If you have a yen to know what happened in the Arabian peninsula that set the stage for the Muslim expansion across the Mediterranean, this is the best book you can find on the subject.

An objective look at the beginnings of Islam
Back in the early 1980's while the Cold War was still raging, I used to joke that I must be on some FBI and/or CIA watchlist because of my growing collection of books on the Soviet Union, including books (in translation) authored by Soviet writers who were not dissidents.My curiosity about all things Russian stemmed from my idea that you can't "hate" an enemy that you know nothing about.

Fast forward to 9/11 when we realized that we were facing a new enemy, radical Islam.Again, my curiosity was sparked, but finding books about Islam that didn't demonize it have been difficult to come by.Author Fred M. Donner, a professor of Near Eastern History at the University of Chicago, presents us with an objective look at the beginnings of Islam in his book "Muhammad and The Believers", which he has been working on since 2000.It is a badly needed perspective on the hotly debated subject of the origins of some of the more radical beliefs espoused by today's terrorists.

Most books and opinion pieces today take one of two positions.Either Islam is a religion of peace or it is a religion of jihad.Professor Donner shows us that it is both.Islam started out as a radical movement of monotheists in an area of the world dominated by polytheists.Members of the movement, who called themselves The Believers, stood out from other cults and religions because of their piety and righteous behavior.Initially, they embraced Christians and Jews who were also pious.It was only after the death of Muhammad and the question of succession had been settled after two civil wars that Islam was rigidly defined and codified, restricted to only those who followed the teachings of the Koran who were now called Moslems.

Towards the end of Muhammad's life, The Believers embarked on what we today call jihad, battling the adjacent Persian and Byzantine Empires that they considered ungodly.Within just a few generations, Islam had spread across North Africa and into Spain.Admittedly, the initial impetus to the expansion was the overthrow of neighboring infidel empires, but after some time, the Islamic leadership began to depend on the revenue generated by taxes imposed on subject states.

I think that this is what should concern us in the 21st century.Those who claim that modern day jihadists are twisting Muhammad's teachings or that jihad is a modern concept are wrong.Jihad and the forced conversion or overthrow of non-Islamic states is nothing new.It has been going on since the founding of Islam.But, just as Christianity was able to evolve from the militancy of the Crusades and the Inquisition, to more peaceful means of recruiting new members, so should Moslem leaders begin to turn their followers from the concept of violent jihad to non-violent jihad, converting new members with missionaries rather than soldiers.

Although written for a popular audience, Professor Donner is unable to break out of his scholarly writing mode.He has taken a subject that is incredibly fascinating and made it dry, dry, dry.Dull, dull, dull.I literally fell asleep several times while reading it.In the future, I would suggest that he employ a ghost writer geared toward popular readership.The topic that he writes about is much too important not to be accessible to as many people as possible.

Fascinating if somewhat speculative
This is a lucid, well-written, and fascinating introduction to the rise of Islam.Donner, a leader in his field, has produced a work that both introduces readers to the basic conventional narrative of Islam's early phase while at the same time providing a very distinct interpretation based on cutting edge research.The entire work is highly instructive.That said, the paucity of direct contemporary evidence necessarily lends a somewhat speculative quality to the endeavor. To his credit, Donner is not nearly as dogmatic as some historians who basing their interpretations on early traditions, only written down long after the fact, feel justified in asserting that the rise of Islam can only be attributed to one particular factor.In the end, Donner stresses the importance of politics and religion as motives for expansion.He makes a key decision in taking the Koran as a comparatively authoritative source on the early history of Islam.The logic--mainly internal linguistic and literary clues--seems at least somewhat reasonable.That said,the book displays some inconsistency when it comes to looking past the earliest years of Islam to the expansion outside Arabia. Here, the earliest contemporary accounts do stress the role of warfare and conflict in spreading the realm under the control of the new faith, but Donner points to the absence of archeological evidence of war's destruction to at least minimize the logic inherent in the few somewhat contemporary accounts.If the earliest accounts would tend to be most accurate, why would that not be true for all of the key early phases of Islam? Depending as it does, to a large extend on the internal terminology of Islam, Donner also makes the interesting argument that the followers at first saw themselves chiefly as ardent believers in strict monotheism and only later began to define themselves more as Muslims.That could have been the case, but could there also have been other reasons for such shifts in terminology? Still, this book should prove extremely interesting and informative for anyone interested in the early history of Islam.It is not suitable for readers who only want to have prior prejudices confirmed. ... Read more

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The media bombards us daily with disturbing images and reports related to terrorist threats from radical, fundamentalist Islamists. Is Islam a peaceful religion or a seedbed for terrorism? What are the differences between Christianity an Islam? What does the Koran teach? How closely related are the Bible and the Koran?
Islam & Christianity is the best resource available in today's market to help seekers find the answers to these very important and timely questions. James Gauss presents us with an insightful and interesting contrast between Islam and Christianity, enabling people of all faiths to understand the difference between the two religions. This book delves into both the Bible and the Koran and a multitude of other sources to show how Christianity and Islam are on a collision course because of the distinct differences between the two.
James Guass sheds light on the practices and teachings of Islam that will enable non-Muslims to understand the battle that is before them and to make vital choices for the future. Islam and Christianity gives a clarion call to the Church and society, a call that is a prophetic warning to us ... Read more

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A complete and compelling account of the fall of Constantinople, the siege that gave rise to today's jihad.

When Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Turks in 1453, a remarkable era in world history ended. Constantinople, the "city of the world's desire," was a wealthy, imperial, intimidating, and Christian city, influencing world opinion for a thousand years. The fall of Constantinople marked the end of the Byzantium Empire and the end of the medieval era. Thereafter, two worlds would rise -- that of the West and that of the Middle East.

1453 is brought to life by the stories of its two ambitious battling leaders-Mehmed II, sultan of the Ottoman Empire, and Constantine XI, the 57th emperor of Byzantium. It is a vivid, intense tale of courage and cruelty, of technological ingenuity, of endurance and luck. Impeccably researched and told as a real-life adventure, the book explores the issues that led up to and resulted from the fall of Constantinople in a way that is easily grasped and jumps from the pages into the headlines of world news. 1453 is the story of a moment of change that has new relevance today -- a crucial link in the chain of events that besets the modern world. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (42)

If you can overlook the beginning and the ending, it's not too bad
My rule of thumb for predicting that a presentation, sermon, political speech, or even blog post is going to fall flat: it begins with the phrase "Webster's dictionary defines the term as blah blah blah blah."I may as well turn my ears off after I hear that.

This book starts with about the same dynamic -- an hypothetical bird soaring over the city to give us a bird's eye view of the gathering foe.It's hard to read when you are rolling your eyes at such a lame beginning.

But the book gets going.It's well written -- it does a good job setting up the personalities of Mehmet and Constantine, and their cultures.Crowley includes maps, illustrations, and a center section of portraits and sketches.He develops the various ethnic groups and their roles and conflicts.

As the story of the seige gets going, the book gets jumpy with dates.We read what happens on May 14, then May 6, then May 3, then May 13.It happens again -- we get information about May 14, then May 16, then May 21, then May 19.A couple of nice details get repeated almost word-for-word (for example, the information about John Grant, and the detail of how the bronze for the Turks' cannons came from melting down churchbells), so that what was interesting the first time became sloppy writing the second time.

The chapter titled "The Present Terror of the World" is best skipped altogether;it is basically incoherent.Crowley believes that the response in Christendom to the fall of Constantinople was massive overreaction and hysteria.Those silly Westerners had nothing to fear... then Crowley lays out Mehmet's annual campaigns pushing further and further West.Mehmet saw himself as a meesianic warrior, taking jihad across Europe.But when Europeans see Mehmet as a messianic warrior bringing jihad across Europe, Crowley pooh-poohs their fearful responses.It wasn't overreaction or hysteria the West was feeling; it was the plain, reasonable truth.Crowley does this back-and-forth between Mehmet's own goals and conquests and the Westerners' being superstitious about the whole thing -- three times in one chapter.Skip reading it.

The last chapter details some of the mysteries surrounding the seige and the fall of Constantinople, and the Note about Sources goes into further detail.

This book is good in some parts, but ok at best in others.Read Runciman.

The Battle of East and West
At the outset I wanted to state that I do not profess to be an expert on military strategy and tactics, nor knowledgeable about the history of Constantinople (that is before reading this book).Although I am not an expert in this field and I cannot comment on the strengths of the research, I do think that I have some comments that would be valuable for readers.For starters I can say that the references to many primary resources adds power to the writing.Secondly, although the reading can initially appear dense, on further analysis the reader will note the great amount of information that lies in the text.Thirdly, I think this can be used as a good introductory textbook for military strategy and tactics, specifically siege warfare.

This book, 1453: The Holy War for Constantinople and the Clash of Islam and the West, recounts a great war between the Turks and the Greeks in the historical city of Constantinople during the year 1453.This was a war in which the Turks laid siege to the great fortress city of Constantinople.The author, Mr.Roger Crowley, depicts the city of Constantinople to be on the brink of two worlds, Europe and Asia, and how these worlds collided at this time in history.Having lived in Istanbul (formerly Constantinople), Mr.Roger Crowley is able to provide a great description of the historical city.The reader can readily observe that the book was thoroughly researched.

At times in some sections the military strategies and tactics can be highly descriptive.It might appear heavy to absorb, and slow reading.These sections contain good information although it might require more time and patience from a reader.Below is an example of this attention to detail:

"The seashore was guarded by a single unbroken wall at least fifty feet above the shoreline interspersed with a chain of 188 towers and a number of small defended harbors.........The Horn itself provided an excellent sheltered anchorage for the imperial fleet; 110 towers commanded a single wall along this stretch with numerous water gates and two substantial harbors, but the defenses were always considered vulnerable."

Furthermore, the author's inclusion of sketches of people, and major military landmarks such as fortresses throughout the book was a helpful aid for the reader to visualize the historical time and assisted in bringing the story of the siege war to life.

I feel like I want to visit Istanbul after reading this book.Although, not being proficient in military strategy it did take me a long time to read this book, which may not be the case for others more versed in the subject matter.I would recommend this book to those avid fans of history and also those interested in studying military strategy and tactics.

A real-life Lord of the Rings
Roger Crowley's 1453: The Holy War for Constantinople and the Clash of Islam and the West reads like a real-life The Lord of the Rings. It's action-packed and brimming with detail about the city and battle. By the middle of the novel, we get almost day-by-day blows of the fighting, as if written by a war correspondent who had witnessed the scenes. Crowley did a great service in making such a readable account of a crucial event in history. Hopefully, his engaging account will attract even readers who don't normally both with history. I would highly recommend this to anybody interested in history, or even adventure novels! (trust me, it's almost as good as Lord of the Rings).

A good read.Flawed Mind.
I came to 1453 after Empires of the Sea.I have no pretensions about Crowley or his work: it is popular history.I do not mind, and that is what I read instead of Fiction.With that said, 1453 does contain some embarrassing biases and apologies.Crowley goes out of his way to defend the Turks from charges of barbarism, saying things like "everybody was doing it."He seems to think little of Europeans who would not give the Turks credit for the Victory and claim that European technology and expertise brought down the walls of Constantinople, but he does the same thing in talking about Turkish barbarity: they learned it from Europeans."Impalement, especially as a means of demoralizing besieged cities, was a widely practiced shock tactic that the Ottomans had learned in the Christian Balkans."Oh, that makes it better.It was part of the cultural milieu of the time.How about when the Turks later in the book saw their captives in half because they promised not to behead them?Treachery learned from the Franks?If only they had stuck to the purity of the Koran.

It is an understatement to say that it is disingenuous to lay Ottoman success purely in its own lap and then blame its vices on the Westerners.

He later defends Mehmet from charges that he had a family killed because they would not hand over their 14 year old boy for the pederastic pleasure of Mehmet.Why does he feel the need to do this?This makes a guy who routinely killed his own advisors look better?Look, sieges are nasty business, as is war, and anyone who engages in such activities knows that he will get his hands dirty.It is part of the picture.No need for an author to defile his own soul defending these things.Men are capable of good and bad.The historian's role is to point out instances of both.

A great read!
I've been reading books about Contantinople for 40 years and Mr. Crowley has done a wonderful job. I am rereading it in preparation for a trip to Istanbul and once again, I can't put it down. Empire of the Seas is equally superb. I'm on the lookout for a new book by this very talented author. ... Read more