A brief guide to Islam History, faith and politics : the complete introduction

Review by Publisher's Weekly Review

Grieve, a London-based writer and self-styled student and traveler of the Islamic world, puts forward a riveting book on Islam that decries and then corrects the widespread ignorance about the faith and its history. He consistently jolts the reader out of preconceived notions about Islam and Muslims, particularly concerning the Palestinian conflict. Grieve's precise insights into the Muslim worlds, past and present, are astonishingly accurate. He provides the real and surprising backstory on everything from the Crusades and colonialism to Muslim immigration to Europe and women under Islam. He also provides succinct introductory information on Islam, including recommending Qur'an translations and reviewing standard prayer techniques. Of the harsh reputation Islam has received in the West, Grieve writes: "The universal message of Christianity would be similarly diminished... if the faith were to be defined only by reference to sectarian murders in Northern Ireland, the history of the Spanish Inquisition, or the sad stories of lust and greed in modern television evangelism." His book is by no means an ode of praise to Islam; he is properly critical of the marginalization of women in Muslim societies, which he argues will hold the Muslim world back. If you read only one book about Islam this year, this should be it. (Apr.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

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Review by Library Journal Review

Grieve (Christ All-Sufficient: The Unveiling of the Messiah in John 1-12) starts his book with a look at the similarities and differences among the three major world religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. From there, he explores the history of Islam and the foundations of the culture that grew out of the Islamic faith. Particularly good are his explanations of the history of the Middle East. For a reader unfamiliar with the region or the religion, the book offers an understandable historical overview of the area and a description of the belief system and practices of Islam. Included are short biographical sketches of important Islamic figures and descriptions of places of interest to Muslims. The last chapter offers helpful tips for anyone traveling to Muslim countries. The book is nicely written, objective, and well researched, but no references are given, and there is little information available on Grieve, who is described in the publisher's catalog as "an unbeliever; not a born-again Muslim, a proselytizer or a frustrated desert romantic." An appropriate addition to public libraries.-Jennifer Kuncken, Williamsburg Regional Lib., VA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

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