Going beyond the shallow distinction between a "true" peaceful Islam and the "hijacked" Islam of terrorist groups, Robert Spencer probes the Qur'an and other sacred documents, as well as Islamic traditions and history and the present-day situation of the Muslim world, to find out why the world's fastest growing faith tends to arouse extremism.
A student of the religion for the last twenty years, Spencer brings a knowledgeable and critical sensibility to this brave, searching work. Cutting through the touchy and sentimental relativism of so much current discussion about the subject, he rigorously interrogates Islam.
Were Osama bin Laden and his followers perverting Islam when they claimed to find sanction in the Qur'an for their attack against the United States?
Does the explanation for the grim human rights record of Islamic countries lie in basic Muslim beliefs?
Can Islam create successful secularized societies that will coexist peacefully with the liberal, multicultural world of the West?
In this captivating, carefully researched book, Robert Spencer asks the hard questions about Islam and gives the hard answers, providing a profoundly needed antidote to the wishful thinking and willful distortions that have swamped the media since the September 11 attacks. As noted observer of the Arab world David Pryce-Jones says in his introduction, "In its own lively style, Islam Unveiled puts down a strong and significant marker to what lies ahead, as Islam and the rest of the world strive to come to terms."
Spencer proclaims that Islam is not the religion of peace that many claim it to be. Opinions on his conclusions differ (to put it mildly), but it's difficult to argue with Robert Spencer's method of inquiry: It's lawyerly, in the best sense of that term. Spencer considers the testimony of many sources--of the West and the "House of Islam"--from which he deduces meaning, intent, and possible consequences. This approach makes his findings sound valid and credible--like them or not. Nadia May's brisk reading conveys the author's certitude with bantering good humor. Difficult pronunciations are well rendered, a strength that helps listeners keep track of the myriad depositions on this most important of problems. T.J.W. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine
"The unabridged audio edition of Islam Unveiled is marvelously read by Nadia May. She has an elegant voice that is very pleasant to listen to, and her reading highlights the fluid style of the narrative."
