With all of the things going on in the world today, this book seemed to be a timely one to review. Though I fancy myself an amateur historian, I have not investigated Islam, or the Muslim community outside of a vague knowledge of its beginnings and the Crusades. I had seen other books on this subject before, but always from a semi-dogmatic Christian view and was turned off by them because of it. This book I am delighted to say, does not do that. It presents the reader with a very honest - inside look at Islam, the teaching of Islam, what Jihad is and Radical Jihad and then understanding this in light of Judeo-Christian concepts. I found the author trying to explain this simply, yet, at the same time trying to do justice to the subject. With the twists and turns within it, it would be about like trying to explain Christianity (and all of its modern diverse iterations) to someone who is not a Christian. There are some serious questions considered in this book - mainly, did Mohammed the "Prophet" advocate the violence that we see in Islam today? He also makes a good point, that Christians in their history, are not without their violent tendencies as seen in the Crusade, and even espoused by modern hate groups under the banner of the Bible. And then the question that ultimately is a crux for both sides - do Muslims and Christians worship the same God? How do we reconcile this, with our idea of who and what God is taught to be and supposed to be?
I came away from this book enlightened, as the author has given me information that I did not previously have, and in a way that is worthy of reading, study, and consideration. It is not a condemning book, it is very straight forward, factual, well noted and written. This said, while not the author's fault, or the book's fault, I found myself still bewildered by the movement itself. But that is for me to sort out.
I recommend this book highly, if you are going to be encountering people of Islamic belief. It will help you to understand not only them, but to a great extent why some of them are even bewildered as a lot of people I know about the Bible. It also will help you to understand to some extent why things are happening like they are. It does not excuse it, but it will give you information that will help you put it into perspective. If you are a Preacher, or a Bible teacher or instructor, you need this book in your library.
~ Jim
