I just picked up “Islam: A Short History” by Karen Armstrong and would like to discuss with other readers. Book reviews say it white washes, sugar coats, and apologizes and that it’s idealistic and introductory. Others say it’s a good introduction and that it covers the important concepts and historical points and that it’s a good starting point. The book is written by a nun who is a popular writer so it is obvious to me that you have to take it as it is delivered and know there is more to history than what is covered. I am a total novice on this topic but would like to learn without going totally negative so I’m starting here and would be interested in other texts later.
Anyone interested in reading and discussing? It will take me a little while to get through it but I’m already fascinated after reading just a few pages. Here’s the book on Amazon.
From Publishers Weekly
Readers seeking a quick but thoughtful introduction to Islam will want to peruse Armstrong’s latest offering. In her hallmark stylish and accessible prose, the author of A History of God takes readers from the sixth-century days of the Prophet Muhammad to the present. Armstrong writes about the revelations Muhammad received, and explains that the Qur’an earned its name (which means recitation) because most of Muhammad’s followers were illiterate and learned his teachings not from reading them but hearing them proclaimed aloud. Throughout the book, Armstrong traces what she sees as Islam’s emphasis on right living (? la Judaism) over right belief (? la Christianity). Armstrong is at her most passionate when discussing Islam in the modern world. She explains antagonisms between Iraqi Muslims and Syrian Muslims, and discusses the devastating consequences of modernization on the Islamic world. Unlike Europe, which modernized gradually over centuries, the Islamic world had modernity thrust upon it in an exploitative manner. The Islamic countries, Armstrong argues, have been “reduced to a dependent bloc by the European powers.” Armstrong also rehearses some basics about Islamic fundamentalism in a section that will be familiar to anyone who has read her recent study, The Battle for God. A useful time line and a guide to the “Key Figures in the History of Islam” complete this strong, brisk survey of 1,500 years of Islamic history. (Aug.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. –This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
I haven’t read this book, but if you want a recommendation for a book that gives a pretty good overview of the Middle East from a religious, political and cultural perspective, “A History of the Arab Peoples” by Albert Hourani is a good start. It’s a fairly easy read, but a really good reference.
With all the going ons it’s incredulous but never the less ever present … how so many have an ostrich syndrome of sticking the head in a hole while leaving the ass exposed to the wind!
White washing Islam and wishful thinking certainly is not going to make the growing threat go away. Luckily yet another plot has been foiled … the one with the plan to blow up the jet fule pipe-lines to JFK.
The Karen Armstrong book is a few years old - I think I read it back in 2001 - but it was quite good as a primer to get you warmed up before embarking on a more meaty text.
Take a look in the mirror Roo. You’re the one refusing to face reality. There are 1 billion Muslims in the world. You can’t take on 1/6 of the world’s population militarily. Books like this help put things in context to try to deal with the issue on a number of levels, socially, economically, spiritually, and, yes, militarily when it’s called for. Your repeated calls for a kind of reverse-Jihad against Muslims is what’s truly naive.
First up I never said the things you are accusing.
Second up, I may be the one shovelling but you’re the bull with indigestion! -
You see I don’t subscribe to any institutionalized religion … and since you’re Muslim, my opinions tend to be a lot more realistic and unbiased. I have no pre-conceived ideas but simply come to conclusions based on what’s going on. Besides the terrorists perpetuators and terrorist wannabes … only a small fraction of Muslims, but a significant small fraction nevertheless, … there are the masses out there who support their brother Muslims in this Jihad mentality. What do you think those mass protests that go on around the world are about? Are all these proclaimations of love for non-Muslim fellow citizens of the world? … and how about all them Muslims who just hate in silence. Hey I’ve come across many that when you come to that subject they are all for more 9/11s … seriously … and I am not saying that simply to win this crucial world changing debate here with you on the LR. So much so have I experienced this that I now just steer away from such topic when there are Muslims in the house. That way I can just more readily accept them as fellow human beings.
Like to hate the USA so much? Well why does the USA even bother playing tiddly-winks Mr Nice Guy? … think that will help any? … How? … Why?
Make a good example of Iran for starters. Then I’d like to see how fiesty those street protesting Hate Muslims still are. Something tells me they would all just STFU and start learning to become affable neighbours, just like the Japs. Yup we should have the likes of MojoZenMaster here as Commander In Chief and Bruce Wayne as Sec Def. Then we’d see some positive action!
Now look what you have done - never, ever respond to kangaroo in a thread about Islam or Muslims. It makes him go all frothy at the mouth and starts another rant complete with little icons.
Just ignore him and reply to everyone else’s postings and he will go back to sleep.
I know, I know. I was so good for so long, and I just fell of the wagon.
“My name is ashayk, and I’m a knee-jerk replier.” - ashayk
“Fell off the wagon?” … Was I talking to you in the first place? You want to converse with me and now you say you fell off the wagon? Yeah you’re a jerker who jerks alright and not just the knee either.
BTW calling Japanese people Japs and Brits Poms and Chinese Chinks and Germans Krauts and you American Septic Tanks so what? It’s just a little affectionate ribbing not racist. I’m not fussy or choosy, I’d do anyone of their women anyday!
BTW you say you’re not Muslim. So why are you giving yourself a name like ashayk? Are you a Muslim wannabe? Fug me doggy!!!
I fell off the wagon even responding to any of your posts. A mistake I’m sure I’ll repeat again, but hopefully not soon. You could answer your own question about my board name if you knew how to spell. Keep throwing those racial slurs around Roo, we all know you as a kind compassionate soul, so how could anyone take it the wrong way?
Looks like you’re still in the process of throwing yourself off the wagon right here right now.
So you’re not a Muslim … you claim … that makes you a Muslim wannabe then.
“Keep throwing those racial slurs around?” Mate, you don’t listen too good. I told you aready, I’d do any nice looking chick of any color, race or creed. They are all pink on the inside. And besides, I’m not a white man myself. And just as happy not to be.
So up yours and please have some common courtersy and go jerk somewhere else and not in front of me … or is that too much to ask? -
You’re not a white guy. So? Do you thing that doesn’t make you a racist? I never called you one BTW, I just said you don’t use very good judgement by throwing a commonly used racial slur around. I’m not a wannabe anything, I just don’t happen to agree with your ‘hunches’ about US military strategy, especially when you yourself aren’t putting anything on the line by your call to arms. Here’s a thought for you. The US military is quite eager for new recruits. If you feel so strongly, why not move here and join up?
“Do you thing that doesn’t make you a racist? I never called you one BTW, I just said you don’t use very good judgement by throwing a commonly used racial slur around.”
First your question is an accusing one, then you claim there is no implication, then you go and use the R word again in accusation … all in two short sentences. So make up your frikin mind. Do you want to call me a racist or not … it’s a yes or no answer.
Jerkin around the place … don’t assume everyone has so much time on their hands to go jerkin off with you. You’re a jerk-off and unlike you, I’ll say that in one firm statement.
“The US military is quite eager for new recruits. If you feel so strongly, why not move here and join up?”
Well fug you very much for the suggestion. … not that you are anyone to make it. I’ve paid my dues in the army and I won’t be joining the US forces as a recruit anytime soon since I’m too old and I am not an American.
BTW I have the right to feel anyway I like, just like you have. The difference is I base my feelings on what is going on around us and you base yours on some pussy jerk off ostrich mentality.
Now for someone who claims he doesn’t like it and should know better, you’re still getting back on, just to keep falling off your jerk-off wagon … good one!
Talking about the US Military … here’s a link http://www.timeout.com/...ures/print/2993.html kindly sent to me by a member of your military and a long time member of ST. He sent it to me for my own reading but I pass it on for all to read here.
Yes your soldiers do the job and sacrifice themselves for their country and for the general well being of the world at large. … and in appreciation what do loud mouthed out of control Verbal Diarrhoea lefty lib critics do ??? Any citizens and harmless civillians of the free world get killed or maimed by these Muslim radicals is just as much a fault of these VD artists if not more so.
"Gee, well let’s just take your intuition on that. Oh wait, it’s not your countrymen, kids, and neighbors who have to pay the price. " - ashayk
Gee you’re a fugging jerkin off again. Better their countymen, kids and neighbours than ours. The big DIFFERENCE is that we don’t make their civillians the targets of choice and priority. GEEEEEE did you miss that little bit of fact?
… and yes the Japanese did lose their radical impetus didn’t they? And not only for betterment for the world at large, but even more so for their own welfare right now and right through to the forseeable future. The problem with the likes of people like you is that you have no sense of loyalty for your own because you are such a liberal loving jerk-off not being able to distinguish between the scum and your own.
Or maybe as I said earlier, you are in fact just one of them. … Ashayk?? … what kind of name is that if not Muslim? … Ashayk Bin Laden … there you go … nice ring to it?
You could educate yourself about the extensive differences between Japanese/German society and the current Middle East one and why a military campaign might not achieve the desired results, but, then again, you’d actually have to be interested in finding a workable solution rather than war mongering.
Learn to read, I said you don’t use good judgment throwing around racist slurs. Based on your many, “dem Muslims” rants, the charge of racism is a reasonable one despite your lame defense of wanting to f#$) the rainbow.
I’m definitely one to make the suggestion since I actually live in the country you keep urging on to war. Your crocodile tears for US soldiers are unconvincing as you keep pressing for another way with Iran since they and their families, not you, are going to have to pay the price.
… think that will help any? … How? … Why?
