The Crisis of Islam

Holy War and Unholy Terror

De: Bernard Lewis

Narrado por: Bernard Lewis

Bernard Lewis examines the historical roots of the frustrations and resentments that dominate the Islamic world today and that are increasingly being expressed in acts of terrorism. He looks at the theological origins of political Islam and tells us what the Islamic doctrine of jihad has meant at different times in history. And he takes us, as only he can, through the rise of militant Islam in Iran, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, examining the impact of radical Wahabi proselytizing and Saudi oil money on the rest of the Islamic world.

Crisis of Islam ranges widely through 13 centuries of history, but in particular it charts the key events of the 20th century leading up to the bitter and violent confrontations of today. The Second World War, the creation of the state of Israel, the Cold War, the Iranian Revolution, the Soviet defeat in Afghanistan, the Gulf War, and the September 11th attacks on the United States have all shaped Muslim perceptions in important ways.

While hostility toward the West has a long and varied history in the lands of Islam, its current concentration on America is new. So too is the cult of the suicide bomber. Bernard Lewis helps us understand the reasons for the increasingly dogmatic rejection of modernity by many in the Muslim world in favor of a return to a sacred past. Based on his George Polk Award-winning article for The New Yorker, The Crisis of Islam is essential reading for anyone who wants to know what Osama bin Ladin represents and why his murderous message resonates so widely in the Islamic world.

©2003 Bernard Lewis (P)2003 Random House Audio, a division of Random House, Inc.

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Remarkably succinct...offers a long view in the midst of so much short-termism and confusing punditry. Lewis has done us all - Muslim and non-Muslim alike - a remarkable service." (The New York Times Book Review)

"A timely and provocative contribution to the current raging debate about the tensions between the West and the Islamic world." (Business Week)

“Inestimable...replete with the exceptional historical insight that one has come to expect from the world’s foremost Islamic scholar.” (The Wall Street Journal)

Learned a lot

Facsinating book. The author gives insight into Islam past and present, offers insight into what could become of present day events. His historical presentation of Muslim history explains a great deal of current day events.

Excellent Mid-East Primer

While I have the desire to know more about the how and why of radical Islam, I cannot devote the time that real study would require. This book provides an excellent overview. The listener won't be an expert on the subject after hearing this book, but will be much more enlightened for the experience. While I agree that the author is not always the best person to read his or her work (e.g., Bill Bryson) I found Lewis's reading of his book to be genuine and enjoyable (despite a case of laryngitis early on). A must read.

Understanding the History of Islam

Though by necessity the author jumps around a bit, the book provides great insight into what is the history of Islam and what is currently driving the terroists. An excellent history lesson plus many insightfull observations!

Crisis of Islam

I chose this book because I wanted to know more about the Mideast, and particularly, about the roots of terrorism. I listened to the book over the past week and finished it a couple of days ago.

Tonite I watched the news playing the translation of another tape released by bin Laden. Having read Crisis of Islam, for the first time, I felt like I understood the history and allusions referred to in bin Laden's message.

I am going to listen to Crisis of Islam a second time to try to absorb more (and have also purchased his other book "History of the Mideast and am reading this detailed and interesting history as well).

In sum, an informative, interesting and relevant book - would highly recommend to anyone wanting to learn about the world post 9/11. By the way, I found the author's reading to be excellent, conveying the inflection and tone to match his words.

A Must Read!

Concise, insightful, informational. It's obvious this man has studied Islam, its people and most importantly its politics. He can explain muslim thinking and how it impacts current events. One of the best books on Islam. The others were also written by Lewis.

Erudite, Timely, and Insiteful

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Highly informative. A must read.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

While written in 2004, "The Crisis in Islam" was sadly prescient and remains chillingly relevant today (2017).

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

Everything.

Absolutely Worth It, HIghly Recommended!

Prof. Lewis has hit just the right length and level of detail. The author reads his own work, a definite benefit, although you will need to get used to his diction and vocal range (but that is generally true with audio books, and the Professor does better than most in my opinion.) His viewpoint on the current events pertaining to Islam, terrorism and Iraq is an historical one, lending a depth and breadth which are mostly missing amongst the pundits commonly heard on the news channels. He answers, or suggests plausible theories, as to why the events in the Islamic world, and in the Middle East in particular, are taking place. I now find the current Middle East events far more understandable.

The book is much like an extended college lecture, but is constructed more carefully and thus somewhat better listening. I listened on the way to work each morning, and I found myself leaving a little earlier than normal each morning as I looked forward to hearing more. Only a mild criticism, I found that the pace briefly slowed at about the 3/4 point, but in general this book moves forward as fast of most any of the historical/current events genre.

Five Stars!

Great

For most Americans, the history of the Muslim "world" is a complete mystery. The relevance of historical events such as the elimination of the caliphate is a good example of this. Americans (and most "enlightened" Europeans, too, I'd wager) are oblivious to the significance of many such cultural references that mean nothing to us but are major motivating factors for fundamentalist Islamic terrorist organizations. Listen to this book, and I promise that you'll have many "aha -- now I get it!" moments. Potential Muslim readers should be reassured to know that the author strongly emphasizes the errors in interpretation of the Koran made by terrorists like bin Laden. This book is not just a biased critique of Islam.

Good Info but BORING!

I really enjoyed the contect of the book, but the reader/author of the book was painful to listen too. He talks in a very monotone uninterested voice. He is very knowledgable but it was difficult to listen to. I read another review and the reviewer noted the pitiful reading but I didn't think it would be as bad as it was.

Truly Insightful

This is an extremely complex issue and an equally complex read but remained captivating no less. Immediately upon completing the book, I started over and listened a second time to further piece it all together. The book left me pondering America's roll in past and present history, now with a clarified insight into the failures caused by our short attention span and nearsightedness when it comes to foreign affairs.

After 9/11 when so many asked "why us?", this book offers insight to the answer to that question. A strong believer in the current administration's strong handling of the "War on Terrorism" and the Middle East crisis, I think this book offers the much needed understanding of a culture so different from our own, an understanding that will be required to find our way as a nation through this complex time in the world. We can not afford to abandon yet another body of people who will only respond with resentment if we fail them and grow to become the next generation of Anti-American fighters.

The book is a must read... more than once. The one shortcoming is the authors reading who's speech at times was difficult to understand making the listen even more complex. Still, a must read.