The Crisis of Islam

Holy War and Unholy Terror

By: Bernard Lewis

Narrated by: Bernard Lewis

Length: 4 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

Critic reviews

"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)

Great story, lip smacking narrator

Loved the book, but the continual lip smacking was very distracting. Should've been produced better. Less compression and a high frequency filter would've done wonders.

Awesome!

Bernard Lewis so eloquently writes about what terrorists in the Middle East believe and where the ideology comes from. A great book for everyone to listen or read.

Serious history

Honestly the authors narration can be a little bit dry. Content is excellent however, very good background information on Islam.

Crisis of Islam

Well put together storyline with specific examples laying out some of the internal issues between religious interpretation amongst religions. A really good overall review of the past, present, & future of the battles with the interpreters of the great religion of Islam.

An interesting perspective

Nicely written and thoughtfully examined.

An orientalist View

Lewis admits he is an orientalist, viewing the world from that particular angle. The information is not balance but bias.

Why did he have to read it?

A very timely book, should be required reading for all interested in why Islam and the West are at loggerheads. But why did Bernhard Lewis have to read it. And how can a writer, even if he is a university professor, be so absolutely uninspired while reading his own work. Sad but true, I physically could not finish the book, because his deliver made me fall asleep while I was walking the dog. That's just plain dangerous.

poor reading

the audio tape was recorded poorly and its difficult to understand what is being said sound is very poor

borring!

I tried. I mean, I REALLY tried to listen to this one. But man this guy nearly put me into a coma! It isn't the length, it is just out of this world mind numbing. This was the first audio book (out of 7) that really put me to sleep.

It is like listening to a monotone history lecture. If you are a history buff that enjoyed the "talking to the blackboard" lectures is college, then this is right up your alley. I just couldn't connect though, although I really wanted to. I heard the author on NPR and was really interested in the topic. I just couldnt handle the guys boring voice.

Content hindered by bad reading

This is one book that I wish I had bought hard copy of. The book is read by the author, which is usually a bad idea. In this case, the author makes frequent smacking sounds as he reads, like the sound of someone sucking their dentures back into place. About 1/4 of the way into the book, I couldn't take it any longer. It's like interference that makes you change the radio station. Great book, bad audio title.