Customer Reviews

In the Name of Elijah Muhammad: Louis Farrakhan and The Nation of Islam (The C. Eric Lincoln Series on the Black Experience)

5 star:		(4)
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3 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(3)

 

 

This book is absolutely the finest written on the subject. Gardell takes a sympathetic look at NOI and presents its mythology on its own terms. His approach results in a far more objective treatment than the usual academic fare. This comprehensive work clearly explains the actions and mythologies of the group with regard to their historical, political, and religious situations. I particularly appreciated that while marking the difference between this new American Religious Movement and normative Islam he did not dismiss the authentic voice of these people. Of equal importance is the clear connection he makes between history and religion. Perhaps because Gardell is not American he is capable of viewing race and religion in the U.S. more clearly than we can ourselves. It is a perfect example of the direction in which Religious Studies methodology should be going. (Make sure and read his introduction where he explains his use of language and critical method to avoid misunderstanding him as some readers here have most certainly done.)

This is, from an academical point of view, the best writtn book on the subject of "The Nation". Professor Gardell shows of a great deal of insight, and has managed to write a balanced book on Nation of Islam and Minister Farrakhan, and their justified claim for an improvement of the conditions for the blackman in the U.S. If you`re only reading one book on this subject, then read this one!

The self styled 'Nation of Islam' is often subject due intense media scrutiny.To his credit the author gives a balanced view of the Nation of Islam, highlighting some of it's good points, contextualizing some of it's controversial issues and mentioning problems intrinsic to the 'Nation'. I would recommend this book to people intersted in getting to know the 'Nation of Islam'.

I compliment the author for capturing the ethos and culture of the Nation Of Islam. To those people outside of the Nation of Islam, this discourse can provide good content and insight for the uninitiated, into the ultimate motivation in the founding of the NOI, and what place the Nation must have in all Black Liberation strategies, both, today and in the next few centuries.

I used this book in a course at Indiana University about the Nation. It was by far the most broad and non-politicised of our texts. It does not represent the Nation as "orthododox" Muslims in any way, but it does not negate their significance to the history of Islam in N America. I thought Garadell did a great job. Full of sources and notes. Of course he couldnot cover it all, but all around a good read. Especially with regaurd to Farrakhan.

After having read and viewed a wide range of books on the Nation of Islam and also works published by the NOI, I think Gardell's presentation of the NOI is the most balanced, encompassing, systematized, readable and reflected book on the subject. This work is a must for everyone that wants some real insight into the history and theology of the Nation, whereas most other books on NOI that are still in print are providing nothing but repetions of what we already know. Read this book, acquire new insights and become wiser.

Gardells impressive research results in a far richer and more subtle account of the NOI and Farrakhan. Immersing himself in the writings of the movement and in much else related to it (such as its connections to the FBI, Muammar al-Qadhdhafi, and rap musicians) he has produced an impressively thorough account. The study usefully covers other NOI branches, including the Lost Found Nation of Islam, the Five Percent Nation of Islam, and the Ansaaru Allah Community. Heres where to find out about the NOIs tentative moves toward mainstream Islam, its connections to American neo-Nazis, and its challenge to the black Christian churches. Gardells book is highly unusual in one way: although the author has many strange and tendentious ideas (that Reagan planned for a war on Libya in 1986, that Farrakhan is not an anti-Semite, that a mistress of Elijah Muhammads was his Islamic wife, that the 1992 Rodney King riots were the bloodiest uprising of the twentieth century), he does not slant the evidence but scrupulously offers information that directly disproves his own arguments. Most readers of In the Name of Elijah Muhammad will want to read the study for its facts while keeping a distance from Gardells conclusions.

Middle East Quarterly, March 1997

I read this book as part of background research for a story I was writing about a community of Muslims in Baltimore. Of the many books I read about Muslims in America and of The Nation, this one stands heads and shoulders above the rest. The writing is fine, the research is excellent, and the narrative style works quite well. Has to be the best book yet written about the history of The of Islam.

but you needn't be one to enjoy this book. Mattias Gardell does an excellent job of explaining the history of and contradictions within the Nation of Islam. He explains their beliefs in a very straight forward manner. As a previous reviewer mentioned, you're best off ignoring Gardell's opinions on the NOI and drawing your own conclusions. To his credit, the author allows you to do just that.

This book looks like a scholarly treatment: it has lots of footnotes, a long bibliography, and is issued under the imprint of a major university (Duke University Press). It also seems to have a lot of facts, but these often turn out to be wrong, i.e. they are not facts at all. The author has read a lot of but he does little more than reproduce the rantings of this gentleman in his book. The text does not seem to have been edited by anyone who knows standard English. This book will not add to the reputation of Duke University. Quite the opposite