Political Islam from Muhammad to Ahmadinejad: Defenders, Detractors, and Definitions (Praeger Security International) [Hardcover]

Joseph Morrison Skelly Ph.D. (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0313372233 | ISBN-13: 978-0313372230 | Publication Date: November 25, 2009

Under the auspices of the Association for the Study of the Middle East and Africa, Joseph Morrison Skelly brings together a team of experts to create a compelling, scholarly investigation of the interrelationship of Islam and politics. Divided into several topical sections, including early origins of Islamic politics, the development of jihad in an age of terror, and contemporary politics, Political Islam from Muhammad to Ahmadinejad: Defenders, Detractors, and Definitions is an in-depth exploration of the various dimensions of political Islam—for the international community, the Islamic world itself, and anyone who seeks a deeper understanding of this phenomenon.

Political Islam from Muhammad to Ahmadinejad takes an evenhanded approach in considering competing interpretations of political Islam, successfully broadening the scholarly investigation of the topic. The work assesses political Islam across a broad chronological time frame and includes regional perspectives within the contexts of areas in Africa and the Middle East. Skelly and his colleagues tackle controversial issues head-on and provide an intellectual framework for advancing political Islam into new stages of economic development, intellectual renewal, and accommodation with constitutional democracy and human rights. Each contributor lends a unique and specialized perspective to the discussion on this timely topic.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Although it is a collection of scholarly works, the essays are not written in the overly-wordy manner in which such scholarly pieces often are, and is therefore relatively easy for the layman to comprehend. I would highly recommend Political Islam from Muhammed to Ahmadinejad - Defenders, Detractors and Definitions to anyone who wishes for a firmer understanding of Islam, the Islamist threat, and potential solutions to the danger it poses to our free and democratic way of life."

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Family Security Matters

Review

"These new essays deepen our understanding of political Islam and its evolution over the centuries. The treatment ranges from early origins to Islam's conflict with modernity. The contributors make a valuable contribution to scholarship about this subject, and - refreshingly - they do so without succumbing to the clichés and intellectual pitfalls that accompany much of contemporary writing about the subject."

(

Robert J. Lieber, Professor of Government and International Affairs, Georgetown University

)

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 281 pages
• Publisher: Praeger (November 25, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0313372233
• ISBN-13: 978-0313372230
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,318,935 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Islamism; A political Ideology..., November 15, 2010

By 

Melvin L. Hollins "mholl021" (Safety Harbor, Florida, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Political Islam from Muhammad to Ahmadinejad: Defenders, Detractors, and Definitions (Praeger Security International) (Hardcover)

Although bookshelves and even e-books are literally groaning with the countless volumes, published in English and many other languages, on issues directly related to the catastrophic events of September 11, 2001 and thereafter, relatively few have made a deliberate effort to inform readers of the actual methods, goals and intentions of those groups and persons who espouse and justify the ideology of political Islam, under color of "religion." In this very new work, published just this year, Editor Skelly clearly has taken a significantly different course. The bookliner indicates that "Under the auspices of the Association for the Study of the Middle East and Africa, JMS brings together a team of experts to create a compelling, scholarly investigation of the fusion of Islam and politics that has given rise to the ideology of Islamism." Editor Skelly is himself 281-paged, hard-coveredan associate professor of history at the College of Mount Saint Vincent in New York City and has publihed books and articles on diplomatic history, international affairs and international terrorism. This reviewer very much enjoyed reading this 28--paged, hard-covered volume, previously having had but a very limited understanding of these important contemporary issues. And, would recommend that others similarly situated here in the Wst, do likewise. There is absolutely too much at stake in the Western world, much the ideological target of political Islam, for the average thinking person, American or otherwise, to leave understanding and interpretation of the underlying issues in the hands of of intellectuals and media mavens, as is presently the case. Get a copy and read it! You will likely find it to be an enlightening and informative experiences, as did this reviewer, while attention should of course also be given to the many other informative writings available on this important and contemporary issue of a highly Politicized Islamic ideology, posturing as being just a "peaceful" religion.