16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
When a Jihadist says Islam is a Religion of Peace, what does he mean?, November 21, 2007
This review is from: Radical Eye for the Infidel Guy: Inside the Strange World of Militant Islam (Hardcover)
As you can tell from the title, this book is a satirical look at the idea that the roots of the War on Terror are rooted outside of Islam. Well, maybe disdainful or sarcastic is a better word than satirical. Kevin J. Ryan isn't buying into any of the politically correct claims that Islam is all about Peace or that the radical Islamofascists would leave us alone if we would just be nicer people. Look around the world at most of the strife and conflict and you will likely be amazed at how much of it is Muslims not working and playing well with the majority culture where they are the minority or are brutally suppressing minority cultures (and religious dissidents) where they are the majority.
The book's ten chapters take us through various aspects of Islam then and now. It begins by demonstrating how Islam has been rooted in War since Mohammed rode out of the desert in the 7th Century. Women's (non) rights are examined next and you will shudder with what you read. But of course the recent news story of the Saudi girl being sentenced to 200 lashes because she was gang raped should prepare you well.
The Muslim approach to crime and punishment is a logical next step and its brutality will seem like something out of the dark ages, well, because it is. The fourth chapter looks at the Wars of Islam on Europe throughout the history of the Ottoman Empire. Ryan then examines the Islamic notion or religious tolerance. It is completely one way. Their claim is that you must allow Muslims to practice their religion (and laws) as they wish, regardless of where they live. However, no Muslim has the right to freedom of conscience if it means they would convert to any other faith. I once gave a religious book to a Muslim friend and his religious leader called me and told me that I couldn't do that. I explained to him that this was the United States and I certainly could. We talked for awhile and I ended up sending him a copy of the same book while he sent me a copy of a nice Saudi edition of the Qu'ran.
Chapter six looks at war and terror by Muslims since the fall of the Ottoman Empire. I very much enjoyed the chapter about how the Muslims use claims of peace to foster war. It is all about deception, carefully wording phrases that are heard differently than they mean to the speaker. Read chapter seven carefully.
Ryan takes us into the Madras style of education and what is being taught to the children in Muslim countries about you, me, Jews, and all other non-Muslims. Let's just say it isn't much like the multi-cultural Western Enlightenment education you might wish in the 21st Century. It isn't about how we can all hold hands and sing together.
Chapters nine and ten look at the movement among Muslims to build a worldwide caliphate and the role of Sharia Law in that process (beware of the movements of Muslims trying to build parallel legal systems in Europe, Canada, the United States and elsewhere). We also get to see what life would be like in a Muslim dominated world per the lights of the author.
I am sure that the critics of this book will claim that it doesn't represent the views of all Muslims and lacks nuance. Hey, that may well be true. However, let's get the "moderate" Muslims to police and control and suppress the hundred million or so Muslims who are in sympathy with the Jihadists. Until that happens, Kevin Ryan wisely advises you to get informed and be on guard. He provides little quizzes throughout the book to help you see how sharp your understanding of the Jihadist Muslim view is.
Reviewed by Craig Matteson, Ann Arbor, MI
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Funny, incisive look at a difficult subject, September 10, 2007
This review is from: Radical Eye for the Infidel Guy: Inside the Strange World of Militant Islam (Hardcover)
"Radical Eye for the Infidel Guy" manages admirably to achieve the difficult task of being both a serious look at historical and current Islam and laugh-out-loud satire. While it handily explores the history of Islam over the centuries, covering topics such as TOLERANCE AND DIVERSITY, WOMEN'S RIGHTS, and WAR PART ONE, it also lightens the load with sections like FUN FACTS ABOUT MOHAMMED and HOLY LAW FOR DUMMIES: AN INTRODUCTION TO RADICAL JURISPRUDENCE.
The last chapter, THE RADICAL MAKEOVER, is brilliant--in a humorous way laying out for you how you and your family can convert to Islam, a sort of spiritual redecorating of your messy infidel house. It's ingenious, but more important, it's funny with a point. The book asks you not to read and ignore, but to read and examine--examine your own beliefs and opinions. It asks you to participate in the dialogue about Islam, at the very least in your own head. The book is thought-provoking and compelling. It is one of the funniest, most intelligent books I've read last year.
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An eye-opening look at the Islamic world!, June 26, 2007
This review is from: Radical Eye for the Infidel Guy: Inside the Strange World of Militant Islam (Hardcover)
Don't let the title fool you, as well as being quite humorous, this book delves into the beliefs, customs, and history of radical Islam. The information is extremely well-researched and presented in a way that's easy to understand and very entertaining.
In our politically correct society, many topics are glossed over and myths created about the Islamic religion. However, this book sheds light on what Muslims really believe and how it affects everyone (and I do mean everyone). This is the book that Muslims DON'T want you to read!
Because of our changing world, I would highly recommend owning a copy of this book. It's also an excellent first book for anyone beginning to research Islam.
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