Why I Left Jihad: The Root of Terrorism and the Return of Radical Islam [Unabridged] [Hardcover]

Walid Shoebat (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 30, 2005

 

A fascinating and scholarly work, this book is based on ten years of research and intense study. It turns the spotlight on traditional Christian interpretation of Israel's position in the biblical prophecies through textual and historical accuracy; it shows how radical Islam fits the description of the End-Times threat.

 

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Walid Shoebat was born in Bethlehem of Judea, Israel. As a young man, he became a member of the Palestine Liberation Organization, and participated in acts of terror and violence against Israel, and was later imprisoned in the Russian Compound, Jerusalem's central prison for incitement and violence against Israel. After moving to the United States, Walid studied the Bible in a challenge to convert his wife to Islam in 1993. Instead, Walid became the convert... to Christianity.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 412 pages
• Publisher: Top Executive Media; 1 edition (May 30, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0977102114
• ISBN-13: 978-0977102112
• Product Dimensions: 5.8 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #81,125 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #98 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Politics & Government > International & World Politics > Middle Eastern

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

444 of 455 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Brutally honest. A former terrorist speaks. February 28, 2006

By M. D Roberts

Format:Hardcover

Much of this extremely thorough and well written study is written from an autobiographical perspective, describing in some considerable detail the personal experiences and faith of the author, together with an often disturbing insight into the ongoing situation in the Middle East. Particular attention being paid to the Palestinian/Arab-Israeli conflict.

The writer describes himself at the outset as having been born in Bethlehem of Judea, Israel. The significance of this precise statement emanates from the text as the reader is confronted with the author's experiences and personal faith, first as a devout Muslim and then as a born again Christian.

The source pulls no punches as he declares himself to be a former Palestinian Liberation Organisation terrorist who has been imprisoned for his participation in acts of incitement and violence against Israel.

It is difficult to remain unmoved when confronted with the account of how, from childhood, the hatred of Jews is described as having been his "education" and how he grew up believing that it was a righteous thing to hate and kill Jews.

The book describes how Walid's life was turned upside down, when through his studies, he discovered that "..everything that he had been taught about the Jews was a lie..."

The context surrounding this profound change of heart/mind, and what is cited as an "addiction of hate", presents the reader with a series of events encompassing Walid's attempt to convert his wife to Islam.

The book narrates how his wife refused to accept the validity of Walid's virulent hatred of the Jews and how he recounts her saying "show me in the Bible the bad things the Jews did". To accommodate her he then began to diligently study the Bible, factual history and other sources in order to substantiate his indoctrinated hatred.

What transpired becomes the platform for this excellent study, which is not only an autobiographical account of Walid, but also a detailed investigation into anti-Semitism, the Middle East, Christianity and Islam itself.

As the book progresses the writer declares that "...I am no longer a terrorist. I am a Christian, dedicated to peace and truth..."

Indeed, the entire message of this book cited as being written with the declared intent of bringing love and truth to anyone who is prepared to listen.

The brutal yet gripping honesty of the writer's involvement in terrorism, hatred of the Jews, and his uncompromising look at almost all the fundamental tenets of Islam is often quite disturbing.

The author describes how he found it amazing that when he was a self confessed terrorist, and a hater of the Jews, he was hailed as a freedom fighter. Yet, by way of comparison, when he became a Christian and began loving the Jewish people, he was suddenly abused as a "racist" and a "traitor".

The former PLO terrorist leaves the reader with the clear message that terrorists recognise no ethics or moral code and that the Israelis face an enemy with whom they cannot negotiate because the primary goal is not the territory. Basing such statements on personal knowledge/experience, the reader is shown that such aspirations are purportedly only secondary issues with the primary intent being the elimination of Israel itself. A plethora of references are provided to support this assertion.

The book illustrates how vigorously the West today is focussed upon creating a Palestinian state, while allegedly sidestepping he Palestinian Charter that is cited as calling for an Arab state in the place of Israel, with no Jews, and with Islam as the official state religion.

The book also investigates the alleged misinformation in the media together with what is called the "miasma of words that insulates the public from the evil of terrorism" in the wake of recent terrorist attacks. The book demonstrating how it is not difficult for extremists to allegedly explain Islam in a completely untruthful fashion to the unquestioning moderates and win them over by the droves. Such a statement being made within the context of sincere concern as to how so many Westerners, especially on the far left side of politics, allegedly demonise Israel and exonerate Islamic-Arab terror.

In the text (page 28) another issue expounded & discussed is that the alleged mentor of Osama bin Laden and the actual inspiration for Al-Qaeda was purportedly a Palestinian named Mustafa Azzam. The implications of this are addressed.

Through an abundance of references the reader is shown how Palestinian schools/textbooks are allegedly required to portray the existence of Israel as a catastrophe and how hatred of the Jews is purportedly an integral part of their curriculum.

The study also proceeds to investigate the Jewish claim to the Holy Land as described in the Hebrew Christian Scriptures. The book discusses how some elements of the professing Church within the Middle East allegedly adhere to the doctrines of replacement and liberation theology and do not recognise what he cites as the true place of Israel as literally cited in the Bible. One senior Church leader in Jerusalem is quoted on page 39 as being recorded on tape by the author as stating that "Israel must be eliminated, by whatever means".

Indeed, the entire situation in the Middle East is also discussed from a Biblical perspective, including the prophetic sections of the Hebrew Christian Scriptures pertaining to the end times and how such compare with those within the Islamic faith that the writer once adhered to.

Having studied the Arab-Israeli conflict and the Middle East for some three decades, I personally consider this to be one of the most timely, gripping and relevant studies of recent years and an account which is an absolute "must read" in relation to the ongoing situation in the region.

144 of 149 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A New Underground Classic July 31, 2006

By John of Damascus

Format:Hardcover

Walid Shoebat has risked his life to write what you will read in this book. Who else do you know that has a $10 million bounty on his head for the things he speaks and writes about? That alone should make a hundred thousand people curious enough to read what is in his book. What raw nerve has he struck? The Islamo-facist totalitarian haters obviously do not want Walid to share his insights and thoughts, simply because he is both annointed and effective as he shares. He is an unassailable spokesman for truth in the Middle East and Israel and this shines through in these pages. Walid shares with the reader his spiritual journey into truth, from hate to love. He explains his theological journey as well as his collision with reality and how he dealt with the darkness that he found in own heart. A unique and amazing book.

179 of 194 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Must Read December 9, 2005

By student

Format:Hardcover

Quite simply, the most honest representation of modern Islamic Terrorism in print- why? Because the author lived it before turning his back on te violence and hatred that had consumed his life.

For the layman, acedemic, or expert, this book must be read.