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Sharia Versus Freedom: The Legacy of Islamic Totalitarianism Hardcover – September 18, 2012
A wealth of unambiguous evidence is marshaled, distilled, and analyzed, including: objective, erudite studies of Sharia by leading scholars of Islam; the acknowledgment of Sharia's global "resurgence," even by contemporary academic apologists for Islam; an abundance of recent polling data from Muslim nations and Muslim immigrant communities in the West confirming the ongoing, widespread adherence to Sharia's tenets; the plaintive warnings and admonitions of contemporary Muslim intellectuals - freethinkers and believers, alike - about the incompatibility of Sharia with modern, Western-derived conceptions of universal human rights; and the overt promulgation by authoritative, mainstream international and North American Islamic religious and political organizations of traditional, Sharia-based Muslim legal systems as an integrated whole (i.e., extending well beyond mere "family-law aspects" of Sharia).
Johannes J. G. Jansen, Professor for Contemporary Islamic Thought Emeritus at Utrecht University, says this book "will prove sobering to even staunch optimists."
- Print length735 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherPrometheus Books
- Publication dateSeptember 18, 2012
- Dimensions6.22 x 1.7 x 9.26 inches
- ISBN-101616146664
- ISBN-13978-1616146665
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Customers find the book well-researched, informative, and backed by extensive facts and references. They describe it as a brilliant, powerful read that exposes the nature and intent of Islam. The author is knowledgeable about Muslim law and behavior, and provides interesting comparisons between Communism and Islam. Overall, customers consider the book to be a great value for money and arrived on time.
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Customers find the book well-researched and informative. They appreciate the author's knowledge and extensive research, including primary sources. The book provides generous notes and resources for further reading. While some readers describe it as academic, others find it full of good sense and great research.
"...backs up and documents his assertions throughout this highly informative work...." Read more
"...Bostom takes us there in this book and backs it up with volumes of facts and references, many dating back centuries, some from present day but all..." Read more
"...This is an incredible text of valuable storehouse of information on Sharia. Londoninstan a book written in Britian by a prominent writer ,etc...." Read more
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Customers find the book readable and informative. They describe it as brilliant, powerful, and candid.
"...On this, one of the many writings referenced in this book is worth a read - "While Europe Slept."..." Read more
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"...It is a must read and an excellent reference for anyone who would become better informed about one of the major religious/political forces in the..." Read more
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Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2014Sharia Versus Freedom: The Legacy of Islamic Totalitarianism A review by Jack Kettler
Publisher: Prometheus Books
by Andrew G. Bostom
In addition to the title under review, Andrew G. Bostom is the author of The Legacy of Jihad and The Legacy of Islamic Antisemitism. He has also published articles and commentary on Islam in numerous on-line publications. Andrew G. Bostom (MD, MS) is Associate Professor of Medicine at Brown University Medical School. More on Dr. Bostom's work can be found at [...].
With the precision of a skilled surgeon, Dr. Bostom meticulously backs up and documents his assertions throughout this highly informative work. Our current CIA chief, John Brennan's naive notion about the meaning of Jihad (p. 271) is thoroughly exposed as folly. Brennan and many others are not alone in this inexcusable foolishness.
Much of this nonsense about the so-called glorious religion of peace is perpetuated by John Louis Esposito, professor of International Affairs and Islamic Studies at Georgetown University. On (p. 408) Bostom documents how Saudis lavishly reward and fund Esposito's Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding to the tune of $20 million in 2005.
Karen Armstrong is a British author and another notorious apologist for Islam (p. 33). In an introduction to her work it has been said: No religion in the modern world is as feared and misunderstood as Islam. It haunts the popular Western imagination as an extreme faith that promotes authoritarian government, female oppression, civil war, and terrorism. Karen Armstrong's short history offers a vital corrective to this narrow view. In 1999, she received the Muslim Public Affairs Council Media Award.
In this re-viewer's assessment, both Esposito and Armstrong are bought and paid for literary prestitutes for the Muslim faith. They are willing and useful dhimmis. More on dhimmitude later.
My thoughts on Islam after reading Dr. Bostom's book:
"It is important to note: that the religion of backward depraved Arab culture, if it were not for Western technology and oil money, the adherents of this shocking regressive culture would still be using camels and horses for transportation. This unmodernized Arab culture, like socialism (which fails when running out of other people's money) continually attempts to conquer other cultures in order to cannibalize them into non-existence much like a pestilence of grasshoppers."
"Islam is a religious, political, genocidal ideology characterized by centuries of Jihadist warfare and brutal oppressive totalitarianism of those enslaved. This 7th Century malignant ideology provides cover for unfathomable discrimination against non-Muslims, sadistic torture and unthinkable misogyny, even encouraging the rape of non-Muslim women and slavery that is practiced and sanctioned to this present day."
The status of Non-Muslims or Dhimmis who were not slaughtered by the Muhammadans who raided and stole their land:
"The vile and ignorant dhimmis (non-Muslims in an Islamic country) must be humiliated, belittled and rendered abominable and able to be distinguished by their appearance." For example, "different colored shoes, one white the other black:" for males badges such as an "ape for a Jew and a pig for a Christian: for women yellow veils." The distinctive dress shows the Muslim that the dhimmi is to be treated as an inferior - not to stand up for her or shake his hand, not to give them Muslim charity. He is to expect respect and deference from the dhimmi who shall not join a group of Muslims or raise his voice in their presence. The non-Muslim is to stand aside if the pathway is narrow. It is haram (unlawful) for him to slaughter animals; reserved for him is the cleaning of lavatories and sewers, and carrying away rubbish and refuse. His house should be painted a dull color and be no larger than that of a Muslim neighbor. (dhimmis, pp. 34, 36, 37, 41-42, 70-72, 73, 74-75, 77, 78, 86, 89-91, 96, 105, 111, 123, 134, 141, 152, 157, 170, 174, 175, 176-177, 178-88, 192, 204, 206, 212, 213, 216-218, 219-220, 223,226, 227, 229, 245, 246, 272, 274-275, 276, 277, 284-285, 287-93, 303, 308, 309, 321, 373-74, 385, 388, 388-89, 422-423, 426, 428, 435, 436, 446-47, 461, 578-79n33, 589n7, 621-22n2, 633-34n12)
After reading Dr. Bosom's work on dhimmis in Muslim conquered lands, one may be inclined to agree with the following provocative hyperbole:
"We should invade their countries, kill their leaders and convert them to Christianity. We weren't punctilious about locating and punishing only Hitler and his top officers. We carpet-bombed German cities; we killed civilians. That's war. And this is war." - Ann Coulter
"The minarets are our bayonets, the domes our helmets, the mosques our barracks and the faithful our army" (p. 488). After reading sayings like this from Muslims, one wonders why Islamic Mosques have tax exempt status. One thing is clear regarding Isalm, a religion of peace, it is not!
"...tolerance of intolerance is cowardice." Ayaan Hirsi Ali
"People that tell you Islam is a religion of peace are only announcing their ignorance." - Brigitte Gabriel
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith." Galatians 5:22
In contrast, Islam is political, genocidal ideology responsible for the death and enslavement of millions.
It has been said best by Jesus: "You shall know them by their fruits." Matthew 7:16
It is beyond dispute, the fruits of Mohammadism are rotten to the core!
Dr. Bostom's work is a must read for those concerned about this religious, political, genocidal ideology which has exterminated millions of people over the last 1400 years. The totality of Bostom's book makes the case irrefutably that Sharia law is a complete and total anathema to the American "Bill Of Rights" and more importantly, to freedom of expression for the Judeo-Christian world-view.
Anyone who defends this so-called religion of peace, which is characterized by the most vile Jew-hatred ever witnessed, should be ashamed of themselves.
Mr. Kettler is the owner of Undergroundnotes.com where his theological, philosophical and political articles can be read.
- Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2012This is the book that should be read by policymakers, elected officials, newsmedia and educators across the US, for an understanding of the danger we face abroad and are oblivious to where it is taking hold right here at home. One can only surmise, based on actions and comments emanating from the White House, State, Pentagon that our leaders have no clear understanding about Isalm and it's history as a socio-political force fused into an intolerant, aggressive religion. Most of us in the non-Islamic world, including highly-educated leadership elites, are ill-equipped educationally and philosophically to even understand the fanatical mindset and world view of our Islamic adversaries. This is because the fundamental success principles of the advanced west - rational thinking, scientific method, individual liberty, freedom of conscience - have no meaning and are largely rejected in the collectivist and totalitarian Muslim worldview. This fact and and many more, are starkly illustrated and thoroughly documented in this amazing, powerful book.
Among the several major truths that emerge from "Sharia vs Freedom" is the fact that Islamic history, behavior and jihadist ideology has been on-going and amazingly and "matter-of-factly" consistent since the days of "the Prophet" - Jihad is not some new aberration of "fanatical" Islam just now making an appearance and possible to contain by engaging "moderates." A look inside the religion and its history makes it clear that this is not that case and we are deluding ourselves by thinking otherwise. By extension, as Bostom points out, we are our own worst enemies in this regard, through political correctness, lack of knowledge, appeasement and ultra-tolerance - but mainly by a denial of historical truths and lack of insight into other cultures and their mindset.
On news of the "Arab Spring," for example, leaders at the top and observers in the media applied a western prism of idealism and our cultural experience to recent international events, assuming that some Islamic Thomas Jefferson would usher in democracy and human rights. What was occurring instead, the Muslim Brotherhood, Al-Queda and - as Bostom shows through polling statistics - most of the populace viewed "democracy" as a pathway to the implementation of Sharia. In its full flower - unfettered by past suppression of military dictatorships - persecution of non-Moslems, subjugation of women, rabid anti-semitism and medieval practices take hold once again. A well-informed West should not be surprised, but our lack of understanding makes it so.
Meanwhile, here at home and in Europe, our own institutions, ultra-tolerance and self-inflicted guilt provide fertile ground for the planting and growth of self-segregating Islamic communities and their pressures to change the way we live and cede aspects of our law and culture to slow and steady incursion of ideas antithetical to those that made or economic progress and individual liberty possible in the first place. On this, one of the many writings referenced in this book is worth a read - "While Europe Slept."
The author also calls out Islamic appeasers and activists who have insinuated themselves into policy-influencing roles at every level. For example, in education policy and revised textbooks, very soon an entire generation of American youth will be unprepared and unwilling to perceive the truth and stand firm against the insidious spread of Islam and what it does to the human spirit. Their education will focus on the historical blemishes and newly defined, magnified misdeeds of America's past while learning to apply cultural relativism as a worldview, even enabling re-emergent Sharia governments to slice off hands and heads, terrorize minorities, subjugate women and push for the annihilation of Jews and non-believers.
"Sharia vs Freedom," at times sprinkled with ponderous but appropriately precise language, enables the reader to unmask Islam and see it, without rationalizing or applying a western prism, simply for what it is. The historical record and even Islamic jurists interpretations of their own "religion," provide irrefutable evidence for any sane observer what it is about and intends to do. Left unchallenged or enabled, Islam spreads its totalitarian system via a consistent, simple blueprint that is there for everyone to observe...if we would open our eyes and speak the truth about what we see.
Bostom takes us there in this book and backs it up with volumes of facts and references, many dating back centuries, some from present day but all pointing to the same conclusions about the totalitarian nature of Islam and our cultural inability to unmask the stark implications of its accellerating spread around the world. I hope an abridged and edited version might appear some day written in a style that would attract a wider reading audience. Meanwhile, I hope those who speak for and protect America in the world, will gain insight from and see the truth in what this amazing masterpiece reveals.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2023Ibn Warraq asked Dr Bolstrom to write and glad are people that he listened. Dr Bolstrom has translated what nobody has done 700 years ago - literature of jihad. Splendid and candid read. What he has honestly appraised through endless research and knowledge is more valuable than gold with a fragrance. Dr Bolstrom has called out the hypocrites, Bernard Lewis, and the apologists- he has cited endless islamic texts and the rest- full of script and holler against paganism, and basically every religion but theirs own. This is an incredible text of valuable storehouse of information on Sharia. Londoninstan a book written in Britian by a prominent writer ,etc. also gives credibility what Europe has so conveniently forgotten in their epic human refugee saga. This is a timeless epic of considerable academia. Few thinkers have shone like the star Dr. Bolstrom has, ram sawrup and sita ram goel, are the few and of course Ibn Warraq's seminal piece- Why I am not a Muslim. Dr Bolstroms books are a must read for the unapologetic historian of today. The west owes it to the world to produce such works of honesty and candor and truth.
Top reviews from other countries
LarryReviewed in the United Kingdom on December 22, 20145.0 out of 5 stars An excellent exposition of the great question of our age
An excellent exposition of the great question of our age. Cutting through much of the timidity that exemplifies western academia Bostom poses tough questions and, in closely reasoned and copiously sourced essays, provides careful analysis and reasoned responses. A must read for anyone seriously concerned about our world.
Brian PickeringReviewed in the United Kingdom on March 19, 20153.0 out of 5 stars Islam revealed
Andrew Bostom's collection of quotes, essays, news cuttings and rants is a work of painstaking scholarship that deserves some kind of prize for endeavour. He exposes the words and deeds of some prominent Muslims as revealing an international conspiracy aspiring to world domination. It sounds like one of Flash Gordon's cinematic epics from my youth, laden with men in tights emerging from plywood spacecraft, entitled "Hooligans from Outer Space". As it is, it is a serious attempt to name the architects of modern pandemonium, the islamists, and to reveal what they are about. Its aim is to expose their true purpose by telling us what they say and do. It is not however an orderly work with a well constructed argument. Bostom hops from present to past to show us they haven't changed their ways and we are left without a narrative a path through the jungle. It is as if he had dumped suitcase full of assorted documents on the doorstep with a note saying this is an outrage. So it is but it is for Bostom to give the threat form, substance and size. This he has not done and so I see it as an opportunity missed. That so much valuable labour should result in such disorder of purpose is a great pity. But it is a mine of information though you will be wielding your shovel for a good long time before the ore appears.
The truth is here. Jihad, the total absence of freedom of thought, the subordination of the unbeliever and the numbing burden of Sharia law, the Hadith, and the Quran. There is only one God and his name is Allah and all the peoples of the earth must recognise his unquestionable authority. For us in the west a world dominated by Islam is less of a threat than the damage caused to civilisation by a faith that cannot govern a nation as small as Egypt without resorting to violent coercion. You will learn a great deal of why this is so from this book but be prepared to look hard.


