This is an impressive work. The depth of the author's knowledge and understanding of his subject is readily apparent to the reader. Not only that but Mr. Commins has that rare ability to convey that knowledge to the lay reader in a way that is easily understandable and accessible. So many times I find that authors who have such an impressive grasp on a topic such as this they end up losing the ability to communicate that knowledge to anyone who is not on their level of understanding. This book did not come off like that at all, and I have greatly enhanced my own knowledge by reading Mr. Commins' book.
Islam in general is much misunderstood by us here in the West, but Wahhabism seems to be completely shrouded in mystery for all but the scholars or experts on this isolated sect of Islam. It seems as though we are either completely ignorant of Wahhabism or we seem to be terrified of it. This book really helps to give the reader a better perspective of just what Wahhabism is and what its adherents believe. Understanding is an important tool that many in the West lack and this book is important to rectify our inherent lack of understanding of Islam and the people of Saudi Arabia. This book helped to dispel some of the myths and outright distortions I held in regards to Wahhabi doctrine and belief.
The author goes into great detail discussing the difficulties between such a conservative religious doctrine and the State that endorses it. Both the religion and the state have an uneasy marriage since the state derives much of its legitimacy form religion but yet the state strives for modernity while the religion clings to its conservative past. The religious leaders walk a delicate path between doing what their religion requires of them and sanctioning state actions. The religious leaders need the state's backing to retain power and dominance but yet their acquiescence to state demands hurts their own legitimacy with their religious followers.
The state also walks a fine line between endorsing the Wahhabis and the need to limit certain radical elements within their society. The main problem is the Wahhabis who have become disillusioned with their religious leaders and their seemingly subservient role to the state. These disillusioned masses have begun to incorporate other philosophies and schools of thought with their own brand of conservative Wahhabi belief, and this mixture has proved volatile for not just Saudi Arabia but the world as a whole. Groups like al Qaeda are the spawns of this new mixture.
This book is obviously the definitive and authoritative account of the history of Wahhabism up to the present, but I did have one problem with the book. Commins' seems to play down the role of Wahhabi thought and its dominance within Saudi Arabia for the creation of men like Osama bin Laden. Commins seems to place more of the blame on the influence of the Islamic Brotherhood and men like Qutb, but it seems to me that the dominance of Wahhabism in Saudi Arabia creates fertile breeding ground for these radicals. The fact that all outside influences are suppressed and conservative Wahhabi doctrines are forced on the whole population means that much of the population has no defense against radical ideas. They were not brought up to question ideas but instead were taught to block independent thought. The educational system and the religious systems seem to me to be, if not directly, then at least indirectly to blame for the current radicalization of certain elements within Saudi society.
These are just thoughts I came to conclude. This book is very good and is work that needs to be read and reread. The author has done an amazing job. I highly recommend this book to everyone. Of course my second criticism would be the price tag. I think this is going to limit the books readership and that's a shame. I hope the publishers will produce a soft cover that will be a lot less expensive. If you can afford to splurge on a book though, I recommend it be this one.
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