Order from a Major Online Bookstore
Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine
Save Your Time And Money
| AnyBook4Less.com | Order from a Major Online Bookstore |
|
| Home | Store List | FAQ | Contact Us | | ||
| Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine Save Your Time And Money |
||
 |
Title: The Complete Idiot's Guide(R) to Understanding Islam by Yahiya Emerick, Qasim Najar, Quasim Najar, Yahiya John Emerick ISBN: 0-02-864233-3 Publisher: Alpha Books Pub. Date: 05 October, 2001 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $18.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.78 (59 reviews)
Rating: 2
Summary: Some great basic info surrounded by rubbish
Comment: As a recovering Protestant turned inquiring skeptic of all religions, I've been looking for books that offer a fair and balanced view of various religions. I'm not so much interested in the warm and fuzzy details, just the cut and dry whys and whats behind various beliefs and practices.
Let me just state up front that I am not especially against Islam -- or any other religion. I have issues with them all. Also, my last two long term committed relationships were with Muslim raised women. I bought the book, in part, to help fill in a few blanks.
Unfortunately, the author is blatantly biased in favor of Islam and glosses over certain details and, at times, outright lies or omits contradictory information.
The author points out that the Muslim World was invaded during the Crusades. Fair enough. But then nothing is mentioned about the Muslim invasions of Christian areas.
In a race to come off as pro-American and patriotic post 9-11, the author addresses the US policy and actions against Iraq in a blatantly ignorant fashion that few Arabs or Muslims would agree with. As an expert on the US policy on Iraq, I can say without doubt that there is little support for the sanctions which kill innocent civilians and, in fact, HELP Saddam Hussein. But to read this book you'd think that all Muslims and Arabs were gung ho for the US policy. The whole section on Iraq is complete nonsense, devoid of any important background information. (For a good explanation for both the US policies in the Middle East and the atrocities committed by Arab states I strongly recommend Said Aburish's book, Brutal Friendship. His book on Saddam Hussein is also very good.)
What is particularly annoying to me is the author's emphasis on supposed equality between men and women in Islam. Listen, if you want to believe something, believe in your own terms. It's as if the author is trying to superimpose western ideals over a system that is blatantly sexist. For example, the author explains that the reason that women pray in the back of mosques is so that the men won't be distracted. This is the same reason given for the variations of the head covering. And then the author has the audacity to say that this is "equal" treatment! Obviously, many western women face unwanted sexual advances. However, regardless of whether you're in the US or in a Muslim country the same truth prevails: It is the responsibility of the MEN to behave themselves. Saying that a woman must cover herself or that she must hide in the back of a mosque is not "equality." It's the punishment of women for the failure of men to control themselves. This author, without a doubt, has no clue as to what gender equality really means.
On the positive side, I gave this book two stars instead of one because there is some basic info provided that will help non-Muslims better understand certain things. Basic vocabulary and brief histories of various Islamic people and events are all provided.
Overall, this book reads like a religious tract that you might find left on your doorstep by people you'd wish would just leave you alone. I want to emphasize that I would say the same thing about a book that discussed ANY relgion in this manner. It makes me wonder if the Complete Idiot's Guide(R) series approaches Christianity, Judaism and other religions in the same way. For example, do they defend the Catholic practice of excluding women from leadership positions and then say they support "equality"? Do they accept without question the Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands? And so on. If that's the case, I plan to avoid the entire series!
If you want to learn about religion without feeling like the author is trying to convert you, without feeling like you're being manipulated, then I recommend that you look elsewhere.
Rating: 1
Summary: The title says it all!
Comment: If you are a complete idiot you will believe that this book will explain Islam to you. This book is an excuse to whitewash the actions of muslim mayhem makers. Everything bad that happens is the fault of the Jews, Christians, Hindus, etc., certainly not the muslims. Careful choice of Koranic messages is used to deny responsibility and distort the actual passages as written in the Koran itself. This is a propaganda piece not an honest explaination of the truth of Islam. The true measure of the "goodness" of a religion is how it urges its adherents to behave toward others. Look around with open eyes and the truth is clear. Either the Islamic way or else; some choice! Read the summary near the end and it clearly states, in part, muslims want complete compensation for every real or imagined slight they have ever experienced (even when it happened because of their own actions). That was the truest statement in the book.
Read instead, the Koran itself (in translation) and you will learn far more.
Rating: 4
Summary: Supplement
Comment: On equality of Men and Women, I think Patrik Carkin did not fully understand the author's point.
The author explains that the head covering for women is part of the dress code that by cultural norms falls in the decent category of clothing.
Different cultures have different norms relating to dress code for women (and indeed for men). While it may be alright for a woman to publicly bare her breasts in some scandinavian countries, it certainly is not here in the US. In fact it is illegal.
Because in our American society, women are required to cover their bossoms in public (with the exception of mardi gras) while men can walk around shirtless if they so wish, does it mean women are opressed in our society?
Some will argue so.
 |
Title: The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Koran (Complete Idiot's Guide To...) by Muhammad Sarwar, Brandon Toropov, Sheikh Muhammad Sarwar ISBN: 1592571050 Publisher: Alpha Books Pub. Date: 07 October, 2003 List Price(USD): $18.95 |
 |
Title: The Complete Idiot's Guide To Understanding Iraq by Joseph Tragert, James S. Robbins ISBN: 0028643984 Publisher: Alpha Books Pub. Date: 07 August, 2002 List Price(USD): $18.95 |
 |
Title: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Middle East Conflict (2nd Edition) by Mitchell G. Bard ISBN: 0028644107 Publisher: Alpha Books Pub. Date: 12 November, 2002 List Price(USD): $18.95 |
 |
Title: The Complete Idiot's Guide(R) to Hinduism by Linda Johnsen, Jody P. Schaeffer, David Frawley ISBN: 0028642279 Publisher: Alpha Books Pub. Date: 11 October, 2001 List Price(USD): $18.95 |
 |
Title: Muhammad (Critical Lives) by Yahiya J. Emerick ISBN: 0028643712 Publisher: Alpha Books Pub. Date: 08 April, 2002 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
Thank you for visiting www.AnyBook4Less.com and enjoy your savings!
Copyright� 2001-2021 Send your comments
