Very interesting exploration of the origins of Islam in Syrian Christianity and Judaism. Kind of tedious to read at times, but nonetheless contains lots of ideas you just can't find in more mainstream books, because they're dangerous to write about. Like the idea that some of the Koran is derived from the Talmud.
An excellent review on Amazon points out that the book skewers both left and right westerners too:
Islamic fundamentalists are ideologically similar to conservative right-wingers: if you have any doubts, look at the completely illogical and self-serving justifications offered by George W. Bush and Osama Bin Laden for their voluntary wars- both claim God is on their side and both seek support by playing to the fears and ignorance of the masses. They are, however, politically opposed to each other (it's called OIL). Leftist intellectuals have made heavy allowances for the understanding and acceptance of Islam and other 'backward' cultures, offering some deeply convoluted apologies for its inhumanity in an attempt at hypertolerant inclusion.
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http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1591020115/?tag=patricknet-20
Very interesting exploration of the origins of Islam in Syrian Christianity and Judaism. Kind of tedious to read at times, but nonetheless contains lots of ideas you just can't find in more mainstream books, because they're dangerous to write about. Like the idea that some of the Koran is derived from the Talmud.
An excellent review on Amazon points out that the book skewers both left and right westerners too:
#politics