Political Islam from Muhammad to Ahmadinejad: Defenders, Detractors, and Definitions (Praeger Security International) Hardcover – Import, 25 November 2009

very good!!

Although bookshelves and even e-books are literally groaning with the countless volumes, published in English and many other languages, on issues directly related to the catastrophic events of September 11, 2001 and thereafter, relatively few have made a deliberate effort to inform readers of the actual methods, goals and intentions of those groups and persons who espouse and justify the ideology of political Islam, under color of "religion." In this very new work, published just this year, Editor Skelly clearly has taken a significantly different course. The bookliner indicates that "Under the auspices of the Association for the Study of the Middle East and Africa, JMS brings together a team of experts to create a compelling, scholarly investigation of the fusion of Islam and politics that has given rise to the ideology of Islamism." Editor Skelly is himself 281-paged, hard-coveredan associate professor of history at the College of Mount Saint Vincent in New York City and has publihed books and articles on diplomatic history, international affairs and international terrorism. This reviewer very much enjoyed reading this 28--paged, hard-covered volume, previously having had but a very limited understanding of these important contemporary issues. And, would recommend that others similarly situated here in the Wst, do likewise. There is absolutely too much at stake in the Western world, much the ideological target of political Islam, for the average thinking person, American or otherwise, to leave understanding and interpretation of the underlying issues in the hands of of intellectuals and media mavens, as is presently the case. Get a copy and read it! You will likely find it to be an enlightening and informative experiences, as did this reviewer, while attention should of course also be given to the many other informative writings available on this important and contemporary issue of a highly Politicized Islamic ideology, posturing as being just a "peaceful" religion.