Synopses & Reviews
The Gulf War, the World Trade Center bombing, conflicts in Afghanistan, Algeria, and Bosnia--these crises have dominated the headlines and global politics. Yet few of us know anything about Islam, a religion with one billion followers worldwide. Now John L. Esposito offers a timely new edition of
Islam: The Straight Path, his widely acclaimed guide to Islamic history, faith, culture, and politics.
Esposito provides a succinct, up-to-date survey of the Islamic experience, an introduction to the faith, belief, and practice of Islam from its origins to the present. He traces the emergence of this dynamic faith and its impact on world history and he discusses the formation of Islamic belief and practice in such areas as law, theology, philosophy, and mysticism. Equally important, Esposito provides much needed information on contemporary Islam. This third edition has been updated throughout and is enhanced by new material that more accurately reflects the true diversity of Muslim cultures. In particular, Esposito broadens the study of Islam beyond the Middle East with a new study of Pakistan as well as a new section on the Muslim presence in the US and the impact of such figures as Malcolm X, Warith uddin Muhammad, and Louis Farrakhan. In the final chapter, Esposito discusses modern Muslim thinking on religious pluralism, democracy, and human rights.
With years of teaching and travel in the Islamic world, Esposito offers an informed portrait of Muslim faith and thought. Lucidly written and expansive in scope, this new edition of a volume highly respected in the Islamic world provides keen insights into the world's second largest religion.
Review
Praise for the previous edition:
"The answer to every teacher's prayer for an informed and balanced introductory book. Elegantly written, beautifully synthesized, and helpful."--Leila Fawaz, Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy
"A splendid introduction to Islam. Esposito paints over a wide canvas in depicting the emergence of the Muslim community, the varieties of Muslim beliefs and practices, the tensions between tradition and modernity, and the Islamic resurgence of recent years....A timely gem." --Philip Khoury, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
"The best and most obvious choice for courses on Islam, Islamic history, and Middle Eastern history. Well-written and accessible to undergraduates. The best English language text on Islam."--Robert S. Kramer, St. Norbert College
Synopsis
Now in an expanded edition, this outstandingly successful survey text introduces students of religion and world politics to the faith and practice of Islam, the second largest religion in the world and one of the most politically potent. Tracing the law, theology, mysticism and philosophy of Islam from its earliest origins to its contemporary resurgence, the text also dispels stereotypes about the role of Islam in Muslim life today and its complex and at times conflagrational influence on politics and government throughout the world. A comprehensive and highly useful text for students of religion and world politics, The Straight Path is an indispensable resource for understanding Islam in all its contemporary vitality.
Synopsis
The world's second largest religion, Islam is also one of the fastest growing and most politically potent, yet its nature remains obscure to many westerners despite its common theological and historical roots with Judaism and Christianity. Combining the finest Western scholarship with an insider's understanding of the Muslim world, this book provides a brief, yet comprehensive, introduction to the faith, belief, and practice of Islam from the seventh century to the contemporary resurgence. Drawing on his extensive experience traveling, researching, and teaching in the Muslim world, John L. Esposito records the struggle of Muslims to define and follow their way of life through the development of Islamic law, theology, mysticism, and philosophy, bringing his discussion to life with excerpts from a wide range of original sources. Written for a broad audience, Islam: The Straight Path addresses the powerful and pervasive role of Islam in modern Muslim life and the issues that Islam faces, avoiding simplified political generalizations about the contemporary scene. Completely up-to-date, this book is indispensable to understanding the Islamic world during this turbulent and important period in its history.
Synopsis
This exceptionally successful survey text introduces the faith, belief, and practice of Islam from its earliest origins up to its contemporary resurgence. The author, an internationally renowned expert on Islam, traces the development of this dynamic faith and its impact on world history and politics, discussing the formation of Islamic belief and practice (in law, theology, and mysticism) and chronicling the struggle of Muslims to define and adhere to their Islamic way of life. This third edition has been updated throughout and is enhanced by new material in order to more accurately reflect the true diversity of Muslim cultures. A study of Pakistan has been added to the existing country-by-country survey, broadening the scope of the volume beyond the countries of the Middle East for the first time. A new section on Islam in the West explores the significance of the Muslim presence in the U.S., Great Britain, and Europe, examining some of the issues it has raised. Noteworthy figures, including Malcolm X, Warith Deen Muhammad, and Louis Farrakhan, are also considered. In the final chapter, Esposito discusses modern Muslim thinking on such issues as religious pluralism, democracy, and human rights. Lucidly written and expansive in scope, the third edition of Islam: The Straight Path provides keen insight into one of the world's least understood religions and is ideally suited for use in courses on Islam, comparative religions, and Middle Eastern history and culture.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 265-272) and index.
About the Author
About the Author - John L. Esposito is Professor of Religion and Director of the Center for International Studies at the College of the Holy Cross, and served as President of the Middle East Studies Association. His many publications include Islam and Politics, Islam in Asia, Voices of Resurgent Islam, and The Iranian Revolution: Its Global Impact.
Table of Contents
Preface to the Third Edition
Preface to the Second Edition
Preface to the First Edition
Introduction
1. Muhammad and the Quran: Messenger and Message
2. The Muslim Community in History
3. Religious Life: Belief and Practice
4. Modern Interpretations of Islam
5. Contemporary Islam: Religion and Politics
6. Islam and Change: Issues of Authority and Interpretation
Glossary
Notes
Select Bibliography
Index