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Understanding Islam, Revised Edition: An Introduction to the Muslim World Audiobook
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(2.67) - 12 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Since the Gulf War, many have asked, why do Middle Easterners think and act as they do? Of the 900 million people today who follow the Islamic faith, all are profoundly affected by the teachings of Muhammad and by Muslim traditions that have developed over the past thirteen centuries.
This comprehensive guide offers an informative and insightful introduction to Islam, both as a religion and as a political-economic force. It tells the story of Muhammad and the rise of Islam; outlines the sacred book, the Koran; explains the Five Pillars of Faith; explores the interplay between religion and government; describes the differences that divide Islam; and above all, shows the influence of Islam on world affairs.
This revised edition provides crucial new material on the Islamic community today, including discussion of the Gulf War and the Salman Rushdie affair; the rise and ebb of fundamentalist fervor in Iran, Algeria, and elsewhere; and the relationships among different factions of the Islamic faith. There are also updated descriptions of internal politics in Syria, Egypt, Pakistan, and other Islamic nations. Understanding Islam is engrossing, essential reading for both students and all who seek a clearer understanding of the world in which we live.
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“[Wanda McCaddon’s] captivating English voice melds with the narrative, providing a dramatic and intriguing glimpse into one of the world’s ‘newer’ religions.”
— Large Print Reviews
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“His handling of modern issues is clear and thought-provoking, providing both new information and new insights.”
— Middle East Journal -
“Understanding Islam is an example of a book more likely to be listened to than read…[Wanda McCaddon’s] reading is fast and clear.”
— Wilson Library Bulletin -
“Especially illuminating on the close relationship of religion and what the West would consider secular politics in the Muslim world.”
— Library Journal
Understanding Islam, Revised Edition Listener Reviews
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" Dry, but accessible description of the formation of Islam and what it looks like today. Good for an objective viewpoint and detailed religious, political, and historical information. "
— Beth, 5/23/2011 -
" Good book. Not written the way a Muslim would write it, and believing Muslims won't like some details and conclusions here and there. However the writer is fair and objective, which I liked. "
— Mohamed, 1/19/2011 -
" This one wasn't as good as Armstrong's book, but there were a few gems of knowlege I appreciated getting from it...especially how it all went wrong between Jews and Islam. "
— Holly, 2/26/2009 -
" I enjoyed this book, though it's a good bit out of date. I would have liked to get post 2001 analysis on how radical Islam has changed over the past few years. In general though, a decent primer on a major world religion that most westerners look at with a sense of suspicion and darkness. "
— Paul, 4/4/2008 -
" i thought it was an average coverage of Islam. nothing to get too excited about but not bad either. "
— Andrew, 1/23/2008 -
" This is a decent review of muslim history and the arab world, though not in great detail. I'd recommend this for people who want cursory knowledge of muslim culture. Bernard Lewis is really my favorite author on this subject. "
— Kahilidoc, 7/22/2007
About Thomas W. Lippman
Thomas W. Lippman, a former Middle East bureau chief for the Washington Post, is an award-winning journalist who has written about Middle Eastern affairs and American foreign policy for more than three decades. He is a former adjunct senior fellow of the Council on Foreign Relations and an adjunct scholar at the Middle East Institute in Washington. The author of five other books on the Middle East and diplomacy, Lippman has appeared frequently on national television, news, and radio. He lives in Washington, DC.
About Wanda McCaddon
Wanda McCaddon (d. 2023) narrated well over six hundred titles for major audiobook publishers, sometimes with the pseudonym Nadia May or Donada Peters. She earned the prestigious Audio Award for best narration and numerous Earphones Awards. She was named a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine.