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2 of 3 found the following review helpful:
Comprehensive review of radical Islam Nov 02, 2006
By Julie Ruth Harley
The author gives us vital religious, historical and political background surrounding the important issues facing our world today. An excellent read with comprehensive statistics and footnotes. Thought-provoking and helpful to those of us who seek to understand Islam and the radicalized leaders who use violence to pursue their goals. Reading this led me to read the Koran for the first time.
2 of 3 found the following review helpful:
Dispelling Confusion With Fact Driven Analysis Jan 19, 2004
In the aftermath of 9/11 like many Americans I questioned Why would they do this to us?? I don't think I even really knew who 'they' were, I certainly couldn't answer the whole question. As time went on the cacophony of passionate commentators on all sides seeking to take possession of and answer this question confused me more than they enlightened. Painfully obvious in most cases were the religious, cultural, and political biases that each brought to the table. I am glad to have found Jihad On Us All. Consistent with his background in business consulting, the author, Steve Chambers, cuts through the noise of the public 'debate' to carefully examine the question using thoroughly researched, carefully documented facts. What I really liked about Jihad is that Chambers has obviously taken care to consider disparate views and address alternate opinions and concerns, but, after gathering facts and presenting them, he does not blanch at identifying their implications. As he shows, it's not all 'just a matter of opinion' and turning a blind eye, for even the most charitable of reasons, is not a pragmatic solution, it's an invitation to trouble. As background Chambers provides a concise but broad and balanced primer on Islam that I found extremely helpful and sufficient on its own for me to recommend the book. But the thrust of Jihad is an examination of the threat posed by Militant Islamists. Jihad carefully identifies them distinguishing them from Moderate Muslims and shows the religious, social, political, psychological, and economic factors that have bred and empowered this fanatic strain with such tragic consequences. Chambers shows that Militant Islam poses a serious and growing threat not just to the West, but to Moderate Islam, and in fact to any that do not join their cause. Jihad also provides a deeper review of two of the most troubled and troubling flashpoints of Militant Islam: the conflicts between Israel and Palestine, and between Pakistan and India over Kashmir. The histories and alarming trajectories of these long running conflicts, and the critical and dangerous role of Militant Islam in exacerbating and prolonging them offers a disturbing, and important lesson to Americans about the challenges that lay before us in countering Militant Islam. Finally, Chambers offers policy prescriptions ?how can we of the West, Moderate Muslims, and people of good will face this threat? Reflecting the overall character of the book these are pragmatic, constructive, and, one hopes, quite achievable. While Chambers encourages his readers to go further in their examination of this important issue, Jihad On Us All succeeded in giving me a much fuller appreciation for the complexity of my original question, a thoughtful response, and quite a bit more.
1 of 2 found the following review helpful:
21st century western view of Islam, without p.c. blinders Jan 16, 2004
By M.J. Remme
Chambers takes the reader who wishes to know more about Islam as it is practiced today into the history and theology which has filled the hearts of the Islamists with a burning hatred of the western world, and in particular American culture. He takes issue with the politically correct view that Islam is primarily a religion dedicated to peace, and fully discusses the pre-requisites to that peace as they are set out in the Koran and other Islamic doctrine. This book explains in academic detail why separation of church and state is such a hard sell in the Moslem world without patronizing that world or promoting any other religious viewpoints. It will not comfort pollyannas, but should also not frighten the reader into bigotry or intolerance. I would not hesitate to recommend the book to anyone seeking a basic, unbiased understanding of Islam as it exists in the 21st century.
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