Interview: Bernard Lewis on Islam & the Middle East

BookNotes.org ^ | December 30, 2001 | Brian Lamb

[canuck_conservative]

For your Saturday morning, from one of the leading western experts in the area.

[rlmorel]

I highly recommend several of his books, “What Went Wrong” and “Crisis in Islam”. HIGHLY educational, and written in a very readable way for such a distinguished scholar.

[Palter]

‘The second article was one which appeared in Foreign Affairs in ‘98.
I read an article in an Arabic newspaper, published in London, giving
the text of a proclamation by a man I had not previously heard of,
called Osama bin Laden,’

???

Prof. Lewis had not heard of OBL until 98? Wow.

[bert]

.....This is a major difference between the United States and these various cultures of the Middle East, where they have a very acute sense of history, a very keen awareness of the past. .....

There is one. He takes a long view, longer than the election cycle, longer than the news cycle,longer than most can comprehend. Because most can’t comprehend his long view and are too lazy to do the study required to form such a view, he is vilified.

He is America’s best thinker. His name is Newt

[combat_boots]

Tnx.

ping (long though)

[rlmorel]

This is a great condensation...

[rlmorel]

Really, nobody had heard of him except some inside intelligence agencies...

[FryingPan101]

I didn’t see this interview. Thanks for posting the transcript. I thought it was fascinating.

[cerberus]

An interesting and insightful article.......thanks!

[ilovesarah2012]

Very interesting. I need to read it again to really understand, but he certainly seems like he knows what he is talking about.

Islam is worthless. I just don’t see the attraction.

[Palter]

Nonsense. Only if you don't read a international paper, ie, the NYT’s talked about him for years prior to 98 and beyond.

[Norman Bates]

Bookmark

[Dinah Lord]

Thanks for posting.

[don-o]

Great stuff. I read it all. Thanks for posting

[JimRed]

Bump for later read.

[FreedomPoster]

I read What Went Wrong? shortly after 9/11. Recommended.

[mckenzie7]

Will be leaving for Mass in a short time so I will bookmark this for reading again. It is easy for me to understand, but my brain is withering and I need to have more time to digest my readings!

From an ex patriot to a patriot of the heart, thank you.

[Valin]

I highly recommend several of his books, “What Went Wrong” and “Crisis in Islam”. HIGHLY educational, and written in a very readable way for such a distinguished scholar.

Islam: The Religion and the People
Bernard Lewis, Buntzie Ellis Churchill
http://www.amazon.com/Islam-Religion-People-Bernard-Lewis/dp/0132230852/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1283093357&sr=1-6

Lewis (Near Eastern studies, emeritus, Princeton Univ.; The Crisis of Islam) and Churchill (former president, World Affairs Council of Philadelphia) offer an accessible introduction to Muslims and their faith. In clear language, the authors cover the faith’s development, its five pillars, Scripture and tradition, law, the mosque, diversity, sectarian divisions, government, economics, women, dress, language, war and peace, and radicalism. There are three particular strengths. First, Lewis and Churchill insist that Islam cannot be reduced to extremes as either a bloodthirsty creed or solely a message of peace. The Qur’an advocates a range of responses according to specific circumstances. Second, the authors humanize Islam by including insets on “Islamic humor” in every chapter. Third, the book replaces dangerous characterizations of Islam as an enemy with an understanding of Islam as a faith intimately connected to Christianity and Judaism. Through understanding Islam, readers may see that the minority who espouse a radicalized totalitarian version of Islam represent neither the faith nor most of its followers. Highly recommended for all libraries.

[ishabibble]

Great read, thanks for posting it.

[politicianslie]

Thanks