Islam: The Straight Path Updated with New Epilogue, 3rd edition

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 336 pages
• Published by: Oxford University Press, USA; 3 Rev Upd edition December 30, 2004
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0195182669
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0195182668
• Book Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Weighs: 12.8 ounces

Product Review

Praise for previous editions: "The answer to every teacher's prayer for an informed and balanced introductory book. Elegantly written, gorgeously 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 yearsA 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
"One of the best introductory texts on Islam and the Islamic world. I think the book's greatest strength is that it's written in a way that is comprehensible and easily accessible without compromising substance."--Ibrahim Kalim, College of the Holy Cross


Product Description
This updated version of Islam: The Straight Path includes a new Epilogue by John Esposito in which he addresses the impact 9/11 and its aftermath have had on both the Muslim and non-Muslim world, discussing Islam's relationship to democracy and modernity and focusing more sharply on the origins and growth of extremism and terrorism in the name of Islam.
This exceptionally successful survey text introduces the faith, belief, and practice of Islam from its earliest origins up to its contemporary resurgence. Esposito, 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 and chronicling the struggle of Muslims to define and adhere to their Islamic way of life. Lucidly written and expansive in scope, 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.

Reader Reviews
Many books these days claim to give readers "a true depiction," of Islam, but most of them fail to live up to their promise. "Islam:The Straight Path," is an exception to that rule. Esposito's book is the most objective overview on Islamic beliefs published, and is required reading for any one who wants to understand prevalent beliefs and virtues held in esteem, embraced and practiced by Islamic societies in countries across the world - not only where Islam is the dominant religion, but also in countries such as the US and UK where Islam is a religion of a minority. Esposito highlights how the interpretation and articulation of values may differ depending on cultural settings. This book is often a standard core text for survey courses on Islamic societies, Islamic history and basic relgion courses for good reason. It is comprehesive in its analysis and provides a great wealth of information in very accessible form. No serious student of world affairs or religious dialogue can afford to ignore this book.