jjares reviewed Destiny Disrupted: A History of the World through Islamic Eyes on + 3413 more book reviews
As I have been reading this book, I am in awe of the author's command of language. This is a beautifully, clearly written story of Islam. The author makes a good point of the early Muslims using 'jihad' as a method of keeping soldiers active at the edges of the Muslim world while leaving the center of the Muslim world serene and at peace. This drained violence so Muslims did not fight each other, but they protected their realm, at the edges against those who would harm them. Thus, Muslims became peaceful amongst themselves and only fought the 'others' (non-Muslims).
Ansary takes the long view, so Westerners can understand WHERE Islamic ideas come from and how that affects their world view today. I'd like to make a point about Ansary's writing style -- it is highly understandable. He takes his readers through the history of Islam (religion as well as politics) in a way so readers have 'AHA!' moments in every chapter. It is shocking to see that European, Russian, and American alien powers have been in control of Muslim lives through their snapping up natural resources from these countries and giving them a pittance of their value while exporting that wealth to their own economies. This method of creating wealth has occurred time after time; taking advantage of Muslim countries repeatedly.
Ansary's explanation of the different views of the Israel-Palestine question is particularly poignant. I've never heard such a clear explanation of why there is so much conflict there before. This is a well-researched book and I plan to read it again. There is so much here and I want to experience it again. BTW, I happened to have a chance to listen to this book, with the author reading. I think his inflections added much to my enjoyment of the book.
Fascinating trivia gleaned from this book: At one time, Muslims prayed with their faces toward Jerusalem. After a revelation, Muslims turned their prayer to Mecca.
Ansary takes the long view, so Westerners can understand WHERE Islamic ideas come from and how that affects their world view today. I'd like to make a point about Ansary's writing style -- it is highly understandable. He takes his readers through the history of Islam (religion as well as politics) in a way so readers have 'AHA!' moments in every chapter. It is shocking to see that European, Russian, and American alien powers have been in control of Muslim lives through their snapping up natural resources from these countries and giving them a pittance of their value while exporting that wealth to their own economies. This method of creating wealth has occurred time after time; taking advantage of Muslim countries repeatedly.
Ansary's explanation of the different views of the Israel-Palestine question is particularly poignant. I've never heard such a clear explanation of why there is so much conflict there before. This is a well-researched book and I plan to read it again. There is so much here and I want to experience it again. BTW, I happened to have a chance to listen to this book, with the author reading. I think his inflections added much to my enjoyment of the book.
Fascinating trivia gleaned from this book: At one time, Muslims prayed with their faces toward Jerusalem. After a revelation, Muslims turned their prayer to Mecca.
