No god but God
by Reza Aslan
No god but God
Reza Aslan |
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Read in June, 2007
In this interesting book, Aslan starts each section by presenting 'the idealized' view of a topic, as narrated by early Muslim scholars (what he terms as 'myth') and then presents what he believes 'really happened' (objective history). Myth typically includes miracles, and heroic portrayals of people involved. Those inclined to believe in miracles may have difficulty with this approach, as he says that it doesn't matter whether miracles happened, but what role such myths play in shaping the beli...more
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Read in January, 2006
"Religion, it must be understood, is not faith. Religion is the story of faith." That is the reader's key to this fascinating account of the origins and development of Islam. Faith is a way of moving and being in the world; religion is a body of traditions and practices and institutions that preserve the story of how to move and be in the world that way. In order to speak to new generations, traditions adapt, but faith is eternal. From this perspective, Reza Aslan retells the story of ...more
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Read in March, 2007
this review first appeared on intraspace.blogspot.com
this was a book that mike recommended to me, and it just so happened that our local library had a copy.
i think most of us in the 'west', and certainly a good number of us christians, like to think we know a bit about islam. we hear about it in the news almost everyday, and we hear the rhetoric that comes from all sides. unfortunately, it is usually only sensationalist materia...more
this was a book that mike recommended to me, and it just so happened that our local library had a copy.
i think most of us in the 'west', and certainly a good number of us christians, like to think we know a bit about islam. we hear about it in the news almost everyday, and we hear the rhetoric that comes from all sides. unfortunately, it is usually only sensationalist materia...more
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An astounding work. This book really took the top of my head off. Aslan is an excellent writer, and the book isn't too academic, but his command of Arabic and, at the same time, comprehensive familiarity with not one but at least three or four different English translations of the Quran (and the misunderstandings that result therefrom) makes this well worth reading.
Aslan makes a strong case for the Hijaz as a place of prelapsarian cultural intermingling for Jews, Christians, and Muslims; hi...more
Aslan makes a strong case for the Hijaz as a place of prelapsarian cultural intermingling for Jews, Christians, and Muslims; hi...more
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Read in September, 2007
recommends it for:
litterally everyone.. islamophobics, fundamentalists, traditionalists..all
This book looked interesting to me mostly since I looked at the back cover and saw the good-looking young author, with glasses and rumpled hair, glancing at me, his head tilted sideways a little. Err, I thought, I’d love to read his book... But then this book turned out to be far more captivating then the author’s picture.
This is as a matter of fact a small but significant revelation in my time of ignorance lately. I kinda feel enlightened again. I think it’s because I picked the right m...more
This is as a matter of fact a small but significant revelation in my time of ignorance lately. I kinda feel enlightened again. I think it’s because I picked the right m...more
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Read in January, 2007
An amazing book! Especially now in the media, where there is so much assumption of the Islamic religion--its traditions, culture, and politics--this book provides a refreshing look at the reality of this culture and where it all stemmed from.
Aslan, born in Iran and moved to the United States during the Iranian Revolution, approaches the history of Islam almost as a work of fiction. As a reader, you become invested in the characters--Muhammed, Khadijah, Abu Bakr, and Ali. They become real p...more
Aslan, born in Iran and moved to the United States during the Iranian Revolution, approaches the history of Islam almost as a work of fiction. As a reader, you become invested in the characters--Muhammed, Khadijah, Abu Bakr, and Ali. They become real p...more
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recommends it for:
history-philes, those interested in a more contextual Islamic history
I'm about 2/3 done with this. Despite the fact that I disagree with Aslan on numerous points, I think his peripheral vision of the history of Islam is very cohesive and he doesn't leave anything out. He solidified his point of view beautifully. I have yet to read the rest, which is more of a meditation on the evolution of Islam post-Khomeini.
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Okay, I loved it. He presented his point holistically and immersed it in context, justification, and logic. Whether or not you contest Aslan's p...more
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Okay, I loved it. He presented his point holistically and immersed it in context, justification, and logic. Whether or not you contest Aslan's p...more
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Read in March, 2008
recommends it for:
Those interested in Islam
I found Aslan's account to be sporadic, wide-ranging and often lacking in depth; the ambitious nature of the book meant that some issues were superficially explored. Some annoying traits were also present in his writing style, such as beginning chapters with a presentation of a historical episode in the present tense, as though narrating a story, which I found trite.
However, where Aslan's book did succeed was in providing a historical sketch of the rise of Islam which succinctly dealt with...more
However, where Aslan's book did succeed was in providing a historical sketch of the rise of Islam which succinctly dealt with...more
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Read in May, 2008
I recommend this overview of the history of Islam. The final chapters do an excellent job of marrying history and current attitudes in a way that explains current events.
I am moved by how beautiful quoted passages of the Quran. I think a book that addresses the text would make good companion reading. This book is more the history of political movement that coincides with Islam. It seems that there is more history and political evolution of tribal culture under the guise of Islam than act...more
I am moved by how beautiful quoted passages of the Quran. I think a book that addresses the text would make good companion reading. This book is more the history of political movement that coincides with Islam. It seems that there is more history and political evolution of tribal culture under the guise of Islam than act...more
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Read in July, 2006
recommends it for:
Everyone On Earth
This is one of the best books I've read in years. It's beautiful and amazing. This might sound weird for a book about a religion, but its almost impossible to put down.
It's exceedingly well written and accessible. It's concise and assumes know prior knowledge of Islam and yet between its covers it really gives the reader an understanding of the story of Islam and a feel for what it might mean to be Muslim.
After reading No God But God, I have a greater appreciation for Islam, but I also ...more
It's exceedingly well written and accessible. It's concise and assumes know prior knowledge of Islam and yet between its covers it really gives the reader an understanding of the story of Islam and a feel for what it might mean to be Muslim.
After reading No God But God, I have a greater appreciation for Islam, but I also ...more
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Read in March, 2007
recommended to Lisa by:
Tonirecommends it for: information junkies
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
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Read in July, 2006
recommends it for:
everyone!
This is one of my favorite books. It was recommended, then a friend loaned the copy she had borrowed from another friend to me while I was visiting her in Cambodia. Sadly, I had to leave before I could finish it. When I got to Australia to visit my parents, (my next destination) on my first day back I begged my mom to take me to a bookstore in Fremantle so I pick up where I left off right away. I have since loaned this book out many times and given it as a gift. I even got my friend to make it h...more
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Read in May, 2008
This is due back at the library before I will be able to finish it. His writing style is pleasant, and I would like to finish this one day, as I think it would be a good introduction to Islam for me. From the Introduction and early pages, I infer that the author is trying to do for Islam what liberal Christians have tried to do for Christianity: reducing it to a nice story that inspires nice behavior, the historical truth of which is ultimately irrelevant. This approach to religion is all well a...more
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Read in August, 2007
recommends it for:
all Americans
If you were ever curious as to why we are at odds with the Middle East, I suggest reading this book. With the exception of the last chapter, this accurately tells the story of Islam from it's pre-Islamic (pagan) roots up through colonialism (where in the last chapter, it reflects the author's experience escaping Iran). It explains many of the customs present in Islamic culture and the origins of Islamic Fundamentalism, Pan Arabism, and Pan Islamism. It concludes that as Westerners, we are not...more
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Read in March, 2008
recommended to Kate by:
Conrad
Conrad's review says more than I possibly could about this book. Nevertheless:
I found the book accessible, but not at all dumbed-down, and I am very glad to have read it. Not at all dry, not something to be taken for granted in what could be considered a history, however brief, of an entire religion. Aslan styles himself as historian, scholar and, uniquely, storyteller. Many events in the pre-Islam hijaz, during t...more
I found the book accessible, but not at all dumbed-down, and I am very glad to have read it. Not at all dry, not something to be taken for granted in what could be considered a history, however brief, of an entire religion. Aslan styles himself as historian, scholar and, uniquely, storyteller. Many events in the pre-Islam hijaz, during t...more
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Reza Aslan is so so so smart...and he is able to depart from acadamia to make a very readable historical view of Islam. I was able to read this cover-to-cover, and stay attentive the entire way. Reza does a fabulous job of re-telling the history of Islam, incorporating the work of modern feminist and non-traditional historical accounts. The result is a view of Islam that is informative about the foundation of any faith: the dominant world-view wins. Or...the perspective of those in power wins...more
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Read in January, 2008
I saw Reza Aslan speak at the Connecticut Forum and thought "who is this handsome fellow, this dashing and articulate young man?" When he spoke, I sort of leaned forward in my chair because his ideas were fun to toss around in my head. Stephen Colbert describes him on wikiality: "With thick, wavy hair that just screams for someone to run their fingers through, his dark eyes beckon us towards him. He, the ruggedly handsome stable boy, me, the naive young girl visiting her aunt fro...more
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Read in April, 2008
The Koran is considered the miracle of Islam. The author pointed out that in the Torah Moses performed miracles of magic and Jesus healed people. In Islam the miracle is the word. This really struck me. I suppose because I am Protestant and our focus is the word of God (though I have never considered the Bible a miracle). I understand very little about Islam though after reading this book my understanding has increased. His overview of the faith is excellent and he contextualizes difficult conce...more
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Read in November, 2007
recommends it for:
everyone
Aslan's writing is fluid and enjoyable, which is something I loved about this book. I've really been wanting to learn more about Islam and its history and culture, and this was a book the caught my attention among several recs. The author is a Muslim, from an Iranian family that emigrated to the U.S. after the revolution. As such, he writes with a level of reverance and respect for his religion. However, as a scholar, he also is able to turn a critical eye to the history of Islam and recognize t...more
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Read in December, 2006
recommends it for:
someone who already has a basic understanding of Islamic history; not good for beginners
This was a pretty good introduction to Islam (at least through the period of the Caliphs - it becomes highly disjointed and disorganized after that). After reading this book, I really wanted to find another history of Islam that was more chronological and less thematic in its organization. Perhaps this book is more readable if you already understand the chronology of events. However, for a novice, it is likely to be somewhat confusing.
He has a beautiful narrative writing style which was enjo...more
He has a beautiful narrative writing style which was enjo...more
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