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77th out of 217 books
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35 voters
The Complete Infidel's Guide to the Koran
Written in an extremely accessible style by bestselling author Robert Spencer, "The Complete Infidel's Guide to the Koran" is a fact-based but light-hearted look at the key elements, values, and beliefs in the Koran.
Paperback, 272 pages
Published
September 22nd 2009
by Regnery Publishing
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While not a complete compendium of Islam, for anyone who is interested in how the current conflict came about and how a group with the same God as Jews and Christians could want to kill you because.. well, God said so..(huuruph?)this is a great place to start.
I think any modern English speaking person is aware that most people do not follow their religion to the letter, bacon egg and cheeses and Saturday traffic at the mall -2 general examples-but to pretend that there isn't a significant factio...more
I think any modern English speaking person is aware that most people do not follow their religion to the letter, bacon egg and cheeses and Saturday traffic at the mall -2 general examples-but to pretend that there isn't a significant factio...more
I was disappointed in this book. Whether it’s true or not hardly seems to matter; I was still disappointed.
Spencer hopes to introduce casual readers to the words of the Koran, and he has nothing good to say about it. He compares it to Mein Kampf. Here are some of the chapter titles:
The Muslims’ Worst Enemies: The Koran on the Jews
The Koran on Christians: They’re Not So Hot, Either
The Koran on Women: Crooked and Inferior
The Koran Teaches Nonviolence—Oh, and Violence, Too
Here’s the bottom line: If...more
Spencer hopes to introduce casual readers to the words of the Koran, and he has nothing good to say about it. He compares it to Mein Kampf. Here are some of the chapter titles:
The Muslims’ Worst Enemies: The Koran on the Jews
The Koran on Christians: They’re Not So Hot, Either
The Koran on Women: Crooked and Inferior
The Koran Teaches Nonviolence—Oh, and Violence, Too
Here’s the bottom line: If...more
7 likes · like · see review
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Since I am an Infidel, I thought this book would be a good overview of the Koran for me. I have long intended to read the Koran itself, but lose my motivation for three reasons. First, the Koran is not a collection of chronological teachings, but provides bits and pieces of Muhammed's wisdom without context. Also, Islam teaches that the Koran is to be read only in Arabic. Finally, Islam accepts the Koran as incomplete without the illumination of the Hadith, which has no canonically agreed conten...more
Ugh this was so bad I am glad I only listened to it on audiobook. I accidentally downloaded it because I mixed up this right-wing christian author with another more academically minded author. Frustratingly, there were nuggets of interesting information in this book, like how some stuff from gnostic gospels floating around the Arab world at the time of Mohammed made their way into the Koran and how the stuff in the Koran from when Mohammed was first starting out differed from what was "revealed"...more
Pretty much the introduction of this book says it all when the author says, "This guide will inevitably be branded as anti-Islamic, as well as bigoted, hateful, and Islamaphobic.....Whether the Koran really says what this guide claims can easily be verified. And if this guide accurately reports its contents that couldn't possibly be an act of hatred or bigotry."
That is the statement of the century. It is very easy to determine if this author is telling the truth, and having read the English tra...more
That is the statement of the century. It is very easy to determine if this author is telling the truth, and having read the English tra...more
3 likes · like · see review
Spencer himself believes his book will be branded as "anti-Islamic", "bigoted," "hateful," and "Islamophobic" because much of the information contained in his book in regards to how the Koran should treat infidels is very negative. He addresses these accusations of hate-mongering directly in his first chapter arguing that the accuracy of his guide account of the Koran's contents can be easily verified. And if Spencer's guide is accurate, than it can't be an act of "hatred" or "bigotry".
Spencer's...more
Spencer's...more
Together with Ibn Warraq's "Why I Am Not a Muslim," this is a must read for non-Muslims who wish to understand the background, history, and possible results of the violent forms of Islam that are claiming power today. Well written and a fascinating (and frightening)read.
[NOTE: I forgot to add that I do have one problem with the author and his book: while his criticisms of islam do fit with my other reading, the author tries to sneak in support of conservative christian ideas. I tend to just igno...more
[NOTE: I forgot to add that I do have one problem with the author and his book: while his criticisms of islam do fit with my other reading, the author tries to sneak in support of conservative christian ideas. I tend to just igno...more
A very good critical analysis of the Koran. Spencer illuminates the extent to which western apologists, including President Obama, have sanitized the contractory directives in the Koran. This books contributes well to a larger understanding of wold politics, including why Isreal will never be safe (Jews are called apes and pigs in the Koran), how Pakistan can simultaneously accept aid from the US and harbor/promote anti-US insurgents, and why Islamic totalitarianism continues as the greatest thr...more
Feb 11, 2011
ImEmile
added it
At first glance the title might lead you to believe that the author is disrespectful of the Koran and its teachings. He's not. He has read and studied the Koran and gives an excellent explanation of the major points, as well as good comparisons with the Bible on those points. As he says, the Koran may be an excellent example of Arabic literature, but it does lose a lot of its readability in the translation. I'm glad I'm reading this book...if I ever attempt to read the Koran this book should mak...more
Not what I expected. Well researched and documented, but narrow minded. Documented that the fundamentalist position is intolerant and inherently violent, then jumped to the conclusion that the fundamentalist interpretation is the only valid interpretation. I am glad I read this book (actually, listened to the audiobook), because it provided a different point of view than the one I previously held. But if this were the only point of view available, I think it would be terribly misleading.
Feb 03, 2011
Tony Derricott
added it
I listened to the audio book driving to and from work over a period of a number of days. It's 7CDs - 8 hours so it must have taken 2 or 3 weeks. Given that driving doesn't always allow you to pay full attention to the "book" I learned a number of things; mostly that the Koran doesn't seem that different than the Bible, nor Islam than Christianity. In the words of -- I think it was Jerry Maguire -- "Can't we all just get along?"
Apr 08, 2010
Nicole Marble
added it
It's hard to know how accurate or 'true' this explanation of the Koran is. The translator/author is neither sympathetic or empathetic towards the Koran. But the final chapter might be the most telling as the author chastises President Obama as 'naive' in attempting to have a dialog with Muslims. And proposes that all Muslims be excluded from the US as a matter of self defense.
In other words, this book has an 'agenda' - one I reject.
In other words, this book has an 'agenda' - one I reject.
Jul 23, 2012
Amblingbooks.com
marked it as to-read
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review of another edition
Shelves:
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religion-spirituality
Written in an extremely accessible style by bestselling author Robert Spencer, The Complete Infidel's Guide to the Koran is a fact-based but light-hearted look at the key elements, values, and beliefs in the Koran.
Listen to The Complete Infidel's Guide to the Koran on your smartphone, notebook or desktop computer.
Listen to The Complete Infidel's Guide to the Koran on your smartphone, notebook or desktop computer.
A lot of great insight in this book about the Koran, looking at all the different English translations and the variety of interpretations of Koranic teaching. Even looks at an Obama speech that quotes the Koran... I wonder if anyone told him the next line after the one he quoted? Basically he quoted a line of love thy neighbor... but the very next line is if HE is Muslim... Jews and Christians can suck a lemon.
I enjoyed this book very much. I was looking for a book that broke down the Koran in terms that I could understand. Although this book was written by Robert Spencer, who is not Muslim, it was quite interesting to hear his point of view. I suggest anyone who reads this book should intend to read a book on the same subject matter written from the perspective of a Muslim author.
This book did little to answer the main questionI had on whether or not the Koran commands Muslims to kill all infidels. The author does not come off as a non biased source for answering such a question. To his credit he does quote the Koran hundreds of time and even gives the chapter and verse, but in the end, very few of my questions were truly answered to my satisfaction.
I agree with many other reviewers on here that this book contains a lot of interesting and well researched information and is a good introduction to the Koran for the uninitiated, but that it is also extremly biased. If you read this try to get some alterantive opinions as well to hear the arguments from the other side as well before you form your own opinion.
Unlike many readers of this book, I have read the Koran. I did so some time after 9-11; I have first-hand knowledge of many of the things that Mr. Spencer points out. He does so very clearly and concisely providing examples both of the clear language of the Koran and apologists' spin-doctored versions of the verses.
Jul 28, 2011
Dovofthegalilee
added it
This is a very thorough book that refutes Islam with Islam and done so with scholarship and respect to its adherents. It's scholarly but not dry and a copy of the Koran on hand would be most recommended in conjunction.
Pretty interesting, light-hearted study of the Koran for Western readers, mostly underscoring the differences. I learned a lot about Islam I didn't know.
The author has a slightly slanted viewpoint of Muslims in today's world, but this book was very listenable and explained the history of Islam very well.
Made me want to read the Koran. But, also made it seem impossible to read. Doesn't sound like it is the book of peace that I thought it was.
Some facets of this religion are incompatible with our form of government. The Mormons were willing to give up polygamy to live as Americans. Are Muslims willing to give up enough to live in peace with us?
Didn't finish, I guess I wasn't that interested in the Koran after all. Wasn't bad, but I just lost interest due to all the other juicy books I have waiting to read.
This was a very interesting book....scary but interesting!
I felt this book was both true and biased at the same time.
I did learn a lot about the contents of the Koran and though he said that he read the Koran so you wouldn't have to read this book just made me want to read the Koran so that I could really see what is written in it myself. He gives some viable comments and queries, sometimes I feel like I need a second opinion. It was an interesting read.
I did learn a lot about the contents of the Koran and though he said that he read the Koran so you wouldn't have to read this book just made me want to read the Koran so that I could really see what is written in it myself. He gives some viable comments and queries, sometimes I feel like I need a second opinion. It was an interesting read.
A very heavily anti-Islam slant. Interesting, but I would question the objectivity.
An eye opener to be sure
speaking as an "infidel" i thought it was a really balanced view of the Koran. Worth the time for sure
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Robert Bruce Spencer is an American author and blogger best known for critiques of Islam and research into Islamic terrorism and jihad. He has published ten books, including two New York Times bestsellers, and is a regular contributor to David Horowitz's FrontPage Magazine. In 2003 he founded Jihad Watch, a blog which aims to bring public attention to what it describes as "the concerted effort by...more
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