A cosmic war is a religious war. It is a battle not between armies or nations, but between the forces of good and evil, a war in which God is belie...
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Oct 20, 2009
Bruce
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Aslan, an American citizen who is an Iranian by nationality, begins his book with a historical overview and an exploration of definitions, eg Jihadism vs Islamism, that show how loosely and inaccurately terms are bandied about in the media and most political discussions. He traces the processes of nationalism and globalization, showing their influences on political and religious movement and alignments over the past century and a half. And many of his observations can be usefully applied, eg,
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May 26, 2009
Catherine
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The "War on Terror" was, Aslan argues, an unwinnable war - a war that participants believed was being waged on a cosmic level as much as a planetary one; a war that was for eternity, not the here and now; a war that transformed the killing of innocents into an ethical act, since doing God's will was the only thing that mattered - concern for other people, even children, was irrelevant compared to serving God. Christian, Jew, or Muslim - certain members of each faith subscribed (subscr
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Aug 12, 2011
Arash
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Aslan has a wonderful ability to take a complicated subject that is so commonly misunderstood and misrepresented in present day media, and break it down to its more coherent pieces, while maintaining its integrity and providing thoughtful analysis. Aslan frames the current "Cosmic War" between Islam and the West within the context of today's failed War on Terror and a modern day version of the Christian crusades.
His writing is remarkably easy to follow and written with a contemporary More...
His writing is remarkably easy to follow and written with a contemporary More...
Jun 13, 2009
Bryan
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I saw Mr. Aslan at a book reading in Portland before I read this book. That was a mistake. This book was an excellent review of the fight groups like al-Qaeda are trying to make. It was also excellent in distinguishing the groups, like al-Qaeda, a global organization with no political goals save from war to bring about the end of the world, from groups like Hamas or the Taliban, which are largely nationalist groups with political agendas.
While Mr. Aslan does insert his domestic, p More...
While Mr. Aslan does insert his domestic, p More...
May 05, 2009
Daniel
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This was one fantastic read. I had a recent conversation with a close friend, where we talked about the modern-day dangers of religion, and how some of the harshest critics frame the issue unfairly. They choose to single-out religion as the main cause of terrorist acts such as 9/11, instead of looking at the situation from a sociopolitical standpoint. Granted, religion was involved, but it many other elements were at play.
Aslan's book takes this approach in attempts to rationalize More...
Aslan's book takes this approach in attempts to rationalize More...
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Jun 24, 2009
Jack
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Although principally billed as an analysis and commentary on the so-called 'War on Terror' (ie - against Islamic Jihadists), the book is actually a wider discussion on religion, identity and violence. Perhaps the concept that bests summarizes his thoughts is that of al-wala' wal-bara', which would roughly translate to "faith and infidelity"; a "us vs. them" paradigm. A battle between those who share the same beliefs, and those who do not. This is not purely a Islam and Chris
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Sep 15, 2011
Paul
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Clocking in at a brisk 175 pages (not counting citations and an index) the thesis of Reza Aslan's "How To Win a Cosmic War" can be boiled down to this: Until the United States stops framing the War on Terror in the same "good versus evil" terms as the violent jihadists we are fighting, we can never prevail. Thankfully, Aslan does flesh it out a bit more than that. Engaging in tone and quite readable, Aslan offers a condensed version of the history of mankind's "Cosmic
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May 01, 2010
Phil
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A Persian-American Muslim breaks down the simple dualistic thinking done by both sides in the "War on Terror." A lecture by Reza Aslan during my freshman year of college was the catalyst for my entry into Middle East Studies, and this book provides an excellent discussion of how the world really works. I also loved how Aslan had similar experiences to me in places from the West Bank to Cairo to Heathrow. At less than 200 pages, it is probably the first book anyone should read if the
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Jul 15, 2009
Mark
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Following the attacks of 9/11, anger eventually led to confusion about who it was and why it was that they hated America enough to commit such savagery. This book, written by an American Muslim from Iran, does an excellent, and I feel, balanced job of putting all of the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle, that is the Middle East, into place. The difference between Islamists and Jihadists is explained, while the similarities among all of the players, including nation-states and the three involved major
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Sep 09, 2009
Nicole
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This was exactly what I didn't realize I was looking for. A comprehensive study of Jihadism, the "war on terror" and what happens next. Aslan lays down several theories that were easy enough to buy into, but what I most appreciated was his description/comparison of radical Jihadism and American Evangelicalism. Fascinating.
An overall smooth read with the exception of the first chapter which lays out so many religious factions that its hard to keep them straight. This the More...
An overall smooth read with the exception of the first chapter which lays out so many religious factions that its hard to keep them straight. This the More...
Dec 30, 2009
maaria
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An honest, realistic account of how individuals pollute religion,gain a following and take horrific action in the name of ???? What I liked is there is a real approach to "fighting a war on terror", that is not to fight a war at all...
Reza speaks in a pretty unbiased tone (or as unbiased as you can get on a topic like this)to all audiences, yet still communicates his position, respectfully.
Amazing book and will reread!
Reza speaks in a pretty unbiased tone (or as unbiased as you can get on a topic like this)to all audiences, yet still communicates his position, respectfully.
Amazing book and will reread!
May 26, 2009
Gail
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Great analysis of how turning the 911 terrorist attack into a war against "good vs evil" put the US in what looked like a religious war, one noone can win. Reza Aslan analyzes Islam and the Judeo-Christian religions to show how we got to this point, where we have made mistakes in responding to the Jihadists and some suggestions for the future. The book is a critical analysis of violence committed in the name of religion.
Jun 19, 2009
GeekChick
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It kills me to give this book only two stars. Overall summary: It's good, but it's no "No God but God."
The purpose of this book is to explain several aspects of the "war on terror:" how we (Bush) played into the jihadists' hands; who exactly is attracted to Jihadism, why, and how; how Christianity engages in its own Cosmic War rhetoric; and so forth.
Aslan is a great writer. But honestly, this book would have been a little more timely a few years ago. More...
The purpose of this book is to explain several aspects of the "war on terror:" how we (Bush) played into the jihadists' hands; who exactly is attracted to Jihadism, why, and how; how Christianity engages in its own Cosmic War rhetoric; and so forth.
Aslan is a great writer. But honestly, this book would have been a little more timely a few years ago. More...
May 15, 2009
Caleb
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A fairly straightforward, common sense argument that the only way to win a cosmic war is to refuse to fight it. Aslan communicates this quite clearly, with plenty of examples and background on various cosmic conflicts involving the three big monotheistic religions, and color provided by his own travels and experience. I sure hope a lot of folks currently in government take the time to read this.
Jun 22, 2010
Kirsten
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An interesting look at Jihadism as a social/religious movement. There nationalist themes running through the book, with Alsan speaking to national and transnational religious movements and why these are different.
Aslan speaks of the current Global Jidah as a transnational religious movement because it is not bound by borders like most nationalist movements. H refers to it as a Cosmic war because those both sides involved in this war truly believe that God is on their side, making it More...
Aslan speaks of the current Global Jidah as a transnational religious movement because it is not bound by borders like most nationalist movements. H refers to it as a Cosmic war because those both sides involved in this war truly believe that God is on their side, making it More...
Nov 26, 2011
Ralph
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No time for a real review, as usual. Short Version: Informative and well-written. Not an academic treatise, but instead written for those who follow the news closely, but would like a little more insight. Invaluable for presenting important distinctions typically glossed over in standard news and feature coverage (especially the difference between Islamism and Jihadism).
Jul 15, 2009
Ben
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An fascinating read describing the history of Islam and Christianity and how these two religions tie into the War on Terror. Unfortunately while the book provides a fascinating look at the history of these religions drawing parallels to their respective histories with the conflict we see today, it falls short in spending more than a handful of pages actually describing and supporting how the author proposes to win a cosmic war.
Shortcomings aside, I found the book hard to put down. I More...
Shortcomings aside, I found the book hard to put down. I More...
Sep 16, 2009
Heather
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Aslan is brilliant as ever. Presents a new perspective on the "war on terror," and argues that the prevalent "good vs. evil" dualism is uninformed and inadequate. For anyone who is interested in learning more about the facts of jihad and Islam from a rational, intelligent source (who is himself Muslim).
Jul 08, 2009
Amr
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Reza Aslan digs deeper into history and gets to the roots of terrorism, religious violent movements, islamism. All to describe what is a cosmic war and figure out what's the best way to win it.
With his easy style in writing slowly and smoothly moving from one aspect to another and careful linking of different events that spans across hundreds of years. "How to Win a Cosmic War" is a recommended read.
With his easy style in writing slowly and smoothly moving from one aspect to another and careful linking of different events that spans across hundreds of years. "How to Win a Cosmic War" is a recommended read.
Aug 15, 2009
Dana
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One of the best things I have read in quite some time on how to defeat those in this world - be they Muslim, Christian Jew or whatever religion - who think that only they know the word of God and that all who disagree with them should be killed.
Its a sure bet, as it says in the book, that guns won't do the trick, since these extremists are only abetted by violence. Not by any means do we not defend ourselves from attacks, but as John Kerry pointed out 5 years ago, these people are criminal More...
Its a sure bet, as it says in the book, that guns won't do the trick, since these extremists are only abetted by violence. Not by any means do we not defend ourselves from attacks, but as John Kerry pointed out 5 years ago, these people are criminal More...
Aug 04, 2009
Mary Gail
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This is a terrific book that explains the growth of Islamicism and Jihadism in the Middle East and Asia, while also importantly differentiating between those two concepts. Points to what warrior fundamentalists -- Christians, Jews, Muslims have in common. A must read for Americans, I think.
Sep 02, 2011
Vincent A.
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This was a great read. I really like the parallels drawn between the big three religions and how they all have a branch of fanatical followers capable of horrendous acts. I agree with the book's premise of rather than fighting the Jihadists on their grounds, (good vs evil), we need to confront the problems that lead many down the the Jihad path.
Sep 21, 2010
Hannah
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I went to get a quick cup of coffee with the intention of reading the first chapter of this book while I was drinking. Two and a half hours later, the book was finished and my coffee wasn't. How to Win a Cosmic War is an eloquent, informative, and captivating read.
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Dec 04, 2009
Michael
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This is a fabulous book about the nature and history of Islam, especially its recent radicalisation, and how the West would best relate to it (NOT by military power or war!), written by a very articulate and accessible Iranian-American.
Nov 17, 2010
Ryan
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A great overview of radicalism in religion. Gives a perspective on the war of terror and what it means between hardcore Christians and Muslims. I found it to be objective and informative. Give it a chance if you are looking to learn the ideology battles in the war on terror.
Jun 25, 2011
Michael
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Comes off as a very long way of saying jihad is bad. While Reza Aslan makes good points about the twisting of Islam to fit many terrorist group's interpretation of the religion to incite hate, he in a sense tries to justify the violence by saying we're just as bad. While that may be true, it won't win him any followers with that kind of thinking.
Sep 05, 2009
Martin
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Very informative...very thought-provoking...certainly well-informed, researched, and...though not un-biased, certainly more even keeled than almost any other literature about Jihadism and the "War on Terror".
Aug 01, 2009
Ernie
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This book really gave me the insight I needed to understand the state of "stateness" or not in the world. I hope it is on the reading list for every government and politics syllabus in every university.
Sep 17, 2011
Michelle
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A great book which describes the dangers of religious extremeism and violence. Recommended for anyone who wants a greater understanding about how a religous war can never be won.
Apr 20, 2009
Civic participation really does combat fundamentalism. The Bush administration screwed it up, but the idea was actually correct. I LOVE THIS GUY. Cute too. From The Daily Show
