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The Complete Infidel's Guide to the Koran
The Koran: It may be the most controversial book in the world. Some see it as a paean to peace, others call it a violent mandate for worldwide Islamic supremacy.How can one book lead to such dramatically different conclusions? New York Times bestselling author Robert Spencer reveals the truth in The Complete Infidel's Guide to the Koran: not many Westerners know what's in ...more
Audio CD, 0 pages
Published
November 30th 2009
by Tantor Media Inc
(first published September 22nd 2009)
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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 Viol...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 Viol...more
view all 11 comments
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 havin...more
That is the statement of the century. It is very easy to determine if this author is telling the truth, and havin...more
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 a...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 id...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 id...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 t...more
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.
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?"
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 effor...more
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