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Amazon.co.uk Review
About 40 years ago popular opinion assumed that religion would become a weaker force and people would certainly become less zealous as the world became more modern and morals more relaxed. But the opposite has proven true, according to theologian and author Karen Armstrong (A History of God), who documents how fundamentalism has taken root and grown in many of the world's major religions, such as Christianity, Islam and Judaism. Even Buddhism, Sikhism, Hinduism and Confucianism have developed fundamentalist factions. Reacting to a technologically driven world with liberal Western values, fundamentalists have not only increased in numbers, they have become more desperate, claims Armstrong, who points to the Oklahoma City bombing, violent anti-abortion crusades, and the assassination of President Yitzak Rabin as evidence of dangerous extremes.
Yet she also acknowledges the irony of how fundamentalism and Western materialism seem to urge each other on to greater excesses. To "prevent an escalation of the conflict, we must try and understand the pain and perception of the other side," she pleads. With her gift for clear, engaging writing and her integrity as a thorough researcher, Armstrong delivers a powerful discussion of a globally heated issue. Part history lesson, part wake-up call, and mostly a plea for healing, Armstrong's writing continues to offer a religious mirror and a cultural vision. --Gail Hudson --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
‘The quality of this remarkable book lies as much in its detail as in its sweeping vision’
Daily Telegraph
‘Armstrong displays all her usual talents: she has an eye for colourful evidence, a wonderful gift for clarity of exposition and an unerring sense of pace and voice and narrative.’
Felipe Fernandez-Armesto, Literary Review
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
54 of 56 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I am reading this book with as much interest and excitement as any I have for some time. It is an absolute must for broad-minded and especially non-religious people who want to understand tha nature and history of modern Fundamentalism. What is quite remarakable is the way the author integrates religious history with both past and contemporary political, social and economic history.
After a remarkable introduction she concentrates on four 'case studies', namely Iran, Egypt, Judaism and the USA. Althouugh she has obviously a special interest in Shii Islam, each of her studies is dramatic in the things one learns from it.
The book is also a remarkable work of research and scholarship.
Each day, I open the newspaper, and there is something there that is more easily understood from this book.
In fact, I believe, one of most important History books of modern times.
After a remarkable introduction she concentrates on four 'case studies', namely Iran, Egypt, Judaism and the USA. Althouugh she has obviously a special interest in Shii Islam, each of her studies is dramatic in the things one learns from it.
The book is also a remarkable work of research and scholarship.
Each day, I open the newspaper, and there is something there that is more easily understood from this book.
In fact, I believe, one of most important History books of modern times.
41 of 44 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Once again Karen Armstrong has produced a work of amazing erudition by exploring one of the most salient political phenomenon of our era.She traces the roots of modern religious Fundamentalism in the different historical experiences of secular modernity by the three monotheistic faiths.She reveals the common strands which have shaped these fierce reactions against the hegemony of the secular.She pointedly shows how, what she calls "mythos",is masquerading as "logos"and eventually degenerates into Ideologies of hatred and exclusion. Her analysis of recent political events in the Middle East and in America is illuminating.This is the voice of reason showing sagacity and sympathetic understanding. It is truly a remarkable book which is likely to get a much wider readership outside the UK.It deserves to be translated both into Arabic and Hebrew.
22 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
THE BATTLE FOR GOD is the story of the rise of religious fundamentalism, especially among Christians, Muslims and Jews. The subject is now even more timely than when the book was first published five years ago.
Karen Armstrong shows that religious fundamentalism is a relatively recent phenomenon.Religious fundamentalists feel threatened by the modern advances which are favored by secularists. The secularists in turn feel threatened by the rigid views of the fundamentalists. It is more important than ever for these opposing groups to find some common meeting ground. After reading Armstrong's book, however, I do not feel optimistic about this possibility occurring anytime in the near future.
THE BATTLE FOR GOD is a well-researched study of a complex topic. One inescapable conclusion to draw from reading the book is that religious fundamentalism is deeply entrenched throughout the world and it is a major cause of much of the planet's present unrest.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
fascinating - though a little dated now
Karen Armstrong deals here with an important subject: the development and causes of fundamentalism in Islam, Judaism and Christianity, patiently taking the reader through a... Read more
Published 8 days ago by markr
Essential Reading
I endorse everything in the 5-star rated reviews already published - this book is one of the best I have ever read. Read more
Published on 5 Jan 2009 by Ukhuman1st
Superb review of a difficult subject
This book is excellent from start to finish. Karen Armstrong carefully and honestly describes the history of four regions of fundamentalism during the past two millenia:
-... Read more
-... Read more
Published on 30 May 2008 by Darren Simons
This book misses out a millenia of fanaticism
Karen Armstrong is again as thorough as ever in her research into the fanatical side of religion. She is able to show how and why some sects became so radicalise - from the rather... Read more
Published on 19 Mar 2008 by J. Duducu
A story for the sake of mercy
I love her effort. Armstrong always tries to find the stories behind events, and to stand in the shoes of all participants. Read more
Published on 14 Jan 2008 by Brian Griffith
Interesting but flawed
Karen Armstrong's book does a great job of introducing the main religions and the potential perils associated with fundamentalism. Read more
Published on 3 April 2007 by Scientia quarens Intellectum
Good Account of Fundamantalism, Short on Detail
The Battle for God is as balanced an account of the history of fundamentalism as I have read. Karen Armstrong traces the rise of fundamentalism in the three Abrahamic faiths. Read more
Published on 24 Jan 2007 by A. O. P. Akemu
An excellent book
I can not recommend this book highly enough. Karen Armstrong clearly knows her subject intimately and it is presented with superb clarity and a total absence of dogma. Read more
Published on 25 Aug 2006 by Niall Smith
Excellent
I found Karen Armstrong's book to be deeply involving and very moving in places. It has had a profound effect on my view of current events, even on my world view. Read more
Published on 17 July 2006 by S Fox
most remarkable work on religion
Karen writes in such a convincing way that it is very difficult for anyone not to be moved by it. The most beautiful aspect of her books is that she disects religion very... Read more
Published on 14 July 2006 by A. R. Jami
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