Conflicts and controversies at home and abroad have led Americans to focus on Islam more than ever before. In addition; more and more of their neighbors; colleagues; and friends are Muslims. While much has been written about contemporary American Islam and pioneering studies have appeared on Muslim slaves in the antebellum period; comparatively little is known about Islam in Victorian America. This biography of Alexander Russell Webb; one of the earliest American Muslims to achieve public renown; seeks to fill this gap.Webb was a central figure of American Islam during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. A native of the Hudson Valley; he was a journalist; editor; and civil servant. Raised a Presbyterian; Webb early on began to cultivate an interest in other religions and became particularly fascinated by Islam. While serving as U.S. consul to the Philippines in 1887; he took a greater interest in the faith and embraced it in 1888; one of the first Americans known to have done so. Within a few years; he began corresponding with important Muslims in India. Webb became an enthusiastic propagator of the faith; founding the first Islamic institution in the United States: the American Mission. He wrote numerous books intended to introduce Islam to Americans; started the first Islamic press in the United States; published a journal entitled The Moslem World; and served as the representative of Islam at the 1893 World's Parliament of Religions in Chicago. In 1901; he was appointed Honorary Turkish Consul General in New York and was invited to Turkey; where he received two Ottoman medals of merits.In this first-ever biography of Webb; Umar F. Abd-Allah examines Webb's life and uses it as a window through which to explore the early history of Islam in America. Except for his adopted faith; every aspect of Webb's life was; as Abd-Allah shows; quintessentially characteristic of his place and time. It was because he was so typically American that he was able to serve as Islam's ambassador to America (and vice versa). As America's Muslim community grows and becomes more visible; Webb's life and the virtues he championed - pluralism; liberalism; universal humanity; and a sense of civic and political responsibility - exemplify what it means to be an American Muslim.
#598530 in Books John Putnam Demos 2004-11-18Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 5.30 x 1.10 x 7.80l; 1.55 #File Name: 0195174836576 pagesEntertaining Satan Witchcraft and the Culture of Early New England
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. I love the subject matter-- witchcraft in 17th century New EnglandBy Khowes74I love the subject matter-- witchcraft in 17th century New England. The really good feature of this book is that the author gives accounts of smaller; lesser-known cases of "witchcraft" and accusations of witchcraft and doesn't focus on the Salem Witch Trials. That said; the writing style is rather dry. In spite of my interest in the topic; I found myself skimming large portions of the book because the author would take two pages to say something that could have been said in two paragraphs. Still; I appreciate the treatment of this social history of New England; and if you are at all interested in the beliefs and lives of 17th century colonial New Englanders; you should have this in your library.6 of 7 people found the following review helpful. Interesting Approach to understanding Witchcraft in Colonial New EnglandBy Rick MaloneyEntertaining Satan: Witchcraft and the Culture of Early New England by John Demos is a comprehensive study of the various influences surrounding witchcraft in the early American colonies. Diving the book into four sections: biography; psychology; sociology; and history; Demos uses “the four corners of one scholar’s compass†to provide a 360 degree perspective of early American witchcraft and culture (15). The primary focus of Demos’ research was on the social and psychological aspects of witchcraft; however; including sections on biography and history; the author delivers an inclusive representation of early New England society through the lens of witchcraft. I was especially intrigued by how exhaustive and extensive court documents were for those put on trial for witchcraft. In the preface; Demos states that he wanted to tell true stories about witchcraft putting individual men and women at the center-stage (xii).Part one examines the biographical nature of witches in seventeenth century New England. Using the examples of John Godfrey and Rachel Clinton; Demos organizes a considerable amount of historical records and court documents detailing the biographical characteristics of witches. Part two studies the psychology of those accused of witchcraft; those accusing others of being a witch; and examines the psychological structure of seventeenth century New England Puritan communities. The psychology of witchcraft is the strongest argument in the book. This was a new and thought-provoking analysis of the mass hysteria that flourished in New England over witches. A significant amount of research was done at the local level through archival documentation utilizing primary sources from court hearings and eyewitness accounts of those present during witchcraft accusations. Demos states very clearly that this information may not be complete; but provides enough primary and secondary evidence to substantiate his conclusions.Part three examines the sociology of witchcraft through the power of local gossip and Demos’ own interpretation of how the community viewed those charged of witchcraft. In part four; Demos traces witchcraft throughout history concluding that witchcraft was more prevalent than originally believed and not limited to just Salem; Massachusetts. Providing a few examples of witchcraft outside of Salem; Demos strengthens his argument showing that witchcraft accusations were not specific to Salem; but occurred elsewhere. The last section tightly concludes the biographical sketches with the psychological and social influences witchcraft had on communities facing the phenomenon of witchcraft.In Entertaining Satan; there is a substantial amount of psychological interpretation of what it was like living in colonial New England during the witchcraft hysteria. The objective of Entertaining Satan is to show that witchcraft was not as simple as accusing an individual of being a witch. The witchcraft phenomenon was a conglomeration of multiple issues converging together providing the perfect storm for mass hysteria. There are really no simple answers; yet Demos does a brilliant job of interconnecting each idea to achieve his thesis.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Clear presentation of info- psychoanalytic approachBy Debbie DavisNice delivery of pertinent content. Not 5 stars because of the (overly) psychoanalytical approach to the historiography.
