In English it takes two words to say “law†and “religion†and those two words carry two different bundles of meaning. In Arabic and Turkish; traditionally one word; din; meant both. Splitting or uniting the ideas and assumptions behind those words makes an enormous difference in the way society functions. But were Christianity and Islam really that different from their beginnings? Have they changed over time? Are they more like or unlike each other today? Can they coexist in peace or must conflict and violence continue? And is violence or terrorism required; or can it be reformed away? The ways in which Christianity and Islam each began starts answering these questions; and obscure historical events like the Papal Revolution and the Mihna help too. The unconscious assumptions of the modern West as it invaded the Middle East both militarily and culturally provide answers as well; and so do the differing reactions within Islamic societies. Looking at these divergent historical paths helps expose the hidden assumptions causing Christians and Muslims to misunderstand each other today. This is not an easy book to read. Given the subject matter; it can’t be. Hopefully it will reward the reader with insights into today’s issues. More than that; it should bring hope as we meet many Muslims working to correct what they see as wrong interpretations of Islam and to reform Islam.
2016-12-08 9.00 x .36 x 6.00l; #File Name: 1520100140144 pages
Review
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Enlightening Despite Being InaccurateBy BeauThis is a fascinating book; not because the basic assertions of the author and Ms. Carroll are correct; but because those claims can be so easily discredited and yet still retain the ability to motivate people to action. To this day; there remains a core of loyal Anna Ella Carroll advocates who wish to give her a larger role in history than she actually deserves.The most fundamental assertion of this book is that Anna Ella Carroll was the author of the Union strategy to push down the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers instead of focusing on the Mississippi as originally outlined in Scott's "Anaconda Plan". How she researched the problems associated with Scott's plan and then arrived at her independent recommendation makes for fascinating reading. Her personal initiative and military insight are both commendable. The claim that her gender was an unwarranted and possibly the deciding reason for her exclusion from the highest level of government policy making need not be debated. Nonetheless; her claim of authorship of the strategy is undercut in her own account of its genesis. Her own timetable ignores the fact that U.S. Grant had already seized the key to the puzzle; Paducah; Kentucky in September of 1861. It also ignores the fact that the only reason this had not been held earlier was that to do so would have alienated Kentuckian to the point of session. The very day that the south seized Columbus on the Mississippi; Grant moved on Paducah. It's been a while since I read this book; but I believe her memo was sent in January of '62.My advice is to read this book not to become a support of Mr. Carroll's inflated claims; but to gain insight into how someone of her social standing had so much influence on public opinion and public policy. Her contributions to the concept of presidential war powers make her historically important. This book led me far deeper into my study of the Civil War than I ever intended to go. For that reason alone; I heartily recommend it.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Truth like justice delayed is truth and justice deniedBy Frank HatchHistory of the greatest conflict waged by the United States that cost the lives of 600;000 men and women plus hundreds of thousands of people injured along with the loss of thousands of civilians was brought to a conclusion by the success of the Northern States due to the contributions of highly dedicated and intelligent woman who has gone unheralded and unpaid for her unselfish contributions to the Northern States cause. MAY TRUTH AND JUSTICE PREVAIL AT LAST. AMEN1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Well doneBy Charlie CExcellent the information is amazing and gives a new twist to the historical record
