Customer Reviews
Serious and rather objective - By: , 14 Mar 2005 
Gilles Kepel is excellent. In this work he manages to scrutinize the both broad & complicated problem of political Islam without ever wandering off track. His view of islam appears to be neutral. He communicates the central problems of political islam, & more importantly, the central differences between the broad political movements & the violent extremesin an absolutely sober tone. I strongly recommend this book for serious students of the subject, i.e. university students or the like. This is not to be read as an introduction to the subject - its closer to being a conclusion.
Fantastic summary of political Islam - By: , 07 Oct 2002 
An excellent book offering the reader a deep insight into the world of political islam. At points the book can be slightly heavy going but only due to the detailed wealth of knowledge it delivers. If you are looking for a book for studing the Middle East or just to gain a real understanding of the region & the religion then this book is definately for you. I enjoyed it very much & despite having read extensively on the subject I learnt something new on every page. Well researched & a very informative writer Kepel, professor of the Institut d'Etudes Politiques & a CNRS luminary, adds an optimistic veiw. Even despite the inclusion of Osama bin Laden & the recent attacks he presents this as a last ditch attempt of a dying phenomenon. He claims the movement peakedin the 1970's & 80's & that we are entering an inevitable post-islamic era. This upbeat angle will please many of its US readers. Definately recommended
