Rating: 
Summary: A Terribly Misleading Picture of Islam--Published Review
Review: Bernard Lewis' recent book is a doubtful representation of truth about Islam. I attach my review of the book, printed today (May 11, 2003 p. D9) in the Providence Journal. The full version below was slightly edited for length by the Journal.Best,
William O. Beeman
Director, Middle East Studies
Brown University Lewis, Bernard The Crisis of Islam. New York: The Modern Library, 2003. 184 pp. William O. Beeman If you are only going to read one book on Islam, don't let it be this one! Bernard Lewis was one of my gurus as a graduate student. As one of the editors of the venerable Cambridge History of Islam, the classic books, The Arabs in History, The Emergence of Modern Turkey and dozens of other essential works, he was an icon as a Middle Eastern historian. He held sway for many years at Princeton as the Cleveland E. Dodge Professor of Near Eastern Studies. Contemporary times and retirement have changed him. The sober, even-handed professor of my youth has been transformed in his recent work to a neoconservative toady, almost eager to corrupt his own considerable knowledge for ideological purposes. In this, and his earlier book, What went wrong? : Western Impact and Middle Eastern Response, he now spouts invective and misinformation about the Islamic world that is pleasing to his new best friends--Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, Paul Wolfowitz and Richard Perle--but which will be deeply misleading to a public desperate for accurate information about Islamic civilization and history. This slim volume--barely 185 pages in large type--is clearly designed to be a troton for a public wanting a quick and superficial read on the Islamic world. Yet there is barely anything about Islam or Islamic history in the book. The introduction frames the discussion of the whole Islamic world in terms of the illegitimate fatwa issued by Osama [Usama in Lewis' transliteration] bin Laden in 1998 calling for a "Jihad against the Jews and the Crusaders." This is akin to using Mein Kampf to frame a discussion of Christianity. It prejudices the discussion immediately. His next framing is based on an offhand, out-of-context quote by Iranian revolutionary leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini: "Islam is politics or it is nothing." He then constructs an entire chapter titled "Defining Islam" on the premise that Islam as a religion is governed primarily by political rather than religious, ethical or moral concerns. The fact that Khomeini's philosophy of Islamic government is rejected by every serious Islamic scholar, including most Shi'a clerics does not trouble Lewis. It troubles me, however, because I know that the erudite and learned Lewis is aware of the specious nature of this argument, and is using it on purpose to mislead his readers. More disturbing still is Lewis' discussion of the term jihad. Middle East scholars have pointed out incessantly that this word means struggle rather than the vulgar holy war,and has as many positive, peaceful connotations as violent ones. This does not prevent Lewis, a consummate Arabist, from taking a whole chapter to overwhelm the reader with the negative, hostile readings of this term. Lewis is not beneath bending of the colonial history of the Middle East that he documented so well in his earlier writings. According to Lewis, British and French occupation and economic exploitation of the region for more than 150 years may have had some negative consequences, but the European presence was basically beneficial because it brought modernization to the region. His account of the period between World War I and World War II makes it seem like the British and French were doing the people of the region a favor and then they just went home when their job was done. He writes:
. . . the newly acquired territories were not simply annexed, in the traditional style, as colonies or dependencies. They were assigned to Britain and France to administer as mandatory powers, under the authority of the League of Nations, with the explicit task of grooming them for independence. This a was a very brief episode, beginning after World War I, and ending after World War II, and then the mandates were terminated and the mandated territories became independent.(p. 57)
The truth of this matter is that the British and French carved up the defeated Ottoman Empire for their own economic purposes. In the most egregious case, the British rewarded themselves and the Sharif of Mecca for his help in World War I with the kingdoms of Iraq and Jordan for his sons. The European armies then occupied these former Ottoman territories until they were kicked out in a series of bloody revolutions after World War II. The shameful history of the Palestinian mandate is also part of this legacy. Lewis also dismisses the role of the C.I.A. in the coup that toppled Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadeq in 1953 in favor of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. His version of Mossadeq's removal is that the Iranians genuinely wanted the Shah to return, and the C.I.A. involvement was of no consequence. The furious Iranians chanting "Death to America!" during the Revolution of 1978-79 clearly had a different opinion. Finally, Lewis manages the most despicable calumny of all: the equation of the Arab world with the Nazi movement. He begins his extended discussion of this topic thus: "The Nazi version of German ideologies was influential in nationalist circles, notably among the founders and followers of the Ba'ath Party in Syria and Iraq." With this characterization in hand, what better reason could there be for the United States to invade this axis of evil? Lewis now shows up at every White House occasion involving the Middle East. He appears as an eminence grise to legitimate the most outrageous neoconservative attacks on the Islamic world, like the conference at the American Enterprise Institute on May 6 in which he joined the participants calling for regime changein Iran. He is truly the Islamic specialist of the hour for this administration, but the public should not believe one word of what he is saying. If Islam is politics, or it is nothing,clearly Lewis proves that history can have the same character.
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William O. Beeman teaches anthropology at Brown University, where he is Director of Middle East Studies. He has written extensively on, and conducted research in the Middle East for more than 30 years.
Rating: 
Summary: Understanding Islam (and the West)
Review: For those who want to understand current relationships between Islam (and the Arab world in particular) and the West, particularly the USA, this short book could hardly be bettered. It is a lucid, very readable account that takes in the whole sweep of history from the time of Muhammad to the present day. It explains the very different 'mental models' that are dominant in the Islamic and Western worlds and works through the consequences of those differences and of the history of relationships between the worlds. It includes an analysis of the influence of Saudi Arabia (through Wahhabi teaching) on the growth of Muslim radicalism and a description of Al-Qaida and the rise of terrorism. Both are shown to be perversions of the tenets of moderate Islam, but both can be attractive to those who feel under threat.
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Summary: Very simplistic, naive view of the middle east
Review: Lewis attributes all of the animosity that the Islamic world has toward the US to this: jealousy and envy. Not only is that incorrect, but it is dangerous. He seems to have become caught up in the Republican praise that has been heeped upon him.
Rating:
Summary: A Brilliant Dense Gem of Explanatory Power
Review: This is the second book the distinguished Bernard Lewis has put out since 9-11. In the first -- "What Went Wrong" -- he sought to explain the failure of Middle Eastern societies to modernize and, as a result, how those societies responded towards the West, which had successfully modernized. While there is some overlap with the themes in the first book, in "The Crisis of Islam" Lewis focuses his attention on the dominant religion of the Middle East, and seeks to explain how history influences relevant modern themes in Islam. After defining the religion, and showing how much of the West's current problems with terrorism in the Middle East is a result of an ongoing war among competing visions in Islam, Lewis then gives a brief history of the term "jihad" and how the Islamic world has perceived the West (America, in particular). He also describes the roots of so-called Islamic "fundamentalism", explaining the success of Saudi Arabia's promotion of the Wahhabi sect, and its unfortunate consequences for Islam as a whole. Lewis also writes a wonderful essay on the double standards in the West - particularly in the U.S. government -- towards Muslim countries, arguing that it feeds into Arab and Muslim resentment towards the United States. That the champion of freedom and liberty has allied itself with many of the region's dictators and autocrats who persecute them strikes some in the Middle East as the deepest and most unforgivable hypocrisy. This is a short book, and can be read in an evening, but it has a surprising comprehensiveness in its 164 pages. Lewis's scholarship has been condensed down to a fine sharp point. He has a talent for focusing on what's important and ignoring the rest. The only caveat I give for my recommendation is that little in this book is new for those who have read much of Lewis' work.
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Summary: What Went Wrong?---With Lewis??
Review: Expanding on his provocative autobiography, "what went wrong", mr. lewis continues on the curious course of being the best self-marketing scholar in the bookstore. you see, mr lewis' background shows us that he's a turkish historian by profession who has intermediate knowledge of arabic (which would be the equivalant of studying the french revolution speaking only chinese) but has turned himself into the most understanding man in the market. wouldn't it be refreshing to actually hear what muslims have to say about their own history? maybe for once we should stop admiring our own rhetoric
Rating: 
Summary: A poignant reality
Review: 'The Crisis of Islam' is a poignant criticism of the realities faced by the lands of Islam. The Islamic civilization just a few centuries ago was threatening the existence of Europe; now appear as a tame hibernating mouse. The apparent clash of the two civilizations (west and Islam) has roots in centuries of mistrust and misunderstanding. Presently the west, have developed a matured approach with an outlook for the preservation of their security, freedom and economy. The people in the region of Islam eye the west with a level of mistrust, and a perception that the west final objective of occupation of their lands. This mistrust is not subdued by the West imperialism of region during the World Wars and unquestioned support for Israel; a state against which they suffered a humiliating defeat in the late 60's. The west to attain their outlook has created stooges with unsupported democracy or dictators, which fuels a further malice by the people. They see the rulers as shadow of the western rule creating an outright cry for and anti-west sentiments. Hence a vicious cycle has emerged to almost a revolt. What is wrong? The society faces significant ills democracy; lack of human rights abuses; lack of freedom of speech and expression, corruption. Can these ills cause the lack of development, the entire Middle East GDP equates to 1/4th of the GDP of Spain. China, Hong Kong, Singapore that suffers from similar social ills is more developed. The basic cause of the ills I feel is education and lack of focus. A country like Saudi Arabia with its immense wealth has not been able to create 1 university that is to the caliber of Harvard. What is wrong?. The interference of the west in their political systems their advocacy for democracy; equality and human rights. Agreed these are essential for a flourishing society; but they forget that their political system took centuries to develop the initial beginnings of which is traced to the French Revolution. In contrast the middle eastern countries have only 50 years understood the concept of nations. Historically the systems prevalent in the region were a very hierarchy approach; the people need to develop their own governing systems instead of being scolded by the west at every international forum. What is wrong?. Fanaticism and anti-west sentiments are resonance from the economic and literacy deprivation of the region. The few right wing groups are able to market their extremist views to the populace on a hope of a better system. Without true grass root development; I believe there will be minimal achievement in eradicating terrorism. For an employed man with hope of success will not pick up a gun to make a point. I thought this book was somewhat harsh but true to the spirit of 'Crisis of Islam'; I have read other writings from Bernard Lewis and find him to be a partial scholar in the region.
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Summary: The Crisis of Bernard Lewis-think
Review: It has become a big problem that Bernard Lewis has been christened the West's greatest teacher of Islam. Why? Because Lewis simply does not know what he is talking about beyond exoticizing the "mysterious" and "inscrutable" East. He cites that only 300+ books are translated per year by the Arab world. Where does he draw such statistics from? He certainly did not inquire with any Arabic language publishers. From only some preliminary research it can be established there are at least 1,000 English books translated into Arabic each and every year. Just computer, economics and business books alone comprise hundreds. The West's "greatest" teacher on the Middle East really needs to do a little research. Then again it must be convenient to tether together a bunch of old articles and lectures, and then have another best-seller on one's hands. The ol' Orientalist Lewis is the one laughing all the way to the bank as he disseminates faulty and exoticized research.
Read Esposito, Fromkin or Said for a better understanding of Islam and the Modern Middle East.
Rating:
Summary: Thorough And Thought-Provoking
Review: This review may differ somewhat from others that focus on the methods, perspective and research of the author, which is thorough and thought-provoking. This review focuses on the roots and causes and why their is such attention paid to this part of the world today. Bernard Lewis taps into what many of us in the West are unaware of. The eclecticism and the historical occurrences in the Muslim world since the time of Mohammed up until now. Different cultures must be respected for their own particular value systems. However, as most other areas of the world have made (and attempted to have made) inroads into women's issues, democratic reforms, education, and academic intellectualism, it is unfortunate that most of the Islamic world has been left behind. Not in a technological point of view, But moreso from a civilization perspective. Why the hatred towards the "infidel" West? Why do many young Muslims from Egypt to Pakistan blame the West in general and United States in particular for their difficulties, which all societies have? part of the reason is the flammable untruthful rhetoric spewed from the Mullahs at Mosques. The intertwining of radical fundamentalism, and the political. Preying upon impoverished youth, many of whom educated, aware of the wealth and economies of other nations, and realizing there own situation offers little (and realistically no) help. One of the concepts Lewis referred to was the "failure of modernity." On the intellectual front, to underscore the Islamic world's ignorance it was noted that the entire Arabic world translates only 330 books per year, which is the same number as the nation of Greece. Much different today, than a time when the Islamic world was at the forefront of human academic and intellectual progression. From an economic standpoint things do not look promising for the Islamic world. A large percentage of the population is currently under 15 years of age. As the population explodes this will cause more acute shortages of water. Continued migration to urban cities, inflation of poverty and suffering, an and education system that can't keep up with the rest of the world. Therefore, the current Islamic angst will continue as it has been. The question is, will this frustration be acted out upon us, or only reveal itself on the Arab street with chants, ephigy burnings, and self-flagellation. One billion people follow this religion. Lack of hope, self-induced failure culturally (Taliban, Wahhabism), politically, and economically, the fringe elements of the Islamic world will continue to be the basket case that it currently is. What they need to do, is look at themselves. This is where they'll find the roots to their problems.
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Summary: Simple, powerful story of Islamic politics
Review: Bernard Lewis has done a great job in telling the story of Islam and its modern problems. Centuries ago without a competitor civilization Islam did great job in saving the knowledge gained in Roman and Greek times. But after renaissance, enlightment Islam fell back. And since then Islam with its people struggles to cope. I don't think that with nihilism (doing everthing for the next world) Islam injects reluctance to muslims to join the integrated world system. The story is told in a simple yet powerful, descriptive style.
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Summary: A dark future awaits...
Review: ...The rejection of intellectualism in favor of fundamentalism has cast a cloud of ignorance over a once proud and advanced culture. Bernard Lewis traces that fundamentalist movement from its beginning to the present. The chilling last sentence brings it all to a sober focus: "If the [Muslim] fundamentalists are correct in their calculations and succeed in their war, then a dark future awaits the world, especially the part of it that embraces Islam." This book should be required reading for all who wish to understand the origin of that brand of insanity that hides behind the nobility of Islam and feeds its frenzy with unquestioned hatred of all that is "other." It is also very enlightening to learn that the basic tenets of Islam forbid the tools of the terrorist: suicide, poison [arrows], mass murder, killing the innocent bystander, torturing prisoners and the rest of their cruel arsenal. In short, he shows the nobility of Islam while revealing the flaws of its fundamentalists. A must read!
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