Rating: 
Summary: Beginner's Guide to Understanding Islam
Review: Author John Esposito is a professor of Religion and International Affairs at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. He has written books about the subject of Islam before, and he writes this one with a keen sense of education in mind. Most people know very little about the religion known as Islam, and Esposito seems like he is on a mission, in this book, to help enlighten the world's people about the facts and myths regarding the world's second largest religion. I think it's safe to say that most people know very little about Islam. Until I read this book, I didn't really know much either. I knew some of the most basic things, like that the Quran was the holy book of Islam; the prayers that Muslims say each day; and a few other things. But my knowledge level ended right there. When I picked up this book, I began to learn things that I had never heard of before. Probably the greatest surprise was the fact that the Islamic religion regards Jesus Christ and Abraham as the second and third most important men to ever walk the face of the earth (after, of course, Muhammad). The next surprise was when I discovered that Islam teaches that the virgin birth of Jesus was real, and the Quran makes mention of Jesus and Mary even more frequently than the Christian Bible. Other facts were noteworthy, but not as shocking, like the fact that the Quran allows a man to have as many as four wives provided that he will treat them equally and support them. The issue of the day with Islam is whether or not its religious creeds are conducive to violence. There is a full chapter in this book that attempts to answer this question. According to the Quran, violence is acceptable in certain situations, like when a man's family and/or faith might be threatened. Here lies the problem with interpretation. To a more radical member of the faith, this means that any threat at all to one's faith is deserving of retaliation (and that could include almost anything). But to a more moderate Muslim, this is interpreted to mean that only self- defense is permissible. Esposito keeps this book on a factual level. There is no analysis or any open debate of the issues. Esposito wrote this book as a way to educate the world's people about the religion of Islam- what the Quran says, what Islamic tradition allows, what customs and cultural norms dictate, etc. There is no arguing on the part of Esposito. He just tells you what is known to be true and leaves it at that. In the aftermath of the attacks on September 11, 2001, Islam has taken center stage in the world debate over religion and violence. Many people have taken sides in the debate, labeling Muslims as purveyors of hate and violence. But the truth is, very little is really known about Islam by the worlds non- Muslim population. Esposito's book attempts to change all of that, with a simple to read, question and answer type format. It makes a good beginner's book on the subject of Islam, with lots of facts about the second most common religion in the world, after Christianity.
Rating: 
Summary: One-sided distortion
Review: Esposito gives a one-sided distortion of Islam in an attempt to whitewash the religion and its history. For example, he mentions Mohammad's polygamy as an act of kindness - by marriage, Mohammad "protected widows". Notice the absence of context. He fails to mention that after Mohammad slaughtered all the men of a Jewish clan in front of their wives and children, he took one of the widows for a wife. Such a lie by omission totally distorts the picture. On the issue of religious toleration, he quotes the Koran's message to respect "people of the book" - Muslims, Christians and Jews. What he does not point out is that this passage was from the early Meccan period when Mohammad was trying to establish toleration for his new religion before he rose to power. After he achieved power in Medina his words and actions are horrific - he slaughtered two of the three Jewish clans and merely expelled the third. Put this in context with what Esposito calls the "living Koran" embodied by Mohammad's actual life. What must we think? Also, notice how no mention is made of atheists (i.e. pagans) and Hindus. Here the Koran is clear - atheists must convert to a "religion of the book" or be killed. Esposito has been the head of academic organizations - his one-sided portrait will undermine the public's confidence in the Mid-East studies of today's universities. It will harm Islam, as readers will become suspect of any positive claim about Islam. Fortunately, there are authors who present a more accurate picture. I recommend books by Bernard Lewis, Daniel Pipes, Ibn Warraq, and Serge Trifkovic.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Introductory Text
Review: Esposito is one of my favourite authors of general books on Islam. This book is probably the ideal starter text for those new to learning about the religion. "What Everyone Needs to Know About Islam" is a wonderful starter text. It is written in the format of questions-and-answers. The book is excellently organised with a complete index, as well as a simple glossary. The questions asked (and answered) are importantly and relevant. Using this method, Esposito both introduces the readers to the termonology but also the scriptures, history, culture(s) and beliefs. The book gets four stars because -- like others have said -- Esposito tends to glaze over a lot of negative aspects that are commonly critised instead of responding to it. However, I feel this is for brevity and not as necessary in this text as it would be in another introductory book.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Introductory Text
Review: Esposito is one of my favourite authors of general books on Islam. This book is probably the ideal starter text for those new to learning about the religion. "What Everyone Needs to Know About Islam" is a wonderful starter text. It is written in the format of questions-and-answers. The book is excellently organised with a complete index, as well as a simple glossary. The questions asked (and answered) are importantly and relevant. Using this method, Esposito both introduces the readers to the termonology but also the scriptures, history, culture(s) and beliefs. The book gets four stars because -- like others have said -- Esposito tends to glaze over a lot of negative aspects that are commonly critised instead of responding to it. However, I feel this is for brevity and not as necessary in this text as it would be in another introductory book.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Introductory Text
Review: Esposito is one of my favourite authors of general books on Islam. This book is probably the ideal starter text for those new to learning about the religion. "What Everyone Needs to Know About Islam" is a wonderful starter text. It is written in the format of questions-and-answers. The book is excellently organised with a complete index, as well as a simple glossary. The questions asked (and answered) are importantly and relevant. Using this method, Esposito both introduces the readers to the termonology but also the scriptures, history, culture(s) and beliefs. The book gets four stars because -- like others have said -- Esposito tends to glaze over a lot of negative aspects that are commonly critised instead of responding to it. However, I feel this is for brevity and not as necessary in this text as it would be in another introductory book.
Rating: 
Summary: Esposito on Islam
Review: Faith and Practice, the first chapter of the book is an excellent introduction to the history of Islam, the Quran and Mohammad for people with little background in such issues. Esposito does a fine job of explaining the Five Pillars of Islam and noting the differences and similarities between the Quran and Jewish and Christian tradition. In all, I found this chapter to be honest and engaging.
However, when "hot" issues such as violence, terrorism, suicide bombing and the treatment of women are handled, Esposito seems unable or unwilling to level any criticism toward Muslims or their religion and this is not the honest interpretation one would expect. For instance, the author goes to great lengths to portray the veiling of women as both honorable and liberating, arguing that many Muslim women believe that such dress frees them from the judgments Western women face while wearing tight clothes and "dangerous", yes "dangerous", high heels. This may indeed be true for some Muslim women but Esposito fails to give consideration to those women who do find such requirements in dress and behavior restricting. Are we to believe that all women feel liberated by veiling?
This pattern holds true for Esposito's responses to other controversial issues such as terrorism and violence. Esposito spends multiple paragraphs referring to the Quranic tradition of peace and respect while ignoring the actual fact of terrorism and violence. During a discussion on suicide bombing (p.126), Esposito quotes a Palestinian fighter as remarking " The Israelis blow us up. Why shouldn't I go to Israel and take some of them with me?" The author gives no suggestion that this reasoning is flawed.
Similarly, Esposito explains the position of one Sheikh that killing Israeli civilians is justified as both men and women serve in Israel's military. If any elderly or children are killed in such acts, it is an "involuntary killing." Esposito fails to clarify exactly what an "involuntary killing" means to a Muslim, but it sounds decidedly like murder to me.
In a book ostensibly about Islam and not in defense of Islam, the author is often times openly critical of the West and Israel, yet rarely so unsympathetic to Islam or Muslims. Esposito takes great strides to explain extremist violence as a result of living in a rough neighborhood and political and cultural realities. Yet, he affords no such consideration to Israel. At one point, Esposito takes Israel to task for its use of advanced weaponry and helicopters, judging the Israeli capabilities and response to be disproportionate to suicide bombings. If Esposito gave the political realities facing Israel the same consideration he gave extremists he may well see a rationale for Israel maintaining a strong military. Surrounded by a multitude of hostile nations, it would seem logical for Israel to rely upon technology rather than manpower to defend itself, yet this logic apparently evades Esposito's mind, or at least his pen.
I was not looking for this book to vilify Islam, if you are after that there are plenty of sources available. What I expected was a balanced account of Islam, but unfortunately this is not it. I found the initial chapter very useful, but Esposito's discussion of controversial issues was evasive or perhaps worse, disingenuous.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Introduction
Review: For those who's knowledge of Islam is very limited, this book can answer many basic questions for you. Very straightforward indeed. But I suggest one should also read the Quran(yusuf ali translation only!) to get an even better understanding. Nonetheless, very well-written clear book. Also recommend; Idiot's guide to understanding Islam.
Rating:
Summary: Highly recommended for muslems and non-muslems....
Review: Highly recommended for Muslems and non-muslems who are interested to know how rational non-muslems judge islam. It is very rare to find a historian who dispalys the fact entirely without adding/removing. As usual, Esposito did his work in the best way. As a professor of religion, I think he did an extraordinary work for the sack of history and for those who want really to know something about Islam.
For the reviewer who wrote how Muhammed dealt with jews in Madina, Mohummed used to be very kind with everybody there; it has been reported that Muhammad visited his jewish neighbor, who used to deal with him in anomisty manner, when he heard that the old man got sick....This was his ethics(PBUH).
Briefly, jews in Al-Madina had a treaty with Muhammed in which they affirmed not to help and support Muhammad's enemy during his war. The reason behind that treaty was that Jews in Madina were living at its outlets and thery were familiar with how to approach the city through different ways......etc They, as usual, changed their words and supported Arabs at that time against him. Then, when Muhammad heard about that, he decided to expell them from Al-Madina. It is the first time to hear/read that Muhammad slughtered jewish or non-jewish during his entire life. His generious Manner of dealing with the capture has been reproted. His merciful manner when he entered Mecca after its inhibitants at that time hurt him and obligate him to leave it has been reproted. However, as usual, some jews try to play the role of the oppressed throughout the histry and if they did not find events for such oppression they do their best to fabricate them. I highly recommend, for my latter statement, The Founding Myths of Modern Israel by Roger Garaudy and Theodore J. Okeefe. Also, you can return to Grace Halsell books (Forcing God's Hand/Polictics and porphecy) to know how they change everything for their own benifts. I hope that nobody will understand from this comment that I am generalizing. There are many good jews who became good muslems and advocate islam. Also, there are many jews who are able to understand and fight for the sack of the truth and humanity.
Rating:
Summary: I learned a lot
Review: I came into this book knowing nothing about Islam other than the image potrayed on tv after reading this book I learned a lot about this interesting religion. It has allowed me to understand my muslim friends better.
Rating:
Summary: Scholarly Credibility in Question
Review: John Esposito is a life-long "scholar" of Islam and he was totally surprised by September 11, 2003. The man had no clue that militant Islamic terrorists would do exactly what the same militant Islamic terrorists had publicly announced they would do: kill. Prior to September 11, 2003 Esposito argued that those who were alarmed by acts of Islamic terror were "ill-informed" "over-reacting" and responding to a "culturally limited definition of democracy." How does this guy keep his job? In any event, he fails to mention in this book. as he always fails to mention, a passage in the Hadith known to every Muslim on the planet which states that "women are deficient in intellect." This is supposed to be a quote from Mohammed contained in what is regarded as the most reliable compendium of sayings of Mohammed, the Bukhari Hadith. Islam "honors" women by declaring them stupid, make no mistake about it. Esposito is at best deluded and at worst, disingenuous.
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