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Rating: 
Summary: Myths and Realities of Islam
Review: Christine Huda Hodge, who is apparently a convert to Islam, gives an apologetic interpretation of the Islamic faith that often fails to reflect historic reality and the challenges and opportunities of this major religion. If one needs convincing on this point, consider the following examples: 1) Hodge states on pg. 29 that, in modern times, the discovery of oil has turned the Arabian Peninsula into a very developed region. Unfortunately, most countries in the Arabian Peninsula still have a sub-optimal economic performance compared to the most developed regions of the world, to say nothing of politics. 2) Hodge writes on pg. 185 that to many in the West, jihad is associated with such images as hordes of Muslim armies offering the conquered nations Islam or the sword. For example, conquering Islamic armies in France were not being tourists or peacefully converting locals to Islam before Christian King Charles Martel and his Frankish army routed them at the decisive battle of Tours-Poitiers in 732. 3) Hodge states on pg. 192 that Muslim leaders and individuals all over the world express condemnation and outrage when innocent people are the victims of acts of terrorism. Unfortunately, many moderate Muslims do not speak out often enough or loud enough to condemn terrorism in unequivocal terms. All too often, extremists dominate the stage. 4) Hodge writes on pg. 194 that all over the world, women are engaged in a constant struggle for their God-given status and rights. Unfortunately, most Muslim women still have a subordinate status compared to women in the most developed regions of the world. Islam, one of the most influential faiths that has ever existed, deserves a much better coverage than this apologetic and biased representation of this major religion and its practitioners. The Everything Understanding Islam Book renders a big disservice to an honest interfaith dialogue that is more necessary than ever.
Rating: 
Summary: One of the best introductory books about Islam
Review: Excellent! I have long been looking for an easy to read, yet comprehensive, book about Islam, and this one is it. The author does a good job of covering the basic beliefs and practices of Muslims, yet she also delves into the more complex issues with such refreshing ease, rendering even the complex quite accessible. The author also hosts an online community at[the website]. The book's layout is pleasing to the eye and is a good guide through the material.
Highly recommended for casual readers, for students, and those interested in a thoughtful discussion. Table of Contents:
1) The Vision of Islam
2) The Diverse Muslim World
3) Origins in Arabia
4) Muhammad the Prophet
5) Expansion of Islamic Civilization
6) Six Articles of Faith
7) The Five Pillars of Practice
8) Islamic Prayer
9) Islamic Guidance and Law
10) Historical Divisions and Deviations
11) Islam and other Faiths
12) The Muslim Perception of Jesus
13) The Muslim view of creation
14) Heaven and Hell
15) Islamic Manners and Morals
16) Dietary Laws, Health Care, and Funeral Services 17) Jihad: The Holy Struggle
18) Shrouded in Mystery: Women and Islam
19) Islamic Married Life
20) Raising Muslim Children
21) The Extended Muslim Family
22) The Islamic Arts
23) A Faith of Exploration and Discovery
24) Islam and the West
Rating:
Summary: A Very Accessible Introduction to Islam the Religion
Review: I actually wanted to pick up a book on the history of Islam in order to refresh my memory, but after a little thought, considering the breadth of the subject matter, I chose this book instead.
I consider myself fortunate that I did choose this book. The author delivers everything stated in the title, plus gives the reader a little of the early history of Islam and some brief but concise and very relevant information on the major divisions of Islam today. From this book, I learned that not all Muslims share the same outlook or beliefs, much like Christians, and that deep philosophical and intellectual rifts exist within Islam. In essence, there are progressive and fundamentalist elements within the religion, just as there are in Christianity, and more important, there are sects possessing pseudo-Islamic elements, just as there are in Christianity. After reading this book, I actually came away thinking that both Islam and Christianity are more similar than different, with respect to the fact that the power structures in both are male-dominated and male interpreted, and also that although the religions both have benevolent overtones, their most zealous adherents clearly display malevolent tendencies.
Anyone, from kids to adults, can pick up this book and learn something. The book introduces a lot of terms, most likely in Arabic (romanized of course), but without a phonetic sounding of them I am afraid that I may be butchering the pronunciation of the terms when I say them in conversations with friends about Islam. My only real complaint with the text is that it does not give the reader much of the history of Islam, but then no book can provide one with a whole history of a world religion in a mere 250 pages.
The text is an excellent, non-partisan introduction to a world religion counting more than a billion followers. I heartily recommend it to those looking to learn more about Islam- its belief and its practices, but for those of you looking for books focusing on Islam in either a historical or geopolitical context, you will find this basic text unsatisfactory for your needs. I suggest you read something like Jihad vs. McWorld, or some other text along those lines such as the works of the late Edward Said.
Given the current world situation we all face today, this book should be required reading for everyone.
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