This book is such a simplistic representation of our current situation in the world re: the so called clash of civilizations/war on terror, that it moves me to offer my first ever review of anything. This book is little more than a diatribe against America, Christianity, Judaism, and the Bush administration, and a positive representation of the so called promise of hope and change of the Obama administration, and Islam. In other words, it's incredibly slanted but not very well disguised in it's intent. I would like to believe that someone as smart as the author would be able to present a more cleverly disguised polemic. Nevertheless, this book is a huge waste of time for serious thinking people, (other than as a look at popular skewed opinion), but it's a good read for those inclined to accept multiculturalism, especially the Islamic version.

I had high hopes for this book but also admittedly some suspicions as I hadn't found Aslan particularly coherent in interviews (e.g., others may remember Jon Stewart struggling to understand the book's main message).

I find the book full of empirical problems and illogic, but the main issue that arises again and again is that the big ideas Aslan sees as acting on the world (e.g., Jihadism, Islamism, and above all, Cosmic War) are never defined in a rigorous enough way such that one can say, "because this is X and this is not X, this will likely lead to Y whereas this likely won't . . ." For example, the core thesis of the book, such as it is, is that the only way to win a cosmic war is to avoid fighting one. But Aslan unwittingly offers countervailing evidence against the thesis that you can't win a cosmic war on p. 85 when he's talking about how America has made ALL of its wars into cosmic wars (neglecting to point out that it has typically WON those wars). Perhaps it will be objected that a few stray quotes from Wilson or Roosevelt does not a cosmic war make, but then we're back to the original question of what on earth makes the war on terror recognizable as a cosmic war . . . a few stray quotes from Boykin and Robertson?

As for the writing, I'm merely a social scientist, but if I may return the favor and depart from my day job a bit, I felt the writing was at times at best a little "rushed" . . . my favorite bit on p.125 was as follows:

"I arrived at Heathrow at the crack of dawn, the fog in my mind as thick and turbid as the fog that unfurled on the tarmac as we hit the runway . . . "

One positive of the book is a good readable (though unoriginal) history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in particular, but when Aslan branches into more original attempts to get inside, e.g., Bin Laden's head without having done any primary research outside of airports, tourist sites and pubs it's ultimately just kind of a disaster . . . i.e., Bin Laden may say he cares about Palestine, and he may have had a Palestinian nationalist mentor, but because Aslan defines him as a "Jihadist" rather than an "Islamist" it's already established by definitional fiat that this just can't be true . . .

So, just not persuasive to me but apparently some folks like it . . .

Mr. Aslan writes well, and there is no doubt that this book is an easy read. I had enjoyed his earlier book and thought this would be a repeat. But I am disappointed with this book. I did not find it very insightful or original. He jumps from topic to topic, some with no relation to what he wants to say. And even where the book claims new insight it is really repeating arguments made by others, which Mr. Aslan does not acknowledge. I agree with Mr. Aslan's position, but he presents no original ideas in this book--not even in Bush-bashing.

Reza Aslan's Sophomore effort shows no sign of fading. This book helps give the reader a broader understanding of both the segmentation and context of various militant groups, both Muslim and non-Muslim. He helps the reader better understand the mindset of jihadists, and helps destroy tired stereotypes and misgroupings.

You won't find jingoism here, nor will you find America bashing. I don't feel he gives Israel a fair shake, but that is a minor quibble. Overall a fantastic and illuminating book.

A very thoughtful analysis on the rhetoric behind the war on terror. Shows how the actions and words of the previous administration has only fueled the fundamentalist movement. Some good suggestions on how to make the situation better.

A cosmic war is a religious war, between the forces of good and evil. The U.s., by infusing the War on Terror with its own religiously polarizing rhetoric, is fighting a cosmic war that can't be won, per Aslan. (On the other hand, I think President Bush did as much as he could to distinguish between fighting Muslims in general, and terrorists who happen to be Muslims. On the other hand, I agree with Aslan that the U.S. needs to stop its decades-old blatant bias towards Israel and against the Palestinians.)

Jihadism does not reject modernity, but it does reject Westernism. (I'm still waiting to learn about leading modern-day Muslim research centers.) It is common to point the finger of blame for the radicalization of Muslim youth on mosques and madrases, but that ignores the impact of satellite TV and the Internet says the author - forgetting that the Muslims most known about (Afghanistan and western Pakistan) have shut out TV and the Internet. It's also difficult to become impressed by the intensity of the hatred between Shiite and Sunni Muslims. Europe large got beyond that centuries ago.

Aslan then goes on to impress himself relating how some locals pushed the Taliban out during elections in Pakistan; would be interesting to learn how he explains away the religious revocation of Iran's recent election. Then he takes up the case for Islamic immigrants lacking skills and wanting to import their barbaric Sharia code of justice into Europe, while loading down its welfare system - now that's an argument that can't be won!

On and on goes the author - splitting hairs, rejecting reality, and boring readers beyond belief. Stated simply, overall Aslan is an convoluted apologist for Islamic terrorists.

This is one of the most important books I have read in recent years. Aslan completely decimates our current approach to fighting terrorism -- going so far as to redirect the very definition of who we are up against. It is a very readable primer on how we've gotten into the situation we are currently in and how to get out of it. It's simplicity is genius. To top it off, Aslan provides a glossary of terms with the best entry: Islamofascism - "this means absolutely nothing." It's that kind of cut through the rhetoric and head to the crux of the issue that you will find in this inciteful book. I recommend it for every lawmaker, foreign policy "expert", and citizen!