Islamism: A Documentary and Reference Guide(Documentary and Reference Guides)

The past thirty years have witnessed the rise of political parties and other formal groups in the Middle East and elsewhere with Islamic agendas, a phenomenon that has both surprised and frightened many in the West. Events from the Iranian Revolution of 1978-79 to the attacks of September 11, 2001, have led some to conclude that the United States is on a collision course with Islam, the religion of one-fifth of the world's population. The sourcebook aims to enhance our understanding of the Islamist phenomenon by presenting some forty documents, written by Islamists themselves, which shed light on the origins, goals, and practices of Islamic-focused groups and movements throughout the Muslim world. Each document is identified and analyzed as to its significance. The documentary section of the work is followed by an extensive bibliography and reference guide of relevant print and electronic resources.

About the Author :
John Calvert is Associate Professor of History at Creighton University. He is the translator and editor of an English translation of Sayyid Qutb, A Child from the Village, the editor of a special issue of Historical Reflections on Islam and Modernity and the translator of several entries in Terrorism: A Documentary and Reference Guide (Greenwood, 2005), among other works.

Review :
"The religion of Islam represents about one-fifth of the world's population and many people have been seeking knowledge and information about the practices of this faith. This reference book provides the unique insight that comes from the writings of the followers of this faith themselves. A thorough bibliography and index as well as a preface and introduction help the reader get the most from this book. This timely book would be an especially good addition to the public or academic library."-Library Media Connection "This resource presents an alternative view of burgeoning Islamist movements as diverse rather than homogeneous clones. The documents, many of which were translated especially for this book, shed light on topics such as women and family in Islamist discourses, the Iranian Revolution, and global jihad....this volume provides much-needed primary source material and analysis for those studying the topic. Recommended."-Choice "This highly useful volume gives the reader opportunity to learn about and evaluate Islamism through the words of its proponents. The 41 selections, organized in nin sections, range from the roots of Islamism to its recent manifestations....A biographical and historical commentary, with suggestions for further reading, accompanies each document. Calvert's introduction and commentaries are not only informative but also presented in a clear, straightforward manner that avoids judgemental shading. He has succeeded admirably in letting the documents speak for themselves, a major contribution on the subject."-MultiCultural Review "This pair of documentary guides brings together selected primary source materials on two complementary topics....both of these titles are recommended for libraries serving advance high-school and undergraduate college researchers. (Reviewed with The Patriot Act)."-Booklist "Among the key writers represented in Calvert's valuable work are Sayyid Qutb, Ayatollah Khomeini, Mahmud Ahmadine-jad, Usama bin Laden, Ayman al-Zawahiri, and Abu Mu'sab al-Zarqawi....its objective analysis is essential to an understanding of one of the world's most influential movements."-School Library Journal