The 100th reader review of The History of Jihad From Muhammad to ISIS was posted at Amazon today. I’d send the reviewer a bottle of champagne, but somehow I don’t think he or she drinks:
1.0 out of 5 stars typical hate for a money maker title
By Amazon Customer on November 25, 2018nothing of historical fact just plain hate.
Ouch! A scathing review indeed, until one notices that this review does not carry the helpful notation “Verified Purchase.” Here are a few recent reviews from “Verified Purchase” readers, i.e., people who actually read the book:
5.0 out of 5 stars Everyone should read
By GARY J. on November 23, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition Verified PurchaseGood book
5.0 out of 5 stars Important read
By Lynn A Faulkner on November 22, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition Verified PurchaseThis book is a must read. Frightening but important that concerned citizens learn truth and not merely propaganda.
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read
By JPear on November 19, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition Verified PurchaseVery disturbing but powerful book. I’ll never see Islam the same again. Religion of peace? Not even close.
5.0 out of 5 stars This is a MUST READ BOOK
By Norman L. Biegner on November 10, 2018
Format: Hardcover Verified PurchaseThis the detailed history of the jihadists and their never ending goal of attaining World Peace.
Those who read the book think it is important. Those who haven’t read the book hate it. As we see every day today, there are some people who simply don’t wish to have their comfortable illusions disturbed by facts. Don’t be one of them. Read The History of Jihad From Muhammad to ISIS.
gravenimage says
100th review of The History of Jihad!
………………..
I just got the book last night and started reading it right away! Already very engaging–and alarming.
Wellington says
Got The History of Jihad this summer and finished it. As I wrote once before here at JW, sometimes after reading so many pages of Spencer’s work, I had to put it down and then do something pleasant, like take a run, a swim, drink some beer, listen to classical music, go out to dinner with my lovely wife, etc. because what Robert Spencer has in great detail chronicled is a religion so awful in both its theological blueprint and in its practice, and over many centuries no less, that it becomes depressing to read about—and even more depressing to think that this damn religion is still around with well over one billion followers who believe in this rot, never mind clueless dhimmis like the Prime Minister of the UK, the present pontifex maximus and the Prime Minister of Canada who defend this theological (and totalitarian) rubbish.
I detest Islam. I also detest all excuses for Islam, whether made by Muslims or non-Muslims. Time for a beer—and tonight as well some fine BBQ spare ribs. Ah yes, a “double haram” per Islam and thus it will be doubly enjoyable this evening.
James Lincoln says
Wellington,
I’m glad that you brought up the issue of having to take a break from the study of Islam.
I began a fairly in-depth study of Islam about three years ago during the lead up to the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election. This study also included three full years of reading all feature articles and comments on Jihad Watch. I started commenting myself about six months ago, after I felt that I could contribute somewhat intelligently.
It’s critical to keep up with what’s going on in regards to Islam but I find that I purposely have to restrict my time studying it to avoid becoming totally cynical and depressed about the future of Western civilization. I believe that there is some hope for some of the Western countries, but the window of opportunity is closing very quickly for some.
Wellington says
Ditto, James, all around, with the exception that I started studying Islam as long ago as 1971 when, as a history major, I took my first course in Middle Eastern history. It was a general overview course and thereafter I took two or three further courses on the Middle East since I thought at the time I would pursue a PhD in either ancient or medieval history.
Well, I eventually got a Masters degree in history, by this time with an emphasis on the American past (quite the transition, no?), and thereafter went to law school (at that time in the 1970’s there was effectively no employment for those with a doctorate in history—e.g., something like $9,000 a year for an assistant professor of history at some some small Kentucky college).
Ironically, I ended up teaching history at a small college where everyone else had a doctorate. Yes, I was a “lone wolf” (and enjoyed being such). Amazing how many with a PhD act towards one who does not have one with total condescension—and to a conservative no less. My law degree was of no consequence to these snobs and I was an outcast from the beginning—but enjoyed this status so contrarian is my nature. Besides, getting a law degree is at least as difficult as acquiring a PhD, I think more so, but this did not matter to the effete Leftists who surrounded me.
Anyway, and sorry for the digression, I had concluded by around 1980, after making a study of all the major religions of the world (and many minor ones as well) that I simply was not made in the mold of a religiously inclined person. But, nonetheless, I had concluded that though not religious in the least myself, many religions, and particularly Judaism and Christianity because of their emphasis on the dignity and worth of the individual, deserved respect—with the sole major exception of Islam. By 1980 or thereabouts I was certain that, looking at matters from a probability factor, it was indeed probable, not a given but very probable, that mankind would eventually develop a major religion which was putrid to its very core. Well, mankind did. Mankind developed Islam.
Thomas Jefferson, no believer in the divinity of Jesus but an admirer of Christian ethics nonetheless, developed such a conviction about Islam. Same for John Quincy Adams. For Alexis de Tocqueville and Arthur Schopenhauer too. Also Ernest Renan, Bertrand Russell (btw, I highly recommend his 1945 work, A History of Western Philosophy), Winston Churchill, Oriana Fallaci, et al. The list is a very long one of great minds who manifested nothing but contempt for Mo’s wretched and liberty-crushing creed.
After 9/11 I decided to re-educate myself about a religion I had already developed a contempt for. So, I read the Koran in its entirety rather than just in parts, read several of Robert Spencer’s works, hooked up here at JW about ten years ago, and so on. EVERYTHING I have read about Islam only makes me harbor all the greater contempt for it. NEVER has any apology or defense for Islam moved me in the least to think better of it. Loathe it actually since no religion, not even close, is such a mortal enemy of liberty as Islam surely is.
Sorry for the long post. Felt inclined to prolixity as I too often do. It’s one of my many faults, but one of these faults at least does not include thinking highly of Islam. Here I am free and clear of error or any other related negative.
Enough said. Hope you and yours had a memorable Thanksgiving. Take care.
James Lincoln says
Wellington,
I certainly appreciate the feedback – much thanks.
Yes, I enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving with my family – thank you for asking. Hope you also enjoyed yours.
Aussie Infidel says
Wellington, My involvement with the ‘religion of peace’ goes back even further – to the dark days of WWII. I came home from school one afternoon to hear my secular Jewish grandmother telling mum and others that “The Mohammedans had allied with Hitler and were killing Jews in Jericho.” I was very upset, because Jericho is a small town in central western Queensland not far from where we lived at the time; and I had visions of these Mohammedans (whoever they were) coming after us next. But Gran calmed me down by explaining that she was referring to the town of the same name in the Middle East.
As an atheist, I had always been interested in the history of religion, and during my teens had read a book on Islam, but found it difficult to understand and boring. Then in the early sixties I worked with an Indian man from Fiji, who one day was reading the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam – which he referred to as his ‘Koran’. I asked why he called it that, and he told me that he was an ex-Muslim, and the Rubiayat was now his ‘new religion’. The next day he brought in an actual Koran, and read a few verses including 9:5, which he called the ‘verse of the sword’ because it commanded Muslims to kill unbelievers. Then he went on to explain that his father had been killed in Fiji by other Muslims for being an apostate, because he didn’t go to the mosque anymore. Then when the opportunity arose, the rest of the family came to Australia. I was horrified that any religion could be so callous; but he went on to explain that the Koran was “full of that shit!” – as he put it – and that similar incidents had occurred in Fiji before.
Then a few years later, I was teaching radio communication systems and had many students out here in Australia from a number of Asian and African countries. There were people of many different religions including Islam; but the Muslims would all go to the mosque on Fridays for prayers at noon, so the afternoon was virtually free for the rest of us. To my surprise, some of the students told me (in secret) that they were ex-Muslims, and why they had left the faith. Their reasons covered everything from a simple loss of faith, to marriage disputes and even honor killings. Some of the tales they told were quite horrific and sad. One Christian man’s father and brother-in-law had been killed when Muslims fire-bombed his local church in Pakistan. Another man from Africa told a tale of Muslims attacking the local Christian radio broadcast station. One of the station operators was badly injured when he was attacked with a machete, but his Muslim assailant suffered third degree burns when he attempted to cut the feed line to the aerial. Ten kilowatts of RF, can very quickly overcook human flesh. Ironically, both the assailant and his victim ended up in hospital under police guard.
One Friday afternoon, one of the Indonesian students brought in a Koran, but had to translate it to English since it had been written in Bahasa Indonesian. Nevertheless, the verses he quoted were sufficient to convince us all that Islam was not a peaceful religion, but one predicated on violence and hatred – particularly of Jews and Christians.
Since those days, I have read everything I could get my hands on – including one of the books by the apologist Karen Armstrong, which had me fooled for a while. Ashamedly, I haven’t yet read Robert’s new book, but that will be a ‘must-read’ in the near future. I’ve been heavily involved in the anti-Islam movement in Australia for over 20 years; but the most frustrating aspect has been the number of ordinary people and politicians I’ve spoken with who know nothing about Islam – and don’t want to know – because they have been brainwashed that Islam is a peaceful religion, and they think you are just another conspiracy theorist. When ‘9/11’ occurred, I must have been one of the few people in the country who was not surprised, given the revolution in Iran under Khomeini and the attacks which had already occurred against US shipping and embassies, I wondered why it had not happened sooner.
However, like everyone else, I was horrified by the number and magnitude of the 9/11 attacks, and wondered why US intelligence had not detected it earlier. But what made me most angry, was watching Pres George W Bush on TV speaking at the mosque in Washington – with Muslim minders at his side, saying “Islam is peace.” Well, as we know Islam doesn’t mean peace, but ‘submission’ to the will of Allah. However, every ignorant politician in the world, including our own PM, reiterated Bush’s comments for the next ten years at least. As Robert has said, “There are some people who simply don’t wish to have their comfortable illusions disturbed by facts.” And as you claim, “No religion is such a mortal enemy of liberty as Islam.”
Islam is a criminal ideology which has no place in a civilized society!
Scott Allen says
Interesting post Wellington. I will check out Russell’s book.
gravenimage says
Good exchange, Wellington and James.
My background is also in history–that of the late ancient world through the Victorian period, with an emphasis on the Medieval period and Renaissance in Europe. Certainly, one could not study this period without at least touching on Islam.
So some of this history is familiar to me–but not all of it, in such detail. I am very impressed with Spencer’s scholarship, as I have been before.
And I very much agree with Wellington on the need to take a break from this grim study of the horrors of Jihad from time to time–listening to music, looking at art, enjoying literature and all the other wonders of the civilized world which are Haram in Islam.
Herman says
“what Robert Spencer has in great detail chronicled is a religion so awful in both its theological blueprint and in its practice, and over many centuries no less, that it becomes depressing to read about”
Indeed, and that is why I do not read the book, because I am already depressed by the daily news about islam. I learned about it after 9/11, because I read everywhere that it was the religion of peace..
And from reading the real islam to the disgusting part of the pedophile, it was a journey from bad to worse….
Flavius Claudius Iulianus says
I call for the end of NATO and the Atlantic Council. These people are going to get us into WW III.
https://www.rt.com/news/444922-anders-aslund-azov-sea/
gravenimage says
Ah…right. If Westerners have a problem with Russia’s takeover of the Sea of Azov and their seizing Ukrainian ships, then they are the aggressors. Bad Westerners! If you let Russia have its way, then maybe they will leave you unmolested…or maybe not…
Flavius Claudius Iulianus says
Read this article:
https://www.rt.com/news/444857-russia-ukraine-kerch-strait-standoff/
Both countries have a right to the passage and there is a strict protocol in place in order to avoid any misunderstandings. Russia does not deny the Ukraine its right of passage but no notifications were given. The Russians repeatedly warned off the Ukrainian vessels. Some believe it is a ploy by Poroshenko to strengthen support just before the upcoming elections.
gravenimage, as a Jew you should be keenly aware of who and what states are neo-Nazi or have strong Nazi sympathies. The present regime in Kiev is such an actor. They are aligned with the neo-Nazi entities in western Ukraine (Azov Battalion, Svoboda, etc). Every year the western Ukrainians celebrate their great hero Stepan Bandera (a Nazi collaborator and war criminal) with a Nazi style torch march. If you are not aware of this then you need to do some reading.
Even mainstream Ukrainian politicians speak in “genocidal” terms regarding native Russian speakers in the east of the Ukraine. The Crimeans, who are predominantly Russian speakers, overwhelmingly voted to be Russian because they knew that if they stayed with the Ukraine, a day would come when a purge would happen.
WildWelshWoman says
This book should be mandatory reading for all members of Western governments.
roberto says
YES, ABSOLUTELY! A MUST READ. Thanks Robert Spencer for this incredible work!
BC says
My daughter asked me what I wanted for an XMAS present so of course I asked for THOJFMTI
I am looking forward to its arrival. I do not expect I will ‘enjoy’ reading it but I do expect to be educated. A positive review on Amazon may be anticipated!
infidel says
MUST WATCH videos of the realistic recreations of the Horrific Mumbai 26/11/2008 attacks…1.
Ps give these videos WIDE CIRCULATION…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fz5j6XWIJ-8
infidel says
MUST WATCH videos of the realistic recreations of the Horrific Mumbai 26/11/2008 attacks…2
Ps give these videos wide circulation.. THE CIVILIZE WORLD MUST NEVER FORGET..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNO4IXc1u7A
Richard Roffino says
Awesome book !! Everyone on the planet should read this book. I also believe Islam is the religion of the devil (Caligastia).