Not exactly what I was looking for

Choosing this book, I thought I was going to get insight into how Islam works for Muslims in helping them connect to God, with an in-depth look at the Koran in a manner that explains Koranic concepts to non-Mulsims. That was not exactly the case.

While this book is very much in-depth and meticulously written and soundly argued, there is very little about the spiritual or mystical aspects of Islam. It is very clear in its forward or preface that this is a cautionary book about the entrenched violence, disdain for the infidel and outright deception that is sactioned in the Koran. How Koranic verses are very clear and often repeated in their hatred of the infidel and how Muslims are compelled by the Koran to subdue all to Islam by sword or subjugation, not matter what.

I did appreciate learning about the Koran, its compilation, Muhammad and the 7th century environment in which Islam was first proselytized. Spencer hits on all the high points of concern for Christians and Jews, women and of course terrorism. He gives Koranic references constantly, including the commentary of the Hadith as well as many Muslim scholars and theologian's points of view on the Koranic verses. As well, there are interesting biographical elements to Muhammad's story here too.

So the book is extremely rich in knowledge. And for that I am thankful and enjoyed learning about Islam. But it was painful to wade through the basic tenant of the book, that infidels are in grave danger. What Spencer never squares is the fact that hundreds of millions of Muslims (22% of world population according to Wikipedia) live in peace throughout the world, with no intention of Jihad.

The final nail in the coffin is that in his conclusion, Spencer talks about the Dutch politician Geert Wilders, who has alarmist views on Islam and has been often liked to a Nazi in his views on how to deal with Islam. If you are thinking of reading this book, just take a look at the titles of Spencer's other 12 books on Islam (I wish I did). You'll get the idea. If that's what you're looking for, then this book is for you. If you are looking for insight into the spiritual of Islam, best keep looking.

60 people found this helpful

Indisputable facts

There are those who would shrink from the message in this book - that the Koran is not a religion of peace, that a major theme of Islam is to subjugate all those of a different religion. This book, mostly in tedious way, goes through the Koran in detail. It analyzes the many positions on the Koran, e.g. that sections of it (regarding killing infidels, for example) are read "out of context." It looks at the sections that are contradictory, or that are used to validate the claim that the Koran is just a book of wisdom. The Infide's Guide is somewhat dry and somewhat tedious, as it analyzes the positions and then cites the verses in the book that support or refute these claims.

No one can say that this book is a rant against Islam. That is what makes it so compelling. It is a scholarly, dry, and altogether horrifying look at what the Koran really says. You can't deny it, because the citations are there, and there are many.

This is a must-read for those who want to cut through the rhetoric and conflicting emotional appeals and learn the basic content of the Koran. While the author takes a clear editorial position, the only conclusion that this reader can make is that the editorial bent is driven by a criticial reading of the Koran.

The narration is adequate for the task.

41 people found this helpful

Every Non-Muslim Should Read This Book

This is a very honest and balanced look at the reality that is Islam. And Islam is what it is because of the Koran. While the Koran is what it is because of the life, teachings and example of Mohammad, the founder and dictator of the Koran (he was illiterate and could not read or write).

The author, Robert Spence, is not quite as conservative as I am, but his research, explanations, opinions and conclusions are quite sound. He is very gracious toward the "moderate" Muslim while not yielding to Political Correctness or white-washing the very real problem of Jihadist Islam. He makes a clear case to prove that Jihad cannot be legitimately understood apart from Mohammad's war on the infidel and his call for his followers to follow suit, which explains the constant war (including that which has existed among the differing Islamic sects since the "wars of apostasy" after Mohammad's death) and bloodshed throughout the 1,400 year history of Islam.

The narrator, Lloyd James, is one of the best in the business. A very well-read, clear narration on his part put the icing on the cake for a 5 star rating of this audio book.

34 people found this helpful

An 'Infidel' is the Muslim term for "Unbeliever"

If you are interested in learning more about Islam, albeit in a critical way, this book is worth a listen.

The "Infidel's Guide" points out a number of inconsistencies within the religion -- and-- its founder, as well as states the major tenets of the religion of Islam, and some common misperceptions. It gives a brief history of Islam, and states what Muslims consider holy about the book and its prophet, while the narrator states what he considers false about this religion from a Biblical perspective.

If you are a Christian wondering about the impact of Islam, and would like to learn more about this religion, and why it is a false religion, this book is also recommended.

As an aside, the tone of this book (as the title may suggest) is not one of respect for Islam or its founders, but seems to me to convey a transparency and frankness about the disparity between the two religions. The tone, seems to me, conveys one that is similar to how Muslims feel about Jews and Christians (many verses from the Koran are mentioned about this).

29 people found this helpful

A Must Read

Refreshing in its complete absence of political correctness, this book illuminates the most pressing issue in contemporary times. I'm giving it as gifts to friends and politicians.

16 people found this helpful

Highly biased

Pushes the concept of intolerance towards muslims and encourages Americans to support anti-Muslim international policy. I was very disappointed in this book. But the narrator is quite good.

15 people found this helpful

Very interesting!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This book was not quite what I expected but I was satisfied with the read. I would recommend it to any Infidel looking for more information on the Koran. Since reading this book I have read the Koran, and several other books about the Koran and the life of Mohamed. From these other reads I can say that author was unbiased and presented true information in the material covered. I think that in light of current world affairs this book would be good for every one to read.

14 people found this helpful

Perpetuating Fear

This book is written by a known Islamophobe who can’t be bothered to analyze a historical text outside the lens of his own biases. The same arguments, that violence perpetrated in the name of religious doctrine, can be applied to other sacred texts, but that would only serve to contradict Spencer’s point.

13 people found this helpful

Scary

I generally am a skeptic. An author must Prove his points ,in a book such as this. For that matter, in any non-fiction. I expect a bias , towards the particular author's point of view. As long as I know where he's coming from, that bias is OK. I can , and will , seek out other points of view, and make up my own mind.
When it comes to Islam , however, my mind is made up, and was, before this book. The author gave me many new insights , that I previously didn't have, , but only confirmed what I already knew to be true.
His opinion , in the last few minutes of the book, on what we Infidels can do , here in the U.S. , are well thought out, and reasoned. I believe them, however , to be wholly inadequate.
They are, however, much more realistic , than our "Leaders" , here and abroad, running around , proclaiming Islam a "Religion of Peace".
That is akin to proclaiming L. Ron Hubbard's " Scientology ", a real Religion, when, in fact, Hubbard set that whole farce up to escape the 90% Tax Rate, back when he was writing well.
Forgive the analogy. Though Islam is akin.
My only real complaint , is due to my advanced age, and , therefor, my forgetting what certain terms mean. The author refers to them, without reminding us , late in the book , as to what they mean. As I listened to the book over many days, I hope to be forgiven for forgetting what those Arab terms meant.
To sum it up , if you think 9/11 was a fluck, think again. My eyes were opened that day. If yours were not , this book will open them, if you dare .
God help us , if it doesn't.

13 people found this helpful

95% inaccurate and judgmental

Offensive and inaccurate. Author tries to provide sura and verse numbers in Quran to provide legitimacy to his interpretations. However there is TONS of evidence and historical facts available that prove Author is biased and hateful sad person.

12 people found this helpful