The Crisis of Islam

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In his first book since What Went Wrong?, Bernard Lewis explores the historical roots of resentments in the Islamic world that have manifested in acts of terrorism. He examines the theological origins of political Islam and traces the rise of militant Islam in Iran, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, highlighting the influence of radical Wahhabi proselytizing and Saudi oil wealth on the broader Islamic landscape. The narrative spans thirteen centuries but focuses particularly on key twentieth-century events that have led to contemporary violent confrontations, including the creation of Israel, the Cold War, the Iranian Revolution, the Soviet defeat in Afghanistan, the Gulf War, and the September 11 attacks. While hostility toward the West has deep historical roots in Islamic lands, the current focus on America is relatively recent, as is the emergence of the suicide bomber phenomenon. By skillfully disentangling the complexities of Middle Eastern history from the rhetoric of its leaders, Lewis sheds light on the growing rejection of modernity among many in the Muslim world in favor of a return to a revered past. This work, based on his George Polk Award-winning article for The New Yorker, is crucial for understanding the motivations behind figures like Usama bin Ladin and the resonance of his violent ideology in the Islamic world.