Ancient Religions, Modern Politics: The Islamic Case in Comparative Perspective

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Why does Islam play a larger role in contemporary politics than other religions Is there something about the Islamic heritage that makes Muslims more likely than adherents of other faiths to invoke it in their political life If so, what is it Ancient Religions, Modern Politics seeks to answer these questions by examining the roles of Islam, Hind

Reviews

Michael Cook, Winner of the 2014 Holberg Prize "Ancient Religions, Modern Politics ... addresses a vital present-day issue on which many have offered opinions, all unsupported by the historical scholarship that he has been able to apply ... impregnable scholarship ... towering work."--Jonathan Benthall, Times Literary Supplement "[Cook] presents a panoramic and nuanced overview of political Islam with regard to identity, social values and culture over time."--Sundeep Khanna, Mint "In many ways, this work is a culmination of a life dedicated to scholarly research and writing. Ancient Religions, Modern Politics has depth that is uncommon, is presented in a readable format that makes it accessible to non-experts and is recognised for its academic rigor by specialists... Cook presents a text that is accessible for the undergraduate level while at the same time challenging and a useful resource for the graduate level."--Taylor & Francis Online "A scholarly tour de force by one of the world's pre-eminent historians of Islam."--William McCants, WallStreetJournal.com "Certainly, rich in its use of sources and convincing in its arguments, this book should be widely read and would be very influential."--Maurice Borrmans, Islamochristiana "This is an impressive work that asks difficult questions and is not afraid to answer them. Cook's sources are extensive and delve deeply into each religious tradition... He skillfully weaves together thinkers from the earliest form of the faith to contemporary schools of though. Readers will be ... challenged to think critically about the important questions he raises."--Theodore A. Nitz, Fides et Historia "Enlightening."--Islamic Quarterly "Profoundly erudite, written with exceptional clarity, and laced with mordant wit."--Ellis Goldberg, Journal of Church and State "This impressive book offers a new approach to answering an old question: why did Islam develop a political profile which paved the way to a 'pull of Islamism,' even turning into militant sectarian conflicts ... Cook's highly stimulating and knowledgeable reading of Muslims' use of tradition and his answer to the old question will certainly prompt a new discussion about the genealogy of political Islam."--Reinhard Schulze, Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies

Author Bio

Michael Cook is professor of Near Eastern studies at Princeton University. He is the author of Commanding Right and Forbidding Wrong in Islamic Thought and A Brief History of the Human Race, among other books.