Where I Learn Some Stuff and Unlearn Some Other Stuff I Didn't Know Wasn't So

No god but God: The Origins, Evolution and Future of Islam by Reza Aslan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Whenever I read Reza Aslan, I always think he does so many things well. I am particularly impressed by his scholarship, his clarity, and his evenhandedness, all of which are very much in evidence in this book.

As always, he has excellent command of his subject matter. Aslan speaks authoritatively on the history of Islam and religion in general, on the origins and development of various sects, and the broad range and unique character of many different modern Muslim communities. I found both his narrative and his analysis informative and reliable.

For a novice in the area of religion, this book is a useful guide. Aslan writes in a way that assumes the reader is intelligent but largely uninformed. (Me... also me...) He starts at the beginning, explains the content in plain and straightforward language, including sensitive matters of deep spiritual significance, and trusts the reader to keep up thereafter. I found he offered just about the right amount of support to make the material comprehensible and digestible. An added benefit of such clarity is that the book is entertaining, which is not a given with the subject matter. Sometimes it's a pleasure just to learn things, and I felt like I was learning.

Key to the success of this book is the sense that the author is not slanting his presentation; regardless of his personal feelings, he praises what most readers would find praiseworthy (IMO) and condemns what most would condemn. He writes as objectively about the many disparate elements of Muslim society and history as he does Christian or Hindu, and always with a view to inform, not persuade. I do feel informed, and I appreciate that. I don't feel propagandized, and I appreciate that, too.

There's a lot to learn here, and I feel like this books helps the reader make a good start. In addition, the book is engaging, and it models excellent behavior. I wish it were more common to speak so rationally, objectively, and yet passionately about religion. If more of us could develop this ability, we could do a much better job of spreading peace rather than war, acceptance instead of intolerance, inclusion rather than hate.

It's a pretty dream.

Recommended.

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