Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Infidel
Book Review: A life of the mind
Summary: 5 Stars
Many people seem to know about some of the major events in Ayaan Hirsi Ali's life without knowing (or caring to know) about her ideas--her upbringing in Somalia, where she suffered ritual genital mutilation; her flight to Holland, where she sought asylum; her election to Dutch parliment; the short film she made with Theo Van Gogh, which resulted in his murder by an Islamic extremist and serious threats to her own life; her moving to the U.S. to work with the American Enterprise Institute. All of this is covered in her clear-eyed autobiography, "Infidel." In fact, most every detail of her life so far is covered. The facts of her journey will likely be an education for any Westerner--and make no mistake, she wrote this book with Westerners in mind--but along with that, we get what amounts to a manifesto of her ideas, and how she came to them.
In her view, actually, the term "Islamic Extremist" is something of a redundancy, since the way in which Islam is practiced in much of the world today is extreme in itself. It's almost a hermetically sealed environment that cannot tolerate any outside influence. Liberal Westerners are fooling themselves when they declare that Muslims in Europe are an oppressed minority--they see themselves as the only valid culture. Although herself an apostate--an atheist, actually--she sees an Islamic Enlightenment as the only choice in combatting terrorism. Encouraging women's rights is one of the major ways this can be accomplished. Europeans cannot proclaim all women to be equal on the one hand while giving a pass to faith-based oppression with the other. In her book, Ms. Ali uses the example of her own life to illustrate these points, and the end result is a vivid portrait of world we've been seeing from the outside looking in. Flipping this equation is also one of her main goals in this book, and she acheives this with marvelous clarity. One doesn't need to agree with her to appreciate this, and both liberals and conservatives will be challenged to shift their point of view.
Ms. Ali's worldview is realistic, but at the same time idealistic. She doesn't pretend that she alone can make a difference, but she remains hopeful she can begin a debate that will. No matter what one thinks of her ideas, her story deserves to be listened to.
(Side note: The film she made with Theo Van Gogh, "Submission Part One," which sparked a murderous rage akin to the Danish cartoon controversy, can be found on YouTube, so people can decide for themselves whether its director needed to die and its author needs constant security.)
Book Review: A most remarkable book.
Summary: 5 Stars
Every now and then, something truly remarkable is written. This book falls into that category. I have read very few books which hit me as hard as this book did.
This is a remarkable woman. She has crossed an impassable divide, and has been able to reach the other side--after considerable suffering, work, and tears. Her journey has not yet ended. I would imagine much more awaits her. She seems to be fated to say what many do not wish to hear.
How well does anyone in the west understand Islam, and all the things it does to people? Do we really understand female genital mutilation, beaten women, arranged marriages, the compuslive need to hide the feminine, and the complete loss of individual freedom? Americans still don't have a clue. This book makes a very real effort to explain a few things. It is painful, but important reading.
One can read the various books on Islam--with great value. This book makes it personal, and painful. It is time the west came to its senses, and faced reality. It is not "one world," all cultures are not equal in value, and the individual matters much more than the collective living in darkness.
On a more mundane level, the book is well-written, gripping, heart wrenching, powerful, painful, touching, and impossible to put down. Read it, and you, too, will feel its remarkable value--and message.
I wish this wonderful woman well . She has done so very much to open our eyes.
Book Review: A must read!
Summary: 5 Stars
If you are concerned about what is going on in Iraq and want to know why the radical Muslims are out to destroy us, this book will give you some insignts. Ayaan Hirsi Ali was a very devoted and strict Muslim until she began asking questions of her Islamic teachers that went unanswered. She asked if Allah is good, why does HE permit men to beat their wives? She paints a vivid picture of why Islam can not be viewed as a peaceful religion.
Book Review: A real eye opener!
Summary: 4 Stars
I have been studying Islam and the Middle East (the good, the bad, and the ugly) for several years now. Infidel is one of the first books I have read that comes not from an OUTSIDE observer critquing the Rise of Militant Islam, but from one who actually lived, worshipped, experienced and was victimized first hand by it's corosive nature.
While Western scholars, experts and university professors debate, speculate and write books about the events in the Middle East this author actually lived thru them. Ayaan writes about actual facts, not opinions. What a tremedous eye opener "Infidel" is. I highly recomend it to anyone looking for a first hand MIDDLE EASTERN point of view of religion run amoke. Ayaan Hirsi Ali can not be silenced by Islamic terrorist or by the Politically Correct police. If you want the real deal here it is.
Book Review: A remarkable story
Summary: 5 Stars
Not only was this book a remarkable story,
It truly gave me insight into a life so wholly different than any other I have read about. The author's evolution from childhood to adulthood is truly astounding, and a demonstration of how strong an individual she is.
I realize that Ayaan is known for her support for women in islamic societies but to me she came across, above all, as an incredibly courageous human being.