Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Infidel
Book Review: A Voltaire for Islam
Summary: 5 Stars
Ayaan Hirsi Ali's book Infidel includes a wonderful story of a woman that comes from the most meager and tortured circumstances, yet has become one of the most influential outspoken voices against injustice due to barbaric religion.
This book is a thoroughly enjoyable book that tells her story from the beginning, the best she can remember, and takes the reader all the way to recent events. Her story of persecution and the murder of Theo Van Gogh are important events that should be studied by modern readers, and discussed by those interested in Islamic reform.
It is important to realize that if not for the Enlightenment and the fathers of it, such as Spinoza and Voltaire, Christianity in the West would be just as barbaric as Islam, and indeed it was before that time -- in fact, it still is in many third-world countries, where people are still tried as witches and executed. Secular criticism of violence and injustice in religion is more necessary than many will admit.
Let this book be a lesson not just to Muslims, but to Christians with historical perspective, as well.
Book Review: A Woman's Perception of Islam
Summary: 4 Stars
This book relates the heroic story of a young woman and her struggle to
live out her life in freedom. It starts with her terror at 5 yrs. old being held down and circumcised along with her sister and brother. This episode will haunt her the rest of her life. She then struggles to get an education and stands up for what she believes women are entitled to--freedom to pick the man they want to marry and freedom to choose a career in life. Her harrowing flight to escape an arranged marriage to a much older man is vividly detailed as she struggles to reach Holland and her asylum. Her life is threatened but she holds firm to her beliefs. She also reveals the Koran and its teachings that make women second class citizens. A fascinating and fast moving book about her life and struggles in the Moslem culture and her religious journey that eventually makes her an atheist.
Book Review: A justifiably important book
Summary: 5 Stars
The first half of this autobiography tells of Ali's early life in the Muslim world. Born in Somalia, she also lived in Saudi Arabia and Kenya. Though Kenya is by far the best of them, all three were depressing places for anyone to live. Women are profoundly oppressed, and given few life chances. Seeing the contrast between the Christian and Muslim communities in Kenya, Ali slowly comes to believe that Islam and not "culture" is the core of the problem.
When forced into a marriage she doesn't want, she manages to jump ship in Germany and seek asylum in the Netherlands. Ali is stunned to see how well these countries work, in matters both big and small. She works for a while as a translator, goes to university, and then works for a Social Democratic think tank. There she manages to stir up controversy when she blames Islam for the plight of Muslims, and warns that Muslim immigrants in the Netherlands threatens that country's success.
That view brings her death threats, which probably continue to this day. Ironically, those threats, and the murder of her associate Theo van Gogh, provide additional evidence that she is right about (significant parts of) Islam. The storms around Ali, van Gogh, the assassinated Pim Fortuyn, and populist politician Geert Wilders have led to a dramatic change in the political scene of what used to be a politically boring little country.
Ali writes simply but forcefully, and her message is important whether you agree or not.
Book Review: A must read!
Summary: 5 Stars
An amazing journey taken as you follow this young women's life. It puts our lives into a whole different perspective and also reveals a little spoken of insite into Islam's teachings. It confirms the need for educating women of all races and religions. It is amazing what one person can accomplish in the face of all manner of obstacles.Book Review: A must read!!!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
Ayan Hirsi Ali's account of growing up as a Somali woman in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Germany, and the Netherlands, what she endured, her search for religious meaning as a Muslim and her struggle to be her own person was inspiring and a must read for all!!!!!!