Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Infidel
Book Review: An eye opener
Summary: 4 Stars
Very interesting book. Ii gives us an insight into the lives of people in
third world countries and the horror some girls and women have to suffer
because of religious interpretations.
But it also show how perseverence, conviction and courage triumph over
ignorance and fundamentalism.
I highly recommend this book especially to every woman.
Book Review: An important and interesting read
Summary: 4 Stars
"Infidel" by Ayaan Hirsi Ali is an important book not only because it chronicles the life experiences of a very interesting and courageous woman, but also because it provides the non-Muslim with an insider's view of Islam as it is practiced in the countries she grew up in. Her critique of the religion is clear-eyed and devoid of romanticism. She discusses frankly her own disillusionment with Islam, a disillusionment that seemed primarily to spring from its cruel and unjust treatment of women in general and her specifically. But she also takes aim at the dangers and challenges that Islam presents to western cultures as they accept larger and larger populations of Muslims who reject western values. She takes to task the apologists for Islam who fail to be concerned with the brutalization and subjugation of women, and who excuse the radicalism present in and encouraged by the theology. She recounts her life on the run from death threats for speaking out against Islam and the death of her friend Van Gogh.
Ayaan Hirsi Ali lived and suffered under Islam for the first 25 years of her life. She experienced the cruelty of Islamic practices toward women first-hand. She should know of what she speaks. So it behooves us to understand why she is more harshly critical of Islam than are most westerners and why she bemoans the fact that most westerners fail to understand and value the ideological foundations upon which their relatively peaceful and prosperous countries are built. The warnings this courageous woman raises in this well-written book are well worth reading and considering.
Book Review: Answers lots of my questions about Somalia
Summary: 5 Stars
This is one of those books I can hardly put down. I started reading it early in the evening and was amazed to find it was 11:30 pm.Book Review: Appalling!
Summary: 4 Stars
I was appalled at the plight of Musslem women in the modern world. The world needs to understand and take action to prevent the spread of Islam and the loss of freedom of women. Female mutilation is sadistic and occurs daily to millions of girls against their will and before they understand the life changing physical and emotional damage it causes. And yet the religion does not allow for free thinking let alone the questiong of this barbaric practise. Read this book!!
Bill
Book Review: Are We Paying Attention?
Summary: 5 Stars
I first learned about the author on a news program. Her message, though forced into sound bites, was riveting. After ordering and reading "Infidel" I sent additional copies to my liberally educated daughters. I am only sorry that the book does not include the rest of her life, but we must wait for her to live it! Ali's book has many messages, but it never says "this is the message," because it is embedded in her story. The glimpses into her childhood years look so strange to our eyes, like a look into a medieval time. Her maltreatment, much of it at the hands of those who should have been nurturing and encouraging her, is truly tragic. Her escape from the self-serving control of her proud father and would-be husband is both suspenseful and triumphant. While Ali's initial acceptance by her European hosts is laudatory, their inability to perceive the threat to their own generous and accepting culture by uncontrolled immigration of people with totally different values is troubling. An autobiography contains inarguable truth - it is simply an account of what happened. Ali does not attempt to boast or preach. Her journey was made a step at a time without any clear idea of where it would lead. She only did what was necessary to survive with her integrity and identity intact. Coming from a culture where she was not considered a person of free will and value, she had the fortitude to risk everything to live a life of her choosing and not to compromise or give in to intolerable pressure to conform and be controlled. May we all have such strength of character!