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quasar728's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.0
ryndolyn's review against another edition
3.0
Nawaz brought a lot of new insights I never thought of. His voice was very eloquent and felt unbiased yet educated. Harris, however, presented a very aggressive approach to the conversation. Everything that Nawaz said, Harris would rebutt somewhat rudely. Nawaz never got defensive which I commend him for.
I expected a balanced dialogue and Harris got in the way of that.
I expected a balanced dialogue and Harris got in the way of that.
paulh267's review against another edition
4.0
A good example of how conversations about major world issues should be had: Calm, well-informed and intellectually honest - traits rarely seen in typical conversations of these kinds.
beatsbybeard's review against another edition
4.0
True to its subtitle, this short volume is a clear, respectful, and candid dialogue. Harris (outspoken atheist) and Nawaz (liberal Muslim) have received flak from all sides for their efforts here, one critic even calling Nawaz Sam Harris's "lapdog" and a "porch monkey". Yikes.
The results of politicized religion are inevitably disastrous, and since Islamism (as defined by Nawaz, "a political movement to impose Islam on society") is on the rise, it is the particular focus of this book. Nawaz advocates for secular, pluralist democracies focused on human rights as the way forward. Something I particularly like about the book is that Nawaz gets most of the ink; it would be all too easy for people to write this off as inauthentic if the points made were only coming from Harris. The two men agree that liberals have largely failed to acknowledge the ideological problem behind Islamism and jihadism (the use of force to spread Islamism). "Regressive leftists" instead find any and all other ways to justify the violent behavior – Western colonialism and imperialism chiefly at fault – while hurling the term "Islamophobia" at anyone who points out the jihadis' religious motives. As a result, they often end up siding with insidious theocrats and violent zealots who wish for the global rule of Islam. Nawaz's nuanced thinking on this is particularly helpful in articulating the spectrum on which jihadis, Islamists, conservative Muslims, and liberal Muslims reside.
Given how short this book is and how clear its authors' ideas are, I recommend it to anyone who cares enough to think about the topic in subtler ways. In such a polarized field, it's refreshing to see such candor and deep mutual respect.
The results of politicized religion are inevitably disastrous, and since Islamism (as defined by Nawaz, "a political movement to impose Islam on society") is on the rise, it is the particular focus of this book. Nawaz advocates for secular, pluralist democracies focused on human rights as the way forward. Something I particularly like about the book is that Nawaz gets most of the ink; it would be all too easy for people to write this off as inauthentic if the points made were only coming from Harris. The two men agree that liberals have largely failed to acknowledge the ideological problem behind Islamism and jihadism (the use of force to spread Islamism). "Regressive leftists" instead find any and all other ways to justify the violent behavior – Western colonialism and imperialism chiefly at fault – while hurling the term "Islamophobia" at anyone who points out the jihadis' religious motives. As a result, they often end up siding with insidious theocrats and violent zealots who wish for the global rule of Islam. Nawaz's nuanced thinking on this is particularly helpful in articulating the spectrum on which jihadis, Islamists, conservative Muslims, and liberal Muslims reside.
Given how short this book is and how clear its authors' ideas are, I recommend it to anyone who cares enough to think about the topic in subtler ways. In such a polarized field, it's refreshing to see such candor and deep mutual respect.
iggymcmuffin's review against another edition
5.0
Give Sam Harris's portions a 2.5. Give Majid Nawaz a 7.5.
jcm196's review against another edition
5.0
A perfect example of the necessity of conversation in order to stimulate global change.
forkdogforkfruit's review against another edition
4.0
This is a refreshing conversation focussing on a delicate topic. Both parties act impeccably when stating their position and are able to present controversial points and counter points without fear of inflicting offence on the other. By allowing this to happen many often nuanced points are able to be untangled and presented in ways which would otherwise be near impossible. Nawaz and Harris consistently make clear points and argue their respective sides very well and allow the other the freedom and time to expand on their positions and responses.
It is clear both parties gain something out of this exchange and this extends to myself as the reader. I have been introduced to the idea (and word vacuous) of vacuous islamism which Nawaz presents and expresses very well. Another salient point is that Nawaz addresses the term "Islamaphobia" and how is it unhelpful and has become a "trouble and inherently unhelpful term" and shores this up with sound reasoning about how the freedom of scrutiny of ideas should be a freedom to all.
In summary, this book has been a delight to read and has taught me a lot about a topic that I felt I had firm grounding in. In the current world climate this is a must-read for anyone who wishes to have their ideas challenged and is looking to engage in a conversation that many may feel is not really taking place in the public sphere at this time.
It is clear both parties gain something out of this exchange and this extends to myself as the reader. I have been introduced to the idea (and word vacuous) of vacuous islamism which Nawaz presents and expresses very well. Another salient point is that Nawaz addresses the term "Islamaphobia" and how is it unhelpful and has become a "trouble and inherently unhelpful term" and shores this up with sound reasoning about how the freedom of scrutiny of ideas should be a freedom to all.
In summary, this book has been a delight to read and has taught me a lot about a topic that I felt I had firm grounding in. In the current world climate this is a must-read for anyone who wishes to have their ideas challenged and is looking to engage in a conversation that many may feel is not really taking place in the public sphere at this time.
myrto229's review against another edition
2.0
This was OK, but it wasn't very easy to read because of the format. As the title indicates, it takes the form of a long conversation between Harris and Maajid Nawaz, a formerly radical Muslim who is trying to de-radicalize Muslims.
I guess that there might have been insightful points made here, but the format made it really hard to follow the arguments. The conversation was rambling and unfocused (except when Mr Nawaz was making some of his more key points).
I was kind of looking for some kind of clear thoughts on how secular people and religious people can get along together, sharing ideas, and this might have been useful, but I just couldn't follow the arguments well enough to enjoy it. Too bad.
I guess that there might have been insightful points made here, but the format made it really hard to follow the arguments. The conversation was rambling and unfocused (except when Mr Nawaz was making some of his more key points).
I was kind of looking for some kind of clear thoughts on how secular people and religious people can get along together, sharing ideas, and this might have been useful, but I just couldn't follow the arguments well enough to enjoy it. Too bad.
clmassey24's review against another edition
4.0
A fantastic dialogue about the issues concerning Islam today. Particularly damning is how liberals in the West have failed freethinkers, intellectuals, and communities like the LGBT+ in the Muslim world by failing to acknowledge the issues at hand – the very groups they fight for in the West.