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Yet she also acknowledges the irony of how fundamentalism and Western materialism seem to urge each other on to greater excesses. To "prevent an escalation of the conflict, we must try and understand the pain and perception of the other side," she pleads. With her gift for clear, engaging writing and her integrity as a thorough researcher, Armstrong delivers a powerful discussion of a globally heated issue. Part history lesson, part wake-up call, and mostly a plea for healing, Armstrong's writing continues to offer a religious mirror and a cultural vision. --Gail Hudson --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
From Publishers Weekly
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
IN 1492, three very important things happened in Spain. Read the first page
Concordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index
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Most helpful customer reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
A solid work of synthesis,
This review is from: The Battle for God: A History of Fundamentalism (Paperback)
Karen Armstrong provides in this volume a well-written analysis of the common roots of "fundamentalisms" in the Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions. Like most scholars, she sees such movements as both a product of and reaction to modernity. As in any broad work of synthesis, experts will notice small errors or inaccurate formulations in "their" territory. Armstrong relies on secondary material for almost all of her sources and at times the choices she has made seem dated or ill-chosen. As is always the case with hot topics, "advocates" will have much to complain about. While I sometimes found her "psychological" explanations off-putting and her mythos/logos dichotomy less than satisfying as an interpretive model, the book is a useful introduction and a generally successful synthesis of a broad literature. Some readers may find themselves occasionally lost in a sea of foreign names and dates, but by-and-large, this is a book meant for "educated amateurs" and I suspect individuals interested in the topic will not find it too difficult.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Reaching for Compassion,
By
This review is from: The Battle for God: A History of Fundamentalism (Paperback)
==Reaching for Compassion==Karen Armstrong's "The Battle for God" (Knopf, 2000), "History of God" (1994), and "Islam, A Short History" (2000) are too good to spoil with any superlative descriptions. I read this trilogy and also all 83 reviews on Amazon.com. Armstrong's analysis is reflected from each of these reviews. She touched the heart or core and got reactions. She exposes again the basic problem of hypocrisy and un-authenticity besetting human life and communities. Those extremists, either modern or religious, who think they can "obligate" God to fulfill promises as THEY see them, ironically court disaster and disobedience. Armstrong's "Battle for God" has traced the currents of history. She has seen three major streams in the major religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam: logos (which is rationalism trying to explain everything in words), mythos (which is the emotional and historical elements of life's meanings), and tradition (the rules, rituals and regulations of religious institutions). When any one of these dominates the other two, problems and trouble arise. On emotions check out www.behavior.net/column/nathanson . Modernism is a form of secular, sometimes sacred, rationalism. One does not read the Bible or Quran, for example, to know how to drill for oil, nor read an oil-drilling manual for the meaning of life. God, it would seem, is still creator and revealer, both in history. Sovereignty cannot be imprisoned in a doctrine. Finally, I think she best expresses the difficulties in her Afterword (367): "What seems sacred and positive in one camp appears demonic and deranged in another." Humanity has yet to settle on a description and practice of what is the "positive." Each person and community have so many differing experiences. Both compassion and confusion are contagious among crowds of people. The logos lawyer will still ask, "Who is my neighbor?", and the Good Samaritan's mythos will help. This is the challenge that continues to be acted out. The Rev. Dr. Charles G. Yopst, D.Min., D.T.R.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Honest and Penetrating Analysis,
By A Customer
This review is from: The Battle for God: A History of Fundamentalism (Paperback)
I do not usually write a review when I have only read half a book; however, in this case I must say that it has already transcended the asking price. Questions I did not know I had, were answered already and I was able to share with others much of this information. Her first chapter on the aftermath of 1492 was stunning. As one reads the actions and results of actions progressively, one can instantly understand why some things are the way they are today. I can hardly wait to get back to the book and to obtain any other writings by Dr. Armstrong.
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