Ernst, Carl W. Following Muhammad: Rethinking Islam in the Contemporary World.

ERNST, Carl W. Following Muhammed; rethinking Islam in the contemporary world. Univ. of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. 244p. illus. notes. bibliog. index. c2003. 0-8078-5577-4. $16.95. A

Ernst, an American scholar, writes, "This book has been written to provide a completely different alternative to currently available books on Islam. What is offered here is a sympathetic yet reasoned and analytical view of the Islamic religious tradition and the contemporary issues that Muslims face. My most radical departure from conventional wisdom is to propose a nonfundamentalist understanding of Islam." The book is divided into broad sections that include how Islam has traditionally been viewed in the West; Islam as a religion and its practice of spirituality; its sources, especially the Qur'an; ethics and life, including the veiling of women; the arts; and relationships among the Islamic sects. To help western readers better understand, the author relates his material on Islam to the history and culture of matters that will be familiar to them. He does not point accusing fingers to account for the contemporary status of Islam.

This book is needed at a time when it is tempting to equate Islam as a whole with terrorism and to question the oft-repeated statement that Islam is actually a religion of peace. The scholarly language will limit its accessibility to an educated readership, but a book of this type is needed in religion collections in senior high schools and in other collections. A breath of fresh air for the many who would like a look at Islam the religion beyond the rhetoric and the headlines. Edna Boardman, Bismarck, ND

A--Recommended for advanced students and adults. This code will help librarians and teachers working in high schools where there are honors and advanced placement students. This also will help extend KLIATT's usefulness in public libraries.