Miller, John & Kenedi, Aaron, eds. Inside Islam; the faith, the people, and the conflicts of the world's fastest growing religion.

Avalon, Marlowe & Co., dist. by Publishers Group West 263p. c2002. 1-56924-568-1. $15.95. SA *

This anthology, mostly of excerpts from prominent recent publications, has been thoughtfully put together to provide needed information about Islam, especially in the wake of the events of September 11th. Even though many of the authors represented are college professors and scholars, the selections are accessible--sometimes surprisingly so. For instance, the selection that starts the anthology, on the history of the faith, is taken from Huston Smith's classic The World's Religions, and it is a fascinating narrative about Mohammad and how the faith started. Here are some other chapters: an excerpt from Karen Armstrong's Islam: A Short History, from V.S. Naipaul's Among the Believers. The book is introduced by Dr. Akbar S. Ahmed, Chair of Islamic Studies at American University; and the reader soon gets the message that this is part of a movement to promote understanding and communication between believers in Islam and all other people seeking to understand the complex conflict that looms between us. Some of the chapters deal with Islam in specific countries, such as Egypt, Afghanistan, and Turkey. There is a chapter by Bernard Lewis, "The Roots of Muslim Rage," which originally appeared in the Atlantic Monthly; and one from Famed Zakaria, "Why They Hate Us," published in Newsweek.

In one carefully organized volume, students and teachers can learn a great deal from the experts on this all-important subject.