Islam : The Straight Path

This is the third edition of Esposito's very successrful introduction toIslam, designed for use in courses in Islam and comparitive religions. Espositohas updated throughout, and has added a substantial amount of new material aswell. To the existing country-by-country survey, a study of Pakistan has beenadded, for the first time broadening the scope of the volume beyond thecountries of the Middle East. Also new is a section on Islam in the West,exploring the significance of the Muslim presence in the U.S., Great Britain,and Europe, and examining some of the issues it has raised. Figures like MalcolmX, Warith uddin Muhammad, and Louis Farrakhan are considered. As a result, thisnew edition more accurately reflect the true diversity of Muslim cultures. Inthe final chapter, Esposito discusses more fully fresh Muslim thinking on suchissues as religious pluralism, democracy, and human rights.

John L. Esposito is Professor at and Director of the Center of Muslim-Christian Understanding at Georgetown University.