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Secularism Confronts Islam

Olivier Roy

Paper, 144 pages,
ISBN: 978-0-231-14103-1
$19.95 / £13.95

August, 2007
Cloth, 144 pages,
ISBN: 978-0-231-14102-4
$25.50 / £17.50


"A work of sustained deconstruction, [Roy] takes apart the myths, clichés and prejudices which characterise the current conversation about Islam." — The Economist

"[A] brilliant little book." — Philip H. Gordon, Foreign Affairs

"A remarkable book: articulate, original, lucid, without a paragraph that fails to contain an interesting thought." — Claire Belinski, New York Sun

"[A] valuable little monograph." — Martin Levin, Globe & Mail

"Roy provides a useful corrective to the interpretation of Islamism." — John Gray, Harper’s

"Superb . . . a welcome contribution to political science, sociology, religious studies—and statecraft." — Choice

"[A] cogent work." — Middle East Journal

"An insightful analysis." — Talip Küçükcan, Insight Turkey

"Rich in theoretical analysis." — American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences

"Secularism Confronts Islam is an extraordinary book. Important reading for all of those interested in the intersections of religion and politics." — Amir Hussain, author of Oil and Water: Two Faiths, One God

"Olivier Roy's thoughtful and erudite analysis of European Islam is an essential antidote to the fearmongering that makes the world a more dangerous place. Roy's voice is critical, as well as humane. Too wise to fall for easy pessimism, or naive optimism, Roy offers the most valuable thing of all: a deeper understanding." — Ian Buruma, author of Murder in Amsterdam: The Death of Theo van Gogh and the Limits of Tolerance

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About the Author

Olivier Roy is research director at the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) and lectures at the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (EHESS) and the Institut d'Études Politiques (IEP) in Paris. His books with Columbia University Press include The Politics of Chaos in the Middle East; Globalized Islam; and, with Amel Boubekeur, Whatever Happened to the Islamists? Salafis, Heavy Metal Muslims, and the Lure of Consumerist Islam.

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