The Sum of All Heresies: The Image of Islam in Western Thought

by Frederick Quinn

Overview

Quinn's timely volume traces the Western image of Islam from its earliest days to recent times. The book establishes four basic themes around which the image of Islam gravitates throughout history: the Prophet as Antichrist, heretic, and Satan; the Prophet as Fallen Christian, corrupted monk, or Arab Lucifer; the prophet as sexual deviant, polygamist, and charlatan, and the Prophet as Wise Easterner, Holy Person, and dispenser of wisdom. A feature of the book is a strong portrayal of Islam in literature, art, music, and popular culture.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780198043676
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	11/21/2007
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Frederick Quinn is Adjunct Professor of History at Utah State University, in Logan, Utah. An Episcopal Priest and a retired senior Foreign Service officer who worked in North Africa, he is the author of several books on history, religion, and law.

Table of Contents

Introduction     3
The Prophet as Antichrist and Arab Lucifer (Early Times to 1600)     17
"The Time of Araby Has Come at Last" (1600-1800)     55
The Prophet as Hero and Wise Easterner (1800-1900)     91
"Nous Revenons, Saladin!" (We Return, Saladin!) (1900-2000)     125
The Summing Up     159
"Am I Not Your Lord?" Kenneth Cragg on Muslim-Christian Dialogue     173
Notes     181
Selected Bibliography     201
Index     215

Editorial Reviews

"A highly engaging, well-written and artfully crafted tour through the history of complex and multi-dimensional Western responses to Islam." —Jane I. Smith, Professor of Islamic Studies, Hartford Seminary

"Quinn provides Westerners with an important portrayal of their own prejudices about Islam, warning that these entrenched images have not been replaced but rather persist in shifting forms to this day. All westerners interested in effective interfaith relations need to look carefully into the mirror held up by Quinn." —John O. Voll, Associate Director of the Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding at Georgetown University

From the Publisher