Koran Curious - a guide for infidels and believers

by C.J. Werleman

‘Koran Curious’ is arguably the most concise examination of the Islamic faith on bookshelves today. Werleman bravely goes where only angels dare tread, and he does so in a manner that Muslims will find revealing in regards to the historical origins of their own faith.

An end-to-end read of ‘Koran Curious’ will leave you with not only a deep-level understanding of Islam, it will also explain why the world’s fastest growing religion has indeed been hijacked and misinterpreted by Islamic extremists and Christian-Jewish influences alike.

Genres: Religion, Islam, Atheism, Nonfiction, History

302 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 4, 2011

Reviews

[JW · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not nearly as provocative or funny as CJ's other books. Like most of the world, he is too afraid of imminent death to make fun of the religion of peace, because it's followers will surely kill him if he tells it as it is.

[Tuscany Bernier · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book when I first converted to Islam because it explained everything from a very basic perspective. I know the book's title seems offensive but honestly, it was a good book. It taught me a lot about Muhammad's life and why certain things were revealed in the Quran at certain times.

[Michael Taggart · Rating 1 out of 5]

Truly woeful. Full of factual inaccuracies. Worse still, there were too many spelling and grammar errors to count. Anyone who wants a beginner's guide to Islam or the Koran should steer well clear.

[Kriegslok · Rating 2 out of 5]

After a brief history of the foundation of Islam the author goes on to say it is necessary to examine the script, which is fair enough. However, the rest of the book consists of a few short sentences about the verbatim passages which do relatively little to enlighten. I had expected a few dozen pages of this followed by a more detailed analysis and critique. However, after reaching the last page I was still waiting for the this and it never came, just one last chunk of text from the Prophet and end of book. It is quite amazing what a few words can actually inspire people to do. As a heavenly text, or guide, I found the stuff bland and wishy washy, maybe it worked back then but it read weakly even by Biblical standards. A few interestingly progressive ideas for the time concerning the rights of women. My guess is that as with the Bible most people who profess a faith based on the Koran haven't read it, or perhaps more accurately understood it (as it seems that memorising and recalling the text is still taken pretty seriously). I think Werleman could have done a much better job at presenting and deconstructing this document and its life and times, a worthwhile task given the trouble that these damned holy books cause. I'm looking for something more fit for purpose.

[Neeraj Gandhi · Rating 1 out of 5]

The claim that it is the most concise examination falls flat on the first read only. Not witty, not fair, not an examination. Comes off as just a cheap translation of phrases at points. Lacks everything that "God hates you, hate him back" had.

[Nicole · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not quite what I expected. Seemed like a rather western look at the history and early development of Islam. From reading other reviews and looking at titles of the author's other books I take it that the writing style is intentional - it's not my cup of tea, is what I'll leave it at. Didn't read anything in this book that hasn't been covered in other books written for a similar audience.
Do like the Koran verses in the second half (3/4 really) of the book - a shorter, more concise version of the Koran for those who haven't taken (or don't have) the time to read the book itself.

[Joshua Coyne · Rating 1 out of 5]

Any person that blames the reader of the articall for a mass shooting is someone that only stokes the fire. It is a sad day when guilt is used towards the readers in order to push a political agenda. It also shows the ignorance of the writer and his hatred of the very people he writes for. I would only classify his work as propaganda to push a liberal(if you can really call it that) agenda. If you want to feel like your being scolded by your parents then this is the author for you

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Certainly concise, an easy read , for an quick overview from a non Islamist a worthwhile read. If you are seriously into the history of Islam , the koran etc then there are better books, if you have no idea at all, then possibly a good first introduction. Not as rabidly anti sky god as I was expecting, but cést la vie

[NJ Wong · Rating 5 out of 5]

For non-Muslims, this short book will give them a good background about the Islamic religion. Interestingly, the last 3/4 of the book provides a summary of every sura in the koran.

When reading the sura summaries, I can't help but feel how repetitive and egoistic the suras read. Although there are 114 suras, the topics covered are constantly repeated and repeated. Indeed, I think all unique ideas in the koran can be expressed in just 1/3 the number of suras. So many of the suras are just plain repetition of other suras.

When reading the suras, I find the following most troubling:

- the book keeps constantly praising itself as the most perfect book
- the constant harping of natural phenomenon to be the proof that god exists
- all kinds of adjectives being heaped upon in the description of god (most wise, most forgiving, most compassionate etc)
- the elevation of Mohammad to practically god-like status
- the incessant preaching of the concept of hell-fire as the punishment for non-believers

However, CJ Werelman's critique of each sura, as well as the koran in general, is tempered and mild as compared to those of ex-Muslims like Ali Sina and Ibn Warraq. The commentaries are also not as interesting as the ones written by David Plotz in "Good Book" (from his "Blogging the Bible" blog). Perhaps this is a form of self-censorship. Unfortunately, it is very hard for Islam to answer for the barbarism exhibited by its most fanatic followers. No amount of coddling by Islamic apologists when they say that Islam is a religion of peace will satisfactorily answer the question as to why so much violence is linked it.

[Barfoo]

searching for details on author - c.j. or CJ... :)
"CJ Werleman is how nytimes (?) or proquest seems to find him.
Described as a writer for salon.com via egypt. "CJ Werleman of Salon magazine, takes on the movie, writing: " From the very outset, American Sniper is unashamedly set up as pro-US, pro-war-on-terror propaganda.""
Notes from America: Unlike the Egyptian sniper, 'American Sniper' is glorified
Daily News Egypt [Cairo] 31 Jan 2015.

[Thomas Lawson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a thorough dissection of Islam, but if what you want is a quick journey through the Koran without having to muddle your way through an unabridged copy, then you've found the right book.

[Shamsuddin Khakiyani · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book for someone who wants to know whats written in Koran in a gist. It is definitely not a book which will give you a complete understanding of the Koran.

[❄️ Propertea Of Frostea ❄️ Bitter SnoBerry ❄ · Rating 2 out of 5]

One word: parody.

[Adam King · Rating 2 out of 5]

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