Extreme Islam: Anti-American Propaganda of Muslim Fundamentalism

by Adam Parfrey

We were asleep at the wheel; we didn't have a clue. Our primary
symbols of wealth and might were destroyed so spectacularly, so
momentously, that Muslim fundamentalists believed it could only be Allah's wrath. Celebrations quickly became fervent prayer for Allah to complete the job and annihilate 'The Great Satan."

Should we ignore the basics of this messianic religion? Ignore its code, its beliefs, its history, its visions, its plans?

Extreme Islam explores the fundamentalist current, whose strict interpretations of the Holy Qur'an has led it to declare war against secular nations, and even members of its own religion whose lenient ideas are considered apostate, a sin punishable by death.

Explosive as the views it presents, Extreme Islam cuts to the chase, and allows the major voices of Islamic militancy to speak for themselves. A wide spectrum of interviews, essays, political cartoons, posters, poems and stories are collected together to confront the reader with important and rarely seen perspectives of a movement that opposes almost everything considered holy by America and Western civilization.

Ground zero of the showdown is Jerusalem, where fundamental- ists from Christianity and Judaism are joining the fray, plotting to destroy al-Aqsa, one of Islam's holiest shrines, to foment world war and Apocalypse.

Genres: Islam, Terrorism, Religion

328 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Adam Parfrey was an American journalist, editor, and the publisher of Feral House books, whose work in all three capacities frequently centered on unusual, extreme, or "forbidden" areas of knowledge. A 2010 Seattle Weekly profile stated that "what Parfrey does is publish books that explore the marginal aspects of culture. And in many cases—at least back when his interests were almost exclusively transgressive—he sheds light on subjects that society prefers to leave unexplored, carving a niche catering to those of us with an unseemly obsession with life's darkest, most depraved sides."

Reviews

[Cwn_annwn_13 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book documents some of the most extreme propaganda and writings in the Islamic world reprinting the actual writings. While a high percentage of the Muslim world would probably at the least in an armchair sort of way advocate and/or sympathize with most of whats in this book, at least in a similar vein to a Muslim I once worked with who said although he wouldn't have the courage to kill him with his own hands he still advocated the death of Salman Rushdie, the authors of this book neglect to mention that for years the United States government openly promoted and funded some of the most extreme Islamic factions in the middle east, including out and out founding Al-Queda. I honestly have to wonder how much of the rhetoric that made it into this book was covertly penned by the CIA.

While the stone age behavior of much of the Muslim world can't be denied I also couldn't help but notice that the co-author of this book is also the author of a book that sought to demonize Asatru/Odinists (2/3 of that book wasn't even about Odinism but instead Christian Identity and the Church of the Creator) and also a book about the Nation of Islam. Two groups that certain "hate watchdog" groups seek to paint as boogeymen to scare people into donating money to their organizations so I have to also question the motivations of the publication of this book. Its an interesting read because you get to read some of the most extreme doctrines in the Muslim world, and this book is probably at the top of every chickenhawk neo-cons reading list, but like I said I just don't trust the motivations behind the publication of this book.

[Artemis Nguyen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting collection, but also quite flawed. Loads of typos. Also, not all the excerpts contained are to do with Islamic fundamentalism. For example, a short description of how Muslims perform prayer. Some excerpts are not even Islamic. For example, Christian Zionist writings and a piece from Leila Khaled, who was a secular communist, not a Muslim fundamentalist. It seems like the editor was going more for sensationalism than in-depth analysis or understanding. Not very surprising, given its publication date in November of 2001.

[Anthony Faber · Rating 2 out of 5]

My chief problem with this book was that he didn't always say when the various pieces he included were written/published. That would have helped me put things in context better. It was a slog to read, because things get repetitive. It's kind of interesting to see how much alike different kinds of extremists are, though.

[Jane Fournier · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have tried to read this book as I would like to understand Extreme Islam better but you know what, I cannot finish. They blame the USA for all their troubles and have reacted in a manner that wants to destroy. Destroy all who don't believe their Qur'an. Watch them closely. Close our borders for the safety of the USA.