Salafi-Jihadism: The History of an Idea - Softcover

Maher, Shiraz

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0141986263 ISBN 13: 9780141986265

Publisher: Penguin, 2017

Synopsis

'A groundbreaking study ... a masterclass in how to do intellectual history, and one that nobody with an interest in radical Islam should miss' Tom Holland, New Statesman

'Readers looking for a rigorous but lucid account of Islamic State's ideas will be well-served by Maher's book ... the first of its kind' Kyle W. Orton, Wall Street Journal

No topic has gripped the public imagination so dramatically as the spectre of global jihadism. While much has been said about the way jihadists behave, their ideology remains poorly understood. Shiraz Maher charts the intellectual underpinnings of salafi-jihadism from its origins in the mountains of the Hindu Kush to the jihadist insurgencies of the 1990s and the 9/11 wars. His ground-breaking introduction to salafi-jihadism recalibrates our understanding of the ideas underpinning one of the most destructive political philosophies of our time.

'Magisterial ... Essential reading' Robin Yassin-Kassab, The National

'Shiraz Maher, a leading authority on contemporary Islamic extremism, traces the evolution of the key ideas behind one of the most significant religious and political movements of our time. Comprehensive, important and timely' Jason Burke, author of Al-Qaeda

'A work of genuine interest and originality ... indispensable' David Patrikarakos, Literary Review

About this title

Review:

An excellent and original account of what jihadists actually think. Mr Maher goes well beyond previous works... in setting out a taxonomy of jihadist's system of beliefs. It will be a must-read work in the study of radicalism. (Economist)

[A] groundbreaking study... one that nobody with an interest in radical Islam should miss. (Tom Holland New Statesman)

Shiraz Maher makes it clear in his fascinating new book that we are witnessing a very recent phenomenon: "the greatest period of anti-western intellectual development in Salafi-jihadi thought took place in the years after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. (Patrick French Guardian)

A book that is the first of its kind, synthesizing work that has been done on the individual components of Salafi-jihadism. Readers looking for a rigourous but lucid account of Islamic State's ideas will be well-served (Wall St Journal)

In this perceptive and lucid survey, Shiraz Maher, who has built up a justified reputation as an authority on contemporary Islamic extremism, traces the evolution of the key ideas behind one of the most significant religious and political movements of our time. He explains their origins, meanings and, above all, their real impact on violent militants over the last three or four decades. Comprehensive and thought-provoking, this is an important and timely contribution (Jason Burke, author of The New Threat from Islamic Militancy)

Salafi-Jihadism provides an excellent and important insight into an intricately constructed religious and intellectual situation... it provides much-needed context to some of the most complex and consequential events in the world today. With its elegant, engaging style and crisp brevity, this book is an excellent investigation into a subject many of us would do well to learn that bit more about. (Middle East Eye)

Although salafi Jihadism has profoundly shaped global politics for more than three decades, Shiraz Maher is the first to survey the doctrines that have animated and divided the movement. His book will be a standard reference for years to come. (Will McCants)

Shiraz Maher does a first rate job of explaining a complex and important issue. Salafi-Jihadism is arguably the fastest growing current within the Muslim thought today and is essential to our understanding of how groups like the Islamic State and Al-Qaeda recruit and justify their acts (Hassan Hassan)

A work of genuine interest and originality...indispensable (David Patrikarakos Literary Review)

In the recent flood of accounts of radical Islam, this one stands out. Maher's compelling exploration of Salafi jihadism achieves a level of clarity that perhaps could be produced only by someone who, like Maher, once adhered to that strain of thought. The book is exceptional also in its focus on theology: although Maher is a specialist in jihadist radicalization, he dwells little on jihadists' motivations, paying much more attention to their beliefs. (Foreign Affairs Magazine)

From the Back Cover:

'A groundbreaking study ... a masterclass in how to do intellectual history, and one that nobody with an interest in radical Islam should miss' Tom Holland, New Statesman

'Readers looking for a rigorous but lucid account of Islamic State's ideas will be well-served by Maher's book ... the first of its kind' Kyle W. Orton, Wall Street Journal

'Magisterial ... Essential reading' Robin Yassin-Kassab, The National

'Shiraz Maher, a leading authority on contemporary Islamic extremism, traces the evolution of the key ideas behind one of the most significant religious and political movements of our time. Comprehensive, important and timely' Jason Burke, author of Al-Qaeda

'A work of genuine interest and originality ... indispensable' David Patrikarakos, Literary Review

About this edition

• Publisher: Penguin
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 0141986263
• ISBN 13: 9780141986265
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 320