Secularism Confronts Islam

Olivier Roy

August, 2007
Cloth, 144 pages,
ISBN: 978-0-231-14102-4
$25.50 / £15.00

"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

"This superb book is a welcome contribution to political science, sociology, religious studies--and statecraft... Essential." — Choice

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

"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

Related Subjects

• International Affairs
• Islam
• Middle East Studies

About the Author

Olivier Roy is a professor at l'École des hautes études en sciences sociales in Paris and a research director at the Centre national de la recherche scientifique. A world authority on Islam and politics, Roy's books are The Failure of Political Islam, The New Central Asia: The Creation of Nations, Globalized Islam: The Search for a New Ummah, and, with Mariam Abou Zahab, Islamist Networks: The Afghan-Pakistan Connection.

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