Since the end of the Cold War fundamentalism has been seen as the major threat to world peace and prosperity, a concern that was exacerbated by the events of 9/11, and the 'War against Terrorism'. But what does 'fundamentalism' really mean? Since it was coined by American Protestant evangelicals in the 1920s, the word has expanded its meaning to include radical conservatives or ideological purists in many spheres of activity, not all of them religious. Modern applications of fundamentalism include Islamist radicals in the Muslim world, the militant Israeli settlers who oppose them as well as Sikh, Hindu and even Buddhist nationalists who seek to justify their political agendas by reference to divine edicts or religious tradition. This exciting new book tackles the polemic and stereotypes surrounding this fascinating subject.

About the Author
A former scriptwriter at the BBC, Malise Ruthven has taught at the University of Aberdeen, at the University of California, San Diego, and at Dartmouth College. He is the author of Islam in the World; The Divine Supermarket: Shopping for God in America; Islam: A Very Short Introduction; and A Fury for God: The Islamist Attack on America. Now a full-time writer, he divides his time between London and Normandy.

Reviews
This is a gentle, civilised book, written with some style. I enjoyed reading it. * Sasthi Brata, Spectator 10/04/2004 *
The first clear definition of this indispensable yet misused term. * Anoush Ehteshami, University of Durham *
... an important contribution to the current political and cultural debates about Islam and the West, religious extremism, and the changing identity of supposedly secular societies. * R. Scott Appleby, University of Notre Dame *



Book Information
ISBN 9780192806062
Author Malise Ruthven
Format Paperback
Page Count 260
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 266g
Dimensions(mm) 196mm * 128mm * 11mm