"The Sum of All Heresies" by Fredrick Quinn Book Review

A very well written and easy to read, narrative style historical account of many of the different images the west has had of Islam; factors that influenced the image of Islam even before the rise of Islam in the Arab world. This book is by far the best historical record of the impact of scholarly works and arts on the subject of Islam upon the Western world. Everything from the first translation of the Quran in the west to how Rumi became part of the American academic world. are discussed in the west.

The interview with at the end of the book with Kenneth Cragg seems to a little out of place which focusing inter-faith dialogue. The book moves quickly in regards to the issue of the impact of movies (with Islamic themes) but a good historical account nonetheless. One unique aspect of this book is that it documents the transferring of the image and thought from Europe to America. Also, as the book discusses the works and people who influenced the image of Islam; he digs a little deeper giving a gist of what they thought.

Fredrick Quinn sees the image of the Prophet (saw) in four parts in western imagery, (1) as the anti-crist, (2) a fallen Prophet, (3) a mad sexual deviant, and (4) as a wise man. Then he goes into the historical account of how these four trends started. ."Islam" as the other, and transitions Islam is going through between now and before is every clearly demonstrated.

To me personally the section on the Shiners, Napoleon and the movie Aladdin (1992) were very interesting. One really gets a feel for the western mindset about Islam through literature, art, and culture accounts. As I mentioned earlier the academic books and people that influenced the current image of Islam is the most important and most detailed in this book.

All Muslim leaders, scholars (Muslim and Non-Muslim), Imams, and activists (Muslim and Non-Muslim) who have an understanding of Islam already and are interested in a historical understanding of the western mindset this book is a must buy.

By far the best book on the image of Islam in western thought...

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