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'A perceptive account of Islamic history that gives proper weight to south Asia. What can appear to outsiders as inexplicable becomes more understandable when rulers are seen as grappling with immense demographic and class changes.' - Martin Wollacott, The Guardian 'An excellent new book by the distinguished Indian journalist M.J. Akbar traces the centuries-long history of the conflict between Islam and Christianity, inflamed today by the world dominance of the US.' - Alexander Chancellor, The Guardian 'Wide-ranging and very readable account of the varied interpretations of the concept through history.' - The Statesman 'A whirlwind tour of Islamic history ... reminds us that although Islamism per se, and with it jihad, periodically falls into abeyance, it never vanishes for good.' - Justin Wintle, Sunday Times 'A must read for any right-minded Indian who wishes to understand the dynamics of the continent and must therefore understand the intricacies of Islam.' - Suhel Seth, Indian Express 'The Shade of Swords is a book of learning and a book of revelations.' - Goolam E Vahanvati, Asian Age 'Akbar makes some telling points ... [a]nd it's hard to argue with his conclusion: ""Defeat is only a setback in the holy war. The jihad goes on.""' - Washington Post 'Provocative, idiosyncratic, polemical and wide-ranging, M.J Akbar's writing reflects his depth of experience and his passion for his subject. It is perhaps his most timely book yet.' - William Dalrymple '... an engrossing account of the historic conflict between the world's two major faiths.' - Mohammed Khan 'Best at evoking sympathetically the religious emotion that drives holy wars ... His book is a succession of vivid accounts of Muslims who fought Christians, Hindus and Jews. A wide, entrancing stretch of history [that] has a taste for flamboyant characters and lively anecdotes.' - Radhakrishnan Nayar, THES For anyone interested in the tensions between Islam and Christianity - and that should be everyone - this is the right book at the right time by the right author. In his superb treatment of one of the most important and vexing issues in the world today, M. J. Akbar combines deep knowledge of both history and current events with clear thinking and clear writing. - Strobe Talbott Shade of Swords should be studied by everyone interested in minimizing religious conflict across the planet in the new century. - David Kilgour, Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific), Canada 'The book is remarkable for the candour and acuity with which the whole question of Islamic fundamentalism and related issues are dealt with - given post September 11 developments it is also very topical.' - Journal of the Commonwealth Lawyer's Association ' ... this Indian journalist has a firm grasp of developments and is an accurate commentator.' - Reviews in Religion & Theology, Vol 11, issue 3, 2004 ' ... the earlier sections are entertaining and well worth perusing.' - The Houston Chronicle 'A glossary, chronology, reading list, and table of biographical sketches add to the book's usefulness.' - Library Journal Reviews 'The Shade of Swords is the most honest and candid survey produced in print about the roots of rage in Islam and Christianity.' - www.atimes.com 'In the crowded category of works on the historical forces behind September 11, Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda, this book stands out ... Akbar writes well, tu 'An excellent new book by the distinguished Indian journalist M.J. Akbar traces the centuries-long history of the conflict between Islam and Christianity, inflamed today by the world dominance of the US.' - The Guardian 'Wide-ranging and very readable account of the varied interpretations of the concept through history.' - The Statesman 'A whirlwind tour of Islamic history ... reminds us that although Islamism per se, and with it jihad, periodically falls into abeyance, it never vanishes for good.' - Sunday Times 'Akbar makes some telling points ... [a]nd it's hard to argue with his conclusion: ""Defeat is only a setback in the holy war. The jihad goes on.""' - Washington Post

In the aftermath of September 11, the plaintive question heard on so many American lips was: 'Why do they hate us?' Most Western Christians know very little at all about Islam, and still less about the relationship between Muslims and Christians over the centuries, apart from a few vaguely remembered facts about the Crusades. M J Akbar's book, subtitled 'Jihad and the conflict between Islam and Christianity', should go a long way towards redressing this lack of understanding. Informative, analytical and elegantly written, it starts with the migration of the Prophet from Mecca to Medina and ends with the inevitable chapter on the Age of Osama. In the words of the author, an Indian Muslim who is proud of both his nationality and religion, it swings through time, memory, faith, victory, defeat, history and geography. Akbar is at pains to point out that peace is the avowed aim of Islam, a word itself that means surrender, although in specific circumstances, the blood of the faithful might be demanded in holy war, as a defence of their faith. Christianity and Islam, two monotheistic religions, have so much in common, yet their relationship, it seems, has always been defined in blood, from the struggles between the Ottoman and Papal empires to the current conflict in Afghanistan, and tainted by unedifying episodes such as the publication of the original Satanic Verses, and the brutalities of the Crusades and Spanish Inquisition. The book's geographical brief is as extensive as its timeline, taking in the history of Islam in Granada, Uzbekistan and sub-Saharan Africa, as well as in the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent. The author takes a timely look at British and Soviet attempts to subjugate Afghanistan, and explains the differences between Shia and Sunni Muslims as clearly as he writes of the days of Gandhi and Jinnah in pre-partition India. It is hard to speak too highly of this authoritative and eye-opening book, which should surely be required reading for anyone still asking the question: 'Why do they hate us?' (Kirkus UK)

'An excellent new book by the distinguished Indian journalist M.J. Akbar traces the centuries-long history of the conflict between Islam and Christianity, inflamed today by the world dominance of the US.' - The Guardian 'Wide-ranging and very readable account of the varied interpretations of the concept through history.' - The Statesman 'A whirlwind tour of Islamic history ... reminds us that although Islamism per se, and with it jihad, periodically falls into abeyance, it never vanishes for good.' - Sunday Times 'Akbar makes some telling points ... [a]nd it's hard to argue with his conclusion: Defeat is only a setback in the holy war. The jihad goes on. ' - Washington Post

<p>'An excellent new book by the distinguished Indian journalist M.J. Akbar traces the centuries-long history of the conflict between Islam and Christianity, inflamed today by the world dominance of the US.' - The Guardian<br><br>'Wide-ranging and very readable account of the varied interpretations of the concept through history.' - The Statesman<br><br>'A whirlwind tour of Islamic history ... reminds us that although Islamism per se, and with it jihad, periodically falls into abeyance, it never vanishes for good.' - Sunday Times<br><br>'Akbar makes some telling points ... [a]nd it's hard to argue with his conclusion: Defeat is only a setback in the holy war. The jihad goes on. ' - Washington Post<br><br>

Author Information

M.J. Akbar is an Indian Muslim. Author and journalist, he is also the founder and editor-in-chief of the Asian Age newspaper. He is a respected expert on Indian and Middle Eastern politics, and has published five previous books to great acclaim, including India: The Siege Within (Penguin, 1985) and Nehru: The Making of India (Penguin, 1989).

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