The Political Language of Islam

Lewis, the most eminent Middle East specialist in the English-speaking world, has written an original and highly informative study. As do several other of his recent books (notably The Muslim Discovery of Europe and The Jews of Islam), his new work offers a synoptic view based on wide readings over a long career — and a superb filing system. The heart of Political Language is a systematic survey of Arabic and Turkish words bearing on public life. This approach allows Lewis to show the underpinnings of political thinking among the Muslims, as well as the great divide between the premises of their thinking and those of Western political theory. He argues that "the political language of Islam is acquiring a new relevance and a new significance. It is also acquiring a new content." Lewis's study offers all the virtues of a solid reference book plus the insightful asides and profound generalizations one has come to expect from his writings.