Olivier Roy is one of the most distinguished analysts of and commentators on political Islam in the Middle East and Central Asia. The author of several highly acclaimed books, four of which are published by Hurst, he is Professor at the European University Institute in Florence.
'A bravura outing, pithy, prosecutorial, and informed … Roy writes
with verve … magisterial.'
*The Guardian*
'Roy's brisk work is full of imaginative leaps, and that is what
gives it value. There has been too much circular writing about the
'mind of the terrorist', too many assumptions about their supposed
brainwashing. By examining the significance of death for these
jihadists, he can dismantle their manifold confusions.'
*The Times*
'Mr Roy, a French authority on Islamism, regards IS as the
monstrously inflated product of its own propaganda; it is, he says,
first and foremost a death cult .... He believes IS's strongest
weapon is people's fear of it ... All this is a stimulating
counterblast to much conventional thinking.'
*The Economist*
'Roy is one of the most interestingly provocative thinkers on
modern jihadism. In this excellent short book, the French academic
reiterates his argument that we are seeing not "the radicalisation
of Islam but the Islamisation of radicalism."'
*Prospect*
'Olivier Roy... gives interesting, if not controversial, insights
into the factors motivating terrorists...For those concerned about
the increase in terrorist acts (and, quite frankly, who isn't?),
then, this book is essential reading... [Roy] makes us think, and
encourages us to challenge and reassess received opinions.'
*Church Times*
'Impressive.'
*CHOICE*
'Olivier Roy's work is always provocative and informative, and this
book is no exception. Roy provides new insights into violence, its
modern jihadi aesthetic, and radicalisation and its relationship to
Islam. Without question, an essential contribution.'
*Tariq Ramadan*
'An extraordinary work from a master scholar. Olivier Roy
clinically unpacks the supposed relationship between religion and
radicalisation, warning that a focus on caliphal pretensions of
ISIS obscures the core challenges of nihilism, generational revolt,
and a radical repudiation of social norms.'
*James Piscatori, Deputy Director, Centre for Arab and Islamic
Studies, Australian National University*
'More interested in actual processes than in opportunistic
concepts, Olivier Roy describes how the self-proclaimed Islamic
State plays more on its enemies fears than on its own strength. A
very welcome and eye-opening intervention.'
*Jean-Pierre Filiu, Professor of Middle East Studies, Sciences Po,
and author of From Deep State to Islamic State*
'With analytical depth, historical sensitivity and a comparative
lens, Olivier Roy brings the analysis of jihad and death in the
current radicalism to a new level. A must-read.'
*Asef Bayat, Professor of Sociology, University of Illinois,
Urbana-Champaign*
'Roy argues for a comparative sociological approach focused on the
motivations of individual actors rather than grand theological
debates. The result is deeply insightful and deserves to be widely
read.'
*Stéphane Lacroix, Associate Professor of Political Science,
Sciences Po, and author of Awakening Islam*
'With great lucidity, Roy places the Islamic militancy of ISIS
within a context that includes China's Cultural Revolution, the
Khmer Rouge, the Lord's Resistance Army of Uganda and the child
soldiers of Liberia, concluding that what we are seeing is not the
radicalisation of Islam but the Islamisation of radicalism.'
*Faisal Devji, author of Landscapes of the Jihad: Militancy,
Morality, Modernity*
Ask a Question About this Product More... |