CULTURAL ROOTS OF AMERICAN ISLAMICISM
Book Description
In this illuminating exploration of American cultural history, Timothy Marr uncovers how perceptions of Islam have profoundly shaped the American national identity from the colonial era through the nineteenth century. Drawing from extensive interdisciplinary research spanning three centuries, this scholarly work reveals the complex evolution of American attitudes toward the Islamic world and its peoples.
Marr demonstrates how early Americans initially viewed Islam through a lens of fear and opposition, seeing it as a threat to Christian values and democratic ideals. However, his research reveals a fascinating transformation as these same orientalist images gradually became tools for Americans to examine and refine their own cultural assumptions. The Islamic world served as both mirror and counterpoint, helping Americans define their moral frameworks, social institutions, and even their romantic sensibilities.
Through careful analysis of historical documents and cultural expressions, the author traces how Americans progressively developed more nuanced, comparative perspectives on Islamic civilization. This shift from antagonism toward greater cosmopolitan understanding offers valuable insights into the formation of American cultural consciousness.
For readers seeking to understand the deep historical roots of contemporary cross-cultural tensions, this work provides essential context for how centuries-old patterns of perception continue to influence modern relationships between America and Muslim societies. The book offers a thoughtful foundation for anyone interested in the intersection of religion, culture, and national identity formation.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~9 hours)
📄 Length: 309 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Religion and sociology
- ✓ Explore Allmänna opinionen
- ✓ Explore United states, history
- ✓ Explore Opinion publique américaine
- ✓ Explore American Foreign public opinion
- ✓ Explore International relations
- ✓ Explore Civilization
- ✓ Explore Sociologie religieuse
