Heretic: Why Islam Needs a Reformation Now

A great book. An excellent analysis of the history and culture of Islam. Identifies many of the inconsistencies of the religion. Useful for any comparative religion course, politician, academic, or journalist. Too liberal for many liberals, it is a well researched treatise of enlightenment.

I admire this woman vastly, so any review I write will not be unbiased. She writes clearly and rationally about subjects that inflame and cause wars. Her solutions are reasonable and, as far as I can see, the only ones, but I'm not holding my breath. I have all her books. Her life story is extraordinary.

Again this woman is the bravest woman on the planet.....just for speaking the truth. I did not realize how many more Muslims are speaking out about reformation of an midieval theocracy that is threatening the whole world. The liberals need to wake up before this is on THEIR doorstep.

Human nature dictates that some people are going to love Ayaan's message, and some are going to hate it. I love it. Unfortunately, I discovered her works only recently, and Heretic is the first and only book by Ayaan Ali that I have read, so far. Her courage, her eye-watering honesty, and her lofty intelligence combine with a clear style of expression that make this a truly outstanding book. Her thesis in the book is that Islam is in dire need of urgent and drastic reform, and further, that such a revolution in a fundamentalist faith is possible. I don't know that I share her optimism, though; my own study of the effects of belief in the entrenchment of our opinions (in my most recent book, Stephen Hawking Smoked My Socks) has unfortunately left me somewhat cynical about the possibility.
But I am not entirely without hope, and would like to encourage Ms Ali in any way I can. Both Christianity and Judaism have, after all, undergone rigorous reformation which has allowed them to some degree to adapt to modernity. Islam has not reformed its message since its inception in the 7th century, and given the nature and example of their prophet, reform will be very difficult indeed.
It's time to applaud those brave individuals who literally risk their own lives to criticise Islam from an insider's perspective, and my opinion after reading Heretic and watching several videos of Ayaan's public lectures and debates, is that she is the finest of a distinguished group of latter-day heretics.
No matter what you believe or do not believe, this book is required reading if we are to get a glimmer of understanding of the human condition in the 21st century. To be honest, five stars is not enough.

Although this is not light reading by no means, it's enlightening. I had never thought of Islam in this way before.....that reformation needs to come from within the religion itself, not from us, the 'infidels.'

This book sure helped me to understand Islam a bit better. It is encouraging that someone is thinking about how to come to resolution, whether it is in the realm of possibility or not. Clearly written and a stimulating read.

Anyone interested in the problem of Islamic terrorism should read this book. Explains the fundamental problem with Islamic Fundamentalists and Sharia law and customs. Ayaan Hirsi Ali is one smart and brave person.

The is a brilliantly written book from someone with a deep understanding and authority of the subject. Having been brought up in Somalia and Saudi Arabia and then became a refugee to the Netherlands, the book documents with clear writing the philosophies of Islam that are being played out so horribly in the Middle East and in other parts of the world.

This was a really insightful well written and supported book, and about the only good idea I've heard concerning issues with radical Islam. Ayaan gives an impassioned and realistic discussion and solutions to the nature and source of violent elements of Islam. A good counter argument to liberal and progressive doctrinaire dogma. I too choose to no longer tolerate the intolerance of Islam.

Everyone should get this book to understand the mind of Islam. We cannot live in the same world as these people! They live in the 7th century and hate,absolutely hate, the Western progressive societies. Really eye opening and deserves to be read.

Anyone who is not planning on blowing themselves up in order to receive eternal paradise should read this book. Well researched, sourced, and compelling, Ayann Hirsi Ali takes the reader through the culture of Islam and paints a picture that non-Muslims need to see. This is not Islamophobic propaganda or racial bias, but a critique is Islam that thinking people need to see.

Most people I know assume that Islam is Christianity in a beard. This book broadened my understanding of Islam; as it is written by a former Muslim, I felt the book was more trustworthy. The book is very readable, and Ms Ali's courage puts me to shame.

Ms. Ali gives the insight that only someone inside the religion can. That she has to risk her life to offer constructive criticism tells me all I need to know about her opponents. Her courage to speak out against the fanatics and bigots who are trying to recreate a 7th century religion in the 21st century is inspiring.

This is an interesting view of Islam from the perspective of a very brave woman who was raised in and escaped from Islam. In this book, Ms Ali proposes that we can limit the spread of violent jihadism by reforming the teachings of Islam. I doubt the possibility of any success in that endeavor, simply because, as Ms Ali acknowledges, Islam holds that the teachings presented in the Koran, the Sira and the Hadith (the sacred trilogy of Islam) are perfect and complete. The consequence is that, if any part of any of those books is removed or altered, Islam would have to acknowledge that those teachings that were altered were not perfect. If anything is added, then the perfect teachings would be acknowledged as not having been "complete". Ms Ali is correct in acknowledging that a "good" Muslim is a Muslim who emulates the example of Mohamed, a man who, in his lifetime, tortured, robbed, raped and murdered his neighbors by the thousands.

Her theories and explanations of Islam are encouraging. Ayaan is a brilliant woman and brings incite to the world of Islam. All of her books are more than worth reading. She gives hope to our future by revealing the idea that Islam can be reformed.

I had read Infidel by Hirsi Ali earlier and learned much about Islam from her descriptions of growing up in Somalia and her subsequent disillusionment with Islam as she tasted the freedom from the fundamentalist shackles she riddled herself of after living in Holland. Now, she brings into clear perspective the reasons behind the increase in Terrorism we see in today's world. She's an excellent writer and a good historian as well. Highly recommended!

Most important to me was learning about the Muslim religion from a person who cares not only about the religion, but also freedom of speech, women's rights and a more peaceful and understanding world. Thank you Ayaan Hirsi Ali for opening my eyes and hopefully making a difference to our world today.

For anyone reviewing this, I will keep it simple. Ayaan Hirsi Ali is absolutely correct in her analysis of Islam. As she so ably explains in Heretic, Islam is fundamentally NOT a religion of peace. Additionally, as she points out, repeatedly, one is not safe to even criticize or verbally express the dangers inherent in Islam and the "Prophet." I will take her thesis one step further. As an American, supposedly protected by the First Amendment, I will share with the reader that I can not share my thoughts about how I feel and think about Islam and the "Prophet" without fear that I would encounter retaliation from some extremely misguided jihadist(s). Shari'a law is here, in the United States. If you do not believe this then, I strongly encourage you to read Heretic. And believe me, I have nothing to gain by recommending this book to you, and everything to lose were I to write what I am really feeling and thinking.

Ms. Ali presents a completely convincing case for the critical need of a reformation of the muslim religion. She provides the evidence that is undeniable. The other major religions have had their reformations it is past the time that muslim's recognize that they will not enjoy peace in our world unless they embark on a major reformation.

Read this book with the two by Michael Shermer, "The Believing Brain" and "The Moral Arc." They all go a long way toward helping us understand how otherwise smart, educated people can forsake logic and experience in order to believe in the absurd.

A fascinating journey into the world of Islam, it's origins, customs, and laws. A must read for those of us in the West who do not understand this dictum which controls the thought and behavior of more than one billion persons; and, as the author points out, must undergo change.

This lady has to be commended for her bravery. In writing this book.
I believe every American should read it- and every Muslim living in America should read it.
I would love for everyone in the whole world to read it!
Freedom is not free!

Ayan Hirsi Ali makes a strong case for the reformation of Islam. As always, she states her case clearly. It's so admirable and inspiring to see a person willing to put her life at risk for her beliefs.

A must read for anyone concerned about the growing violence from the islamic extremists. Open dialog and discussion should be encouraged about the problems in the islamic religion. All other religions are debated. Why is it PC to not criticize the islamic religion?

This book has contributed significantly to my understanding of Islam and its agenda . I have read her other book , "Infidel" , and got the same broadening of my perceptions of the most populous of religions . Ayaan is a most amazing human being . I highly recommend both publications to anyone interested in world cultures and the viewpoint of one who has been there to experience Islam firsthand .

Started pretty good, appreciate the book . however the silence and comparisons leave a lot to the imagination or a hint towards the worlds fault and not really a possibility of change. A god that kills can't compare with a God that gives.

The author is controversial, but she writes with a strong sense of herself and her role in advocating for reform in Islam. An excellent book for anyone trying to understand Islam's impact on our world.

Very good look inside the world of Islam from someone who was raised in and has studied the religion indepth. Ayaan does seem biased a bit by her personal experiences but this is also what makes it such a compelling and interesting read

Started pretty good, appreciate the book . however the silence and comparisons leave a lot to the imagination or a hint towards the worlds fault and not really a possibility of change. A god that kills can't compare with a God that gives.

The author is controversial, but she writes with a strong sense of herself and her role in advocating for reform in Islam. An excellent book for anyone trying to understand Islam's impact on our world.

Very good look inside the world of Islam from someone who was raised in and has studied the religion indepth. Ayaan does seem biased a bit by her personal experiences but this is also what makes it such a compelling and interesting read

The "religion of peace" is anything but. Here is a former Muslim woman calling out the insane practices of a religion in an extremely well written book that appeals, to logic and reason. Those who value the rights of women should pay special attention.

Everyone in the world needs to read this book, especially politicians. No right thinking person can disagree with the message portrayed in this book. Clearly and I say quite clearly a reformation is essential to eliminate the ridiculous barbaric sections of this religion. Nothing against the religion, but the scissors need to be applied to a number of pages in the Islamic reference book. Come on Islam let's get practical here!