The Third Choice provides a compelling introduction to Islam on the basis of its primary sources; the Qur'an and the life of Muhammad. Topics covered include the sharia; interpretation of the Qur'an; abrogation; women's rights (including female genital mutilation); lawful deception (taqiyya); Muhammad's responses to opposition; Islamic antisemitism; religious freedom; and prospects for reforming Islam. After this critical introduction of Islam; there follows an explanation and critique of Islam's policy for non-Muslims living under Islamic conditions. The doctrine of the three choices (conversion; the sword; or the dhimma pact of surrender to Islam) is explained; including an analysis of the meaning of tribute payments (jizya) made by non-Muslims (dhimmis) to their Muslim conquerors. Durie describes the impact of dhimmitude on the human rights of non-Muslims in Islamic contexts around the world today; in the light of global Islamic resurgence and advancing Islamization; including pressure being exerted through the United Nations for states to conform to sharia restrictions on freedom of speech. The Third Choice offers indispensable keys for understanding current trends in global politics; including the widening impact of sharia revival; deterioration of human rights in Islamic societies; jihad terrorism; recurring patterns of Western appeasement; interfaith dialogue initiatives; and the increasingly fraught relationship between migrant Muslim communities in the West and their host societies.
#732699 in Books Hoffman Phillip W 2008-04-30Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.21 x .81 x 6.14l; 1.47 #File Name: 0975366769362 pagesSimon Girty Turncoat Hero
Review
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful. The Most Hated Man ExplainedBy B. R. MorrisLike author Phillip Hoffman; I too first became aware of Simon Girty when I read Allan W. Eckert's books "The Frontiersmen" and "Wilderness War" some thirty years ago. My curiosity piqued; I went to the library and found only 150 year old; prejudiced; American accounts of Girty's exploits during this tumultuous and troubled period in American history. Hence; in my mind; Simon Girty remained only a shadowy; renegade figure who flourished in the chaos of the frontier on the knife's edge of encroaching civilization. Then I discovered Simon Girty Turncoat Hero.In Simon Girty Turncoat Hero; Phillip Hoffman removes the veils of distorted myth to reveal the man and his motives. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Eckert and Hoffman had worked so closely together while Hoffman researched Simon Girty. Hoffman's account of Simon Girty's childhood is substantially different from that portrayed by Eckert in Wilderness War. This difference no doubt stems from and reflects the nineteen years of independent research conducted by Hoffman wherein he discovered new facts not available to Eckert so many years ago. It is research that Eckert heartily acclaims: Hoffman "has shown this very remarkable individual [Simon Girty] as neither renegade nor traitor; rather as a man of principal and courage that he truly was." Hoffman also carefully reconstructs a compelling tale of Simon Girty as a husband and father. Frequently absent to conduct business as a trader or as a translator or spy conducting the king's business; Hoffman describes Girty as a man who drove away two common law wives yet struggled to maintain relations with his mother; brothers; and his children.In addition to Hoffman's purposeful account of Simon Girty; I enjoyed the anecdotal historical gems he spread throughout his book. Whereas it is common knowledge that German immigrants settled in and had a vital influence on the development of Pennsylvania; few authors have ever so clearly ascribed to the Pennsylvania Dutch the origins of the Pennsylvania Rifle.Hoffman makes frequent use of personal diaries; letters and public documents to describe or account for Girty's actions. A series of excellent maps serve to keep the reader grounded geographically while reading. The endnotes and bibliography are likewise excellent.Hoffman discusses; sometimes superficially and sometimes in great detail; important skirmishes; wars; and treaties to create context for Simon Girty's decisions and actions. Hoffman recounts how Pontiac's Rebellion was answered with the King's Proclamation of 1763; which; in turn; created dissension among colonial land speculators; i.e.; George Washington; Benjamin Franklin; Patrick Henry; et al. Eventually; this would lead to another war; a war in which Girty chose to defend his adopted people; the Seneca; and the rights and privileges of the king he'd sworn allegiance to; King George III. Like Robert Rogers; Girty fought for the side that lost; and his reputation suffered a similar; degrading experience. Hoffman's monograph does much to burnish and restore that tarnished reputation.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great book. The book showed the Real Man that ...By Kindle CustomerGreat book. The book showed the Real Man that was Simon Girty. Simon was his own man. He went with his own Hart.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great history but it is best read with a map ...By Joseph M. LoganGreat history but it is best read with a map so you can see the locations as you read the story.
