Fundamentalism: Perspectives on a Contested History (Studies in Comparative Religion)

"How many books can claim to offer sharp insights into John R. Rice, Satmar Hasidism, and Ruhollah Khomeni? In this provocative collection, readers will discover twelve essays that grapple impressively with the comparative viability of fundamentalism as a descriptive category. Even as several contributors contest the accuracy of the term, the vibrancy of their insights suggests that fundamentalism remains an intellectually generative term, even when understood as a categorical enemy."--Kathryn Lofton, professor of religious studies, American studies, history and divinity, Yale University "This marvelous collection has something to provoke every reader who has ever used the word "fundamentalism" to describe a state of mind other than one's own. Wood and Watt have assembled a fine group of diverse scholarly experts on Christianity, Judaism, and Islam--many of whom disagree vehemently with each other regarding the utility of "fundamentalism." This book is a model of scholarly argument at its best, and on one of the most important religious and political subjects of our time."--Marie Griffith, director of the John C. Danforth Center on Religion and Politics, Washington University "This volume offers a lively debate about the theoretical and analytical value of fundamentalism. Nuanced, thoughtful, and passionate in the conversations it engenders and expertly crafted by the editors, it is bound to become required reading from religious studies to history and political science."--Juliane Hammer, associate professor and Kenan Rifai Scholar of Islamic Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill "All the essays are of uniformly high quality. This is an excellent teaching volume." --Choice (LJ Alderink, Concordia College)