Radical

Well read but not very convinced by the book. Doesn't come across as sincere or truthful.

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1 person found this helpful

Inside info into Islamic world

I am Hindu and a British Indian. Naturally the view of Muslim and Pakistani is very stereotypical. This book helped to understand several misconceptions. The way Majid went from the transition from being a b boy to Islamist to a secular is very effective. I wish him all the bests in his new mission. In fact I would like to meet and talk to him. Thanks.

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An insightful book of high quality.

I greatly enjoyed this book. I have been a follower of Nawaz for several years now as the power of ideology and the effects it can impose upon society and the individual have always been an interest of mine. Whether you are left wing, right wing, support Brexit or Trump's immigration policy, it does not matter. One does not need to apply their political opinion to this book. They just simply need to read (or listen) to the story of a man whose extremist ideology sent him on a path of near self-destruction that would later shape his future. It was a very powerful read that does not support extremist ideology but shows how certain aspects of society, along with powerful religious and political ideology, can provide credence to these dangerous ways of thinking. Furthermore, Nawaz discusses his transition from his Islamist way of thinking to support Liberal Democratic values that gives rise to the argument that radicalised members of society can be deradicalised through appropriate discourse, using himself as an example. Not only does he discuss the struggles he faced from his former peers and Islamists. He discusses the tole that this journey took on his personal life also. His relationship with his then-wife, friends, family and himself. Nawaz discusses the torture he endured in an Egyptian prison yet the pain of this, for me, does not seem to equate to the emotional and mental trauma Nawaz must have endured as he progressed from an Islamist to a liberal democrat. As crucial and positive this change was, the process of losing one's sense of identity can be very difficult to endure and a path that I wish Nawaz did not have to endure, at least not in the way he did, to become a liberal. Then again, it has proven to be for the best so who am I to argue or wish otherwise?
I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in understanding why Islamists and Jihadists think the think the way that they do. I would also recommend his book that he co-authored with Sam Harris 'Islam and the Future of Tolerance' as a good follow up to Radical as it draws upon aspects of the latter for key discussion.

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This story touched my heart

As an Asian male, who grew up on the edge of London in the 70s & 80s, I could relate to so much of this. With an Asian Muslim father, I too experienced some of the racism described. But with a White Christian mother, my paler looking sisters had it from the other side. We learned balance from an early age. Lessons it took Maajid decades to work through.
God bless you Maajid. In my view you have more than made up for the damage you caused in your youth. You are an example to anyone who tries to make the world a better place.
Adam

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6 people found this helpful

Essexman

What an incredible story. A Southend lad, radicalised by racism, now changing the world for the better.

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Powerful story, powerfully told

This Is a great book. I have always been baffled as to the logic behind radical Islam and islamic terrorist attacks. in fact any religion can be subverted and used to justify the unpardonible, but that's another story! This gives us an absorbing insight into that whole world and into the world of the normal, decent muslems.

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gripping and enlightening autobiography

definitely worth listening to for a recap on Blair Bush era Middle East policies and interventions. Narwaz approaches his story from very interesting moral, legal, religious, political and philosophical viewpoints.

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Powerful

I love how Maajid goes on a journey and completely flips his indoctrination on its head.

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Essential.

I will begin donating to Quilliam after listening to this. A very important book and a fascinating story.

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12 people found this helpful

Quite simply a must read

I struggle to imagine anyone that wouldn't benefit from reading this life story. Whether you hail from East or West, this is an intelligent account and a warning sign of the danger of any kind of extremism. Many thanks to Maajid.

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