Most Popular Books by Reza Aslan

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “A lucid, intelligent page-turner” (Los Angeles Times) that challenges long-held assumptions about Jesus Two thousand years ago, an itinerant Jewish preacher walked across the Galilee, gathering followers to establish what he called the “Kingdom of God.” The revolutionary movement he launched was so threatening to the established order that he was executed as a state criminal. Within decades after his death, his followers would call him God. Sifting through centuries of mythmaking, Reza Aslan sheds new light on one of history’s most enigmatic figures by examining Jesus through the lens of the tumultuous era in which he lived. Balancing the Jesus of the Gospels against the historical sources, Aslan describes a man full of conviction and passion, yet rife with contradiction. He explores the reasons the early Christian church preferred to promulgate an image of Jesus as a peaceful spiritual teacher rather than a politically conscious revolutionary. And he grapples with the riddle of how Jesus understood himself, the mystery that is at the heart of all subsequent claims about his divinity. Zealot yields a fresh perspective on one of the greatest stories ever told even as it affirms the radical and transformative nature of Jesus’ life and mission. Praise for Zealot “Riveting . . . Aslan synthesizes Scripture and scholarship to create an original account.”—The New Yorker “Fascinatingly and convincingly drawn . . . Aslan may come as close as one can to respecting those who revere Jesus as the peace-loving, turn-the-other-cheek, true son of God depicted in modern Christianity, even as he knocks down that image.”—The Seattle Times “[Aslan’s] literary talent is as essential to the effect of Zealot as are his scholarly and journalistic chops. . . . A vivid, persuasive portrait.”—Salon “This tough-minded, deeply political book does full justice to the real Jesus, and honors him in the process.”—San Francisco Chronicle “A special and revealing work, one that believer and skeptic alike will find surprising, engaging, and original.”—Jon Meacham, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power “Compulsively readable . . . This superb work is highly recommended.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

A twentieth-anniversary edition of the fascinating, accessible introduction to Islam with a new preface and study guide, from the #1 bestselling author of Zealot FINALIST FOR THE GUARDIAN FIRST BOOK AWARD “Wise and passionate . . . an incisive, scholarly primer in Muslim history and an engaging personal exploration.” —The New York Times Book Review Two decades after its original publication, No god but God remains a landmark work in understanding Islam’s rich history and profound impact on the world. This 20th anniversary edition revisits the book that challenged the simplistic “clash of civilizations” narrative and offered a bold, nuanced portrait of a faith rooted in justice, equality, and compassion. In this modern classic, Reza Aslan traces Islam’s origins, from the revelations of Muhammad in Mecca and Medina to how the Prophet’s vision of a radically egalitarian community was shaped, challenged, and interpreted by generations of Muslims, resulting in a faith of remarkable diversity and resilience. Moving through history to the modern era, Aslan confronts the politicization of Islam, the rise of extremist ideologies, and the pervasive Islamophobia that has distorted the religion’s image, particularly in the post–9/11 world. Fully revised and with a new preface and study guide, this edition connects Aslan’s timeless insights to the profound changes shaping Islam today—from the emergence of a global digital community to the ongoing struggles between tradition and modernity. Accessible yet deeply researched, No god but God remains a vital resource for anyone seeking to understand the past, present, and future of Islam.

Engaging, accessible, and thought-provoking, No god but God is a persuasive, elegantly written, and accessible introduction for young readers to a faith that for much of the West remains shrouded in ignorance and fear. Adapted for young readers from No god but God: The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam, this exploration of Islam by Reza Aslan, internationally acclaimed scholar of comparative religion, delves into the rituals and traditions of a religion that is largely misunderstood by the West. It covers the religion’s origins—the revelation of Muhammad as Prophet and the subsequent uprising against him, and the emergence of his successors—as well as Islam’s complex history. No god but God is sure to stimulate discussion and encourage understanding of the Islamic faith and the people who follow it. Praise for No god But God: The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam of Islam “This welcome addition to Islamic studies provides a valuable context for reflection about the origins of issues facing Muslims and their neighbors today.”—Publishers Weekly “An introduction to Islam as evocative as it is provocative.”—Kirkus Reviews “Wise and passionate book.”—New York Times Financial Times Best Book of the Year

“A very persuasive argument for the best way to counter jihadism” (The Washington Post) from the bestselling author of Zealot and host of Believer The wars in the Middle East have become religious wars in which God is believed to be directly engaged on behalf of one side against the other. The hijackers who attacked America on September 11, 2001, thought they were fighting in the name of God. According to award-winning writer and scholar of religions Reza Aslan, the United States, by infusing the War on Terror with its own religiously polarizing rhetoric, is fighting a similar war—a war that can’t be won. Beyond Fundamentalism is both an in-depth study of the ideology fueling militants throughout the Muslim world and an exploration of religious violence in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. At a time when religion and politics increasingly share the same vocabulary and function in the same sphere, Aslan writes that we must strip the conflicts of our world of their religious connotations and address the earthly grievances that always lie at its root. How do you win a religious war? By refusing to fight in one. Featuring new content and updated analysis • Originally published as How to Win a Cosmic War “[A] thoughtful analysis of America’s War on Terror.” —The New Yorker “Offers a very persuasive argument for the best way to counter jihadism.”—The Washington Post “[Reza] Aslan dissects a complex subject (terrorism and globalization) and distills it with a mix of narrative writing, personal anecdotes, reportage and historical analysis.”—San Francisco Chronicle “Aslan is not only a perspicuous, thoughtful interpreter of the Muslim world but also a subtle psychologist of the call to jihad.”—Los Angeles Times “[A] meaty analysis of the rise of Jihadism . . . dispels common misconceptions of the War on Terror age.”—San Jose Mercury News “It is Aslan’s great gift to see things clearly, and to say them clearly, and in this important new work he offers us a way forward. He is prescriptive and passionate, and his book will make you think.”—Jon Meacham, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of American Lion

Originally published as How to win a cosmic war by Random House in 2009.

A ''caravanserai'' is a roadside inn found along ancient caravan routes in the Muslim world. For centuries the caravanserais served as staging posts in the Middle East and Central Asia, providing accommodation to traders, pilgrims, and other travellers along the Silk Road that connected China, India, and Europe. The caravanserais were vital nodes in what was in effect the first globalized overland network and trading system. Thousands of these caravanserais were built and successfully operated. They survived empires, caliphates and wars until the demise of the caravan trade. Those that have not vanished, have become crumbling ruins, or survive as hotels, museums, shops, storage space, living quarters, or military outposts. In the tumultuous state of relations between the Western and Muslim worlds today, the caravanserais stand as evidence of ancient multi-cultural exchange and trade. They inspire the quest to find such new platforms of multi-cultural dialogue for the future. Belgian photographer Tom Schutyser has travelled the Silk Road numerous times in fifteen years, first photographing caravanserais in northeast Iran. For this project, Schutyser chose the levant region of Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan, photographing both ruined and restored caravanserais as well as the landscape and surroundings of these buildings, seeking to capture the sense of history still present in these places. His stunning, powerful photographs, illuminated by contributions from some of the most eminent writers, thinkers, and journalists specialising in the Middle East and foreign relations, combine to present a new dimension on the debate about the region as it is today. Text in English and French.

Open the door to understanding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the path to peace. This is a kids’ book about Israel & Palestine. It provides context for the historical conflict, opens the door to conversation, and lays a path for understanding, peace, and compassion for a shared future. This book was made to help kids aged 5-9 understand the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Why is it happening? Is peace possible? When kids ask questions like these, grownups aren’t always prepared to answer. A Kids Book About Israel & Palestine addresses this by giving children and their carers the tools they need to unpack and learn about this divisive but important topic. A Kids Book About Israel & Palestine features: A large and bold, yet minimalist font design that allows kids freedom to imagine themselves in the words on the pages. A friendly, approachable, empowering, and child-appropriate tone throughout. An incredible and diverse group of authors in the series who are experts or have first-hand experience of the topic. Tackling important discourse together! The A Kids Book About titles are best used when read together. Helping to kickstart important, challenging, and empowering conversations for kids and their grownups through beautiful and thought-provoking pages. The series supports an incredible and diverse group of authors, who are either experts in their field, or have first-hand experience on the topic. A Kids Co. is a new kind of media company enabling kids to explore big topics in a new and engaging way, with a growing series of books, podcasts, and blogs made to empower. Learn more about us online by searching for A Kids Co.

One of NPR''s Books We Love in 2022. In this erudite and piercing biography, best-selling author Reza Aslan proves that one person’s actions can have revolutionary consequences that reverberate the world over. Little known in America but venerated as a martyr in Iran, Howard Baskerville was a twenty-two-year-old Christian missionary from South Dakota who traveled to Persia (modern-day Iran) in 1907 for a two-year stint teaching English and preaching the gospel. He arrived in the midst of a democratic revolution—the first of its kind in the Middle East—led by a group of brilliant young firebrands committed to transforming their country into a fully self-determining, constitutional monarchy, one with free elections and an independent parliament. The Persian students Baskerville educated in English in turn educated him about their struggle for democracy, ultimately inspiring him to leave his teaching post and join them in their fight against a tyrannical shah and his British and Russian backers. “The only difference between me and these people is the place of my birth," Baskerville declared, “and that is not a big difference.” In 1909, Baskerville was killed in battle alongside his students, but his martyrdom spurred on the revolutionaries who succeeded in removing the shah from power, signing a new constitution, and rebuilding parliament in Tehran. To this day, Baskerville’s tomb in the city of Tabriz remains a place of pilgrimage. Every year, thousands of Iranians visit his grave to honor the American who gave his life for Iran. In this rip-roaring tale of his life and death, Aslan gives us a powerful parable about the universal ideals of democracy—and to what degree Americans are willing to support those ideals in a foreign land. Woven throughout is an essential history of the nation we now know as Iran—frequently demonized and misunderstood in the West. Indeed, Baskerville’s life and death represent a “road not taken” in Iran. Baskerville’s story, like his life, is at the center of a whirlwind in which Americans must ask themselves: How seriously do we take our ideals of constitutional democracy and whose freedom do we support?

Cómo el hombre creó a Dios a su propia imagen: una visión original, abierta y contemporánea de la religión. «Fascinante. Tratándose de la biografía introductoria de la que a todas luces puede considerarse la figura más influyente de todos los tiempos, resulta sin duda interesante.» Catherine Nixey, The Sunday Times Con la habilidad a la que nos tiene acostumbrados, Reza Aslan nos narra la historia de la religión para mostrarnos cómo esta ha estado marcada por nuestra insistencia en darle a Dios rasgos y emociones humanos. Según Aslan, esta tendencia a crear una versión divina de nosotros mismos es innata: está programada en nuestro cerebro, de ahí que sea una característica central de casi todas las tradiciones religiosas. Y esta proyección tiene consecuencias, pues le otorgamos a Dios no solo todo lo bueno de la naturaleza humana -nuestra compasión, nuestro afán de justicia - , sino también todo lo malo: nuestra avaricia, nuestro fanatismo, nuestra inclinación a la violencia. Todas estas cualidades informan nuestras religiones, culturas y gobiernos. Este libro es mucho más que una historia sobre la comprensión de Dios: es un intento de llegar a la raíz de este impulso humanizador para desarrollar una espiritualidad más universal. Creamos en un Dios, en muchos o en ninguno, este libro valiente, ambicioso y provocador transforma el modo en que pensamos en la religión, así como nuestra relación con la vida, la muerte, lo espiritual y, en definitiva, la esencia misma de la existencia humana. La crítica ha dicho... «Oportuno, fascinante, esclarecedor y necesario.» Huffington Post «Irresistible. Con la gracia y la curiosidad que caracterizan a Reza Aslan, Dios nos ofrece una salida a estos tiempos difíciles, mientras nos pide que consideremos una visión más amplia de lo divino en la vida contemporánea.» The Seattle Times «Una exploración fascinante de la interacción de nuestra humanidad y Dios.» Pittsburgh Post-Gazette «El delgado pero ambicioso libro de Aslan es la historia de cómo los humanos han creado a Dios con una G mayúscula, y es completamente alucinante.» Los Angeles Review of Books «Aslan es un narrador nato, y hay mucho que disfrutar en esta inteligente investigación.» San Francisco Chronicle «Extraordinario. Claro, conciso y ameno.» The Spectator

Aslan raconte le Jésus d''avant le crucifiement : un homme passionné et parfois contradictoire. Il prône la paix mais exhorte ses partisans à prendre l''épée. Il guérit les malades mais refuse d''être payé. Prêcheur charismatique, il parcourt la Galilée en levant une armée de disciples pour établir le royaume de Dieu sur terre. Zélote révolutionnaire, il défie l''autorité de la classe sacerdotale à Jérusalem.

Best-seller internacional que mobilizou a opinião pública Uma impressionante história de Jesus, de sua época conturbada e do nascimento do cristianismo. Em uma narrativa de tirar o fôlego, Zelota oferece uma nova perspectiva sobre aquela que talvez seja a história mais extraordinária da humanidade, e afirma a natureza radical e transformadora da vida e da missão de Jesus de Nazaré. Baseado em uma pesquisa meticulosa, o escritor e especialista em religião Reza Aslan mergulha na turbulenta época em que Jesus viveu, reconstruindo com maestria a Palestina do século I em busca do Jesus histórico. E encontra um rebelde carismático que desafiava as autoridades de Roma e a alta hierarquia religiosa judaica. Aslan descreve um homem cheio de convicção, paixão e contradições; e aborda as razões por que a Igreja cristã preferiu promover a imagem de Jesus como um mestre espiritual pacífico em vez do revolucionário politicamente conscientizado que foi. "Uma leitura fascinante." Cora Rónai, O Globo "Leitura acessível e compulsiva, este livro magnífico é altamente recomendável." Publishers Weekly Fascinante. ... Aslan sintetiza evangelho e erudição para criar um relato original." The New Yorker "A obstinação de Aslan com os fatos históricos e humanos acaba por ser muito mais interessante que a teologia dogmática. ... Um livro contundente e profundamente político, que honra e faz justiça ao Jesus real." San Francisco Chronicle "Aslan não está interessado em atacar a religião ou mesmo a Igreja, muito menos em comparar desfavoravelmente o cristianismo com outra religião. ... Você não precisa perder sua fé para aprender, neste livro cativante, muito do que é realmente essencial e pertinente nessa história." Booklist

From the internationally bestselling author of No god but God comes a fascinating, provocative, and meticulously researched biography that challenges long-held assumptions about the man we know as Jesus of Nazareth. Two thousand years ago, an itinerant Jewish preacher and miracle worker walked across the Galilee, gathering followers to establish what he called the “Kingdom of God.” The revolutionary movement he launched was so threatening to the established order that he was captured, tortured, and executed as a state criminal. Within decades after his shameful death, his followers would call him God. Sifting through centuries of mythmaking, Reza Aslan sheds new light on one of history''s most influential and enigmatic characters by examining Jesus through the lens of the tumultuous era in which he lived: first-century Palestine, an age awash in apocalyptic fervor. Scores of Jewish prophets, preachers, and would-be messiahs wandered through the Holy Land, bearing messages from God. This was the age of zealotry—a fervent nationalism that made resistance to the Roman occupation a sacred duty incumbent on all Jews. And few figures better exemplified this principle than the charismatic Galilean who defied both the imperial authorities and their allies in the Jewish religious hierarchy. Balancing the Jesus of the Gospels against the historical sources, Aslan describes a man full of conviction and passion, yet rife with contradiction; a man of peace who exhorted his followers to arm themselves with swords; an exorcist and faith healer who urged his disciples to keep his identity a secret; and ultimately the seditious “King of the Jews” whose promise of liberation from Rome went unfulfilled in his brief lifetime. Aslan explores the reasons why the early Christian church preferred to promulgate an image of Jesus as a peaceful spiritual teacher rather than a politically conscious revolutionary. And he grapples with the riddle of how Jesus understood himself, the mystery that is at the heart of all subsequent claims about his divinity. Zealot yields a fresh perspective on one of the greatest stories ever told even as it affirms the radical and transformative nature of Jesus of Nazareth''s life and mission. The result is a thought-provoking, elegantly written biography with the pulse of a fast-paced novel: a singularly brilliant portrait of a man, a time, and the birth of a religion.Praise for Zealot “Riveting . . . Aslan synthesizes Scripture and scholarship to create an original account.”—The New Yorker“A lucid, intelligent page-turner.”—Los Angeles Times “Fascinatingly and convincingly drawn . . . Aslan may come as close as one can to respecting those who revere Jesus as the peace-loving, turn-the-other-cheek, true son of God depicted in modern Christianity, even as he knocks down that image.”—The Seattle Times “[Aslan''s] literary talent is as essential to the effect of Zealot as are his scholarly and journalistic chops. . . . A vivid, persuasive portrait.”—Salon “This tough-minded, deeply political book does full justice to the real Jesus, and honors him in the process.”—San Francisco Chronicle

By treating Global Jihadism as a social movement and noting the parallels between it and similar movements of the last century--all of which were replete with individuals who existed on the radical fringes of the political spectrum and all of which brought together a wide array of political views, ethnic backgrounds, socioeconomic statuses, and ideological causes under a master frame in which grievances were identified, blame assigned, solutions suggested, and participants mobilized--can we more effectively confront the security challenges posed by this little understood but much-feared ideology. The lesson to be learned from the rise and fall of the last century''s social movements is that only when the movements'' grievances were addressed and their specific concerns gradually "co-opted" into mainstream society, were the movements'' members de-radicalized.