Islam in a Globalizing World, A Reading by Thomas W. Simons, Jr.

Thomas W. Simons, Jr., will give a reading from his new book, Islam in a Globalizing World (Stanford University Press, May 2003) on Friday, May 23rd at noon in the Stanford University bookstore on campus (in the Art Alcove).

It promises to be an afternoon of stimulating and insightful discussion on the role of Islam in globalization, in the past, present, and into the future. Below please find a brief description of the book as well as a short author biography.

Description

In his new book, Islam in a Globalizing World, scholar-diplomat Thomas W. Simons, Jr. takes a historical look at Islam?s role in globalization, identifying the historical and geopolitical trends that have formed contemporary Islam. Simons looks at Islam?s early role as a globalizing force, and compares today?s Islamic fundamentalists with earlier radical movements in Russia. As he examines trends in political Islam, Simons comes to the hopeful conclusion that present-day Islamic terrorists will increasingly be marginalized by the modernizing aspects of contemporary Islam.This accessible, timely book should be of strong interest to anyone with a desire for greater understanding in this transformed global environment.

Thomas W. Simons, Jr. is Director of the Program on Eurasia in Transition at Harvard University, Consulting Professor, Center for International Security and Cooperation at Stanford University, and former Ambassador to Pakistan from 1996 to 1998.