This fascinating book is both well-researched and highly topical. It skilfully explores how the assumptions of British and American policy-makers have developed, as their experience of Islam increased over a long period. -- Roger Trigg, Ian Ramsey Centre, University of Oxford In his important new book, Sean Oliver-Dee identifies a fresh and much-needed angle on the relationship between Islam and the West. While most studies engage at the community level, especially by considering Muslim community views, Dr Oliver-Dee focuses on the perspectives on Islam of Western officialdom, with particular reference to the governments of the United States and the United Kingdom. Through a consideration of historical factors and international relations theory with respect to a set of themes, the author offers us a study that fills a considerable gap and speaks into todays Islam/West relations in crucially important ways. -- Peter G. Riddell, Professorial Research Associate, History, SOAS University of London
