In the Name of Identity - by Amin Maalouf (Paperback)

About the Book

An award-winning author explores why so many people commit crimes in the name of identity. "Makes for compelling reading in America today."--"The New York Times."

Book Synopsis

"Makes for compelling reading in America today."--New York Times Book Review.

"I want to try and understand why so many people commit crimes in the name of identity," writes Amin Maalouf. Identity is the crucible out of which we come: our background, our race, our gender, our tribal affiliations, our religion (or lack thereof), all go into making up who we are. All too often, however, the notion of identity--personal, religious, ethnic, or national--has given rise to heated passions and even massive crimes.

Moving across the world's history, faiths, and politics, he argues against an oversimplified and hostile interpretation of the concept. He cogently and persuasively examines identity in the context of the modern world, where it can be viewed as both glory and poison. Evident here are the dangers of using identity as a protective--and therefore aggressive--mechanism, the root of racial, geographical, and colonialist subjugation throughout history.

Maalouf contends that many of us would reject our inherited conceptions of identity, to which we cling through habit, if only we examined them more closely. The future of society depends on accepting all identities, while recognizing our individualism.

Review Quotes

Maalouf is a thoughtful, humane and passionate interlocutor.

Speaks from the depth of a powerful intellect.

Makes for compelling reading in America today. ("The New York Times") This...polemic...confirms that...the mass murder of September 11, while indelibly shocking, is not wholly surprising. (Todd Gitlin, "Los Angeles Times")