The second edition of Understanding Fundamentalism provides a compelling and up to date picture of religious reactions against the modern secular world. Comparing Christian, Islamic, and Jewish fundamentalist movements, anthropologist Richard Antoun shows how all three share common characteristics. In each tradition, fundamentalists seek purity in an impure world, attempt to make the ancient past relevant to their contemporary situation, look to move religion out of the worship center and into every aspect of life, and actively struggle against the aspects of the modern world they regard as evil. The new edition addresses fundamentalism in the post-9/11 world, transnational religion, and the impact of religious migration on Afghanistan and Western Europe. A glossary and Antoun's readable style make the concepts readily accessible for beginning students. For classes in religious studies, anthropology, or sociology of religion, Understanding Fundamentalism brings a balanced introduction to these often-misunderstood religious activists.

"Praise for the first edition: Antoun's book is an important contribution to the knowledge of a major aspect of the modern world. It explains the religious aspects of terrorism and the mechanisms that create and nurture religious extremism. It is a useful resource for all who are involved or interested in religion, contributing a serious and balanced approach to our understanding of fundamentalism...." - Seminary Studies

"Praise for the first edition: This book issues from Antoun's firsthand observation of cultural change and religious reaction. A superb addition to the growing interdisciplinary canon of fundamentalism studies, the work argues for the cross-cultural application of the category and the transnational scope of the phenomenon.... Anyone seeking to understand the global phenomenon of fundamentalism will profit from this well-written book...." - International Journal on World Peace

"Praise for the first edition: The author's theoretical and conceptual approach to the topic is sound, the analysis crisp and concise, the illustrations insightfully chosen....." - Middle East Quarterly

"Praise for the first edition: This book's strength lies in its analytical and written clarity. Antoun makes a complex subject readable and accessible and, by the end of the book, readers have a better understanding of the motives and worldview of thosewho, for example, feel moved to commit acts of violence and terrorism in religion's name. He has achieved one of anthropology's methodological goals: empathizing with fundamentalist worldviews without being sympathetic.... It is likely to be a valuable addition to the libraries of established academics, as well as of undergraduate students, and deserves to be widely read and appreciated both within and outside the academyyy" - American Journal of Islamic Social Studies

"Praise for the first edition: Antoun's book is an important contribution to the knowledge of a major aspect of the modern world. It explains the religious aspects of terrorism and the mechanisms that create and nurture religious extremism. It is a useful resource for all who are involved or interested in religion, contributing a serious and balanced approach to our understanding of fundamentalism." - Seminary Studies

"Praise for the first edition: A useful introduction to a complex and hotly debated subject. The book is clear, has an easy flowing style, and is enhanced further by a succinct conclusion and glossary of terms." - Peace & Change

"Praise for the first edition: This book issues from Antoun's firsthand observation of cultural change and religious reaction. A superb addition to the growing interdisciplinary canon of fundamentalism studies, the work argues for the cross-cultural application of the category and the transnational scope of the phenomenon.... Anyone seeking to understand the global phenomenon of fundamentalism will profit from this well-written book." - International Journal on World Peace

"Praise for the first edition: The author's theoretical and conceptual approach to the topic is sound, the analysis crisp and concise, the illustrations insightfully chosen." - Middle East Quarterly

"Praise for the first edition: This book's strength lies in its analytical and written clarity. Antoun makes a complex subject readable and accessible and, by the end of the book, readers have a better understanding of the motives and worldview of those who, for example, feel moved to commit acts of violence and terrorism in religion's name. He has achieved one of anthropology's methodological goals: empathizing with fundamentalist worldviews without being sympathetic.... It is likely to be a valuable addition to the libraries of established academics, as well as of undergraduate students, and deserves to be widely read and appreciated both within and outside the academy" - American Journal of Islamic Social Studies

"Praise for the first edition: [Antoun's] presentation of Islamic and American Protestant reactions to modernization and reinstituting the sacred is well-nuanced and well-balanced." - CHOICE

"Understanding Fundamentalism provides a well-organized theoretical exploration of fundamentalism in the modern world. Scholars of fundamentalism could gain many analytical tools from the seven attributes that Antoun elucidates. A significant contribution to the contemporary discussions around fundamentalist religious groups." - Contemporary Islam, May 16, 2009

"[It] provides a well-organized theoretical exploration of fundamentalism in the modern world. The book provides several theoretical tools for cross cultural analysis and applies these tools through the exploration of numerous case studies around the world. Scholars of fundamentalism could gain much analytical tools from the seven attributes that Antoun elucidates.… Understanding Fundamentalism is a significant contribution to the contemporary discussions around the fundamentalist religious groups." - Springer Science + Business Media