Sacred Drift: Essays on the Margins of Islam
Given the popular American misperception of Islam as monolithic and harsh, the timeliness of studies like Sacred Drift cannot be overstressed. Wilson presents a collection of well-researched essays on the heterodox beliefs and practices of Islam. The poet and historian, who is also a convert, is widely versed in Islamic history and spirituality. The first essay, which would be of interest to students of black American history, is an enlightening study of the life and work of Noble Drew Ali (1886-1929), an early founder of Black Islamic congregations. The four essays on spirituality, however, tend toward an ornamented style, and Wilson is sometimes strident in criticizing his ideological foes. Moreover, he presupposes a wide knowledge of Islam. This book will reward specialists in history and esoteric spirituality but will not appeal to casual readers. Recommended for academic libraries and large public libraries with interest in Islamic and black studies.- James F. DeRoche, Alexandria, Va.Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.