Karen Armstrong, a former Roman Catholic nun, has written more than 13 books by 2002. She has commented on the life of Mohammed on PBS. She left the her order in 1969, went to Oxford, and has been a free-lance writer since 1982. (For her books I've read, click on her name.)

“The Battle for God” gives the history of religious fundamentalism for Christianity, Judaism and Islam over the last two centuries. It amazed me how many versions of fundamentalist faiths, creeds and cults have risen and evolved (or fallen in the dust bin of history) during this time and how many ways self-chosen people have interpreted and reinterpreted the same writings. She discusses each twist and turn. For me, the last half century was the most interesting time. She shows how all fundamentalism rises as a fearful reaction to changes occurring in the world. She contrasts well the various liberal and conservative worldviews. In my opinion, the strong in-your-face absolutism of some fundamentalist cults makes these cults something that civilization should fear and watch closely, for such cults are willing to kill and die for their fanatical worldviews. Karen Armstrong writes exceptionally well as a historian, but I couldn’t decipher her own faith. I learned a lot about religious and political history in this book. I recommend it for that reason. I think it is a must-read book for people today.(The book has a glossary, extensive notes and a large bibliography.) I was so impressed by the thoroughness of her writing in this book and in her book 20 that I bought, but haven’t yet read, her book “Islam”. I also plan to read her “A History of God” and I may get her book “Buddhism.”