Infidels: The conflict between Christendom and Islam 638-2002 by Andrew Wheatcroft
How did we learn to hate or despise? Simply, because we were taught to. 638, the Christian Patriarch of the holy city of Jerusalem called the Muslim Caliph's presence an abomination in the sight of God. Christians and Muslims have since regardedeach other warily and have silently thought of each other as 'infidels'. This book traces the long history of this troubled relationship. It was a campaign without end, waged with the pen, through the printing press, by the power of the human voice, and on subtle and insidious suggestions within paintings, drawings and engravings. In this brilliant book we see how and why a battle still being waged today, through the press and books, television, radio and the Internet.