The words and actions of the United States, in the months and years after 9/11, have done little to improve its standing in the eyes of the world, especially in the great arc of Muslim-populated nations from West Africa to Southeast Asia. This book explores the fundamental difference between the perception of Americans and that of Muslims around the world. Partly a result of a centuries-old ‘us’ against ‘them’ dichotomy, the problem is exacerbated by an increasingly polarized media and by leaders on both sides who either don’t understand or don’t care what impact their words have in the world at large. Veteran journalist and former CBS News correspondent Lawrence Pintak explores how the U.S. media portrays Islam, and how Arab and Muslim media represent the United States and its actions. He argues that the abyss of misunderstanding and misreporting has distorted media perceptions on both sides of the divide with potentially disastrous results. Built on the author’s extensive journalistic experience, America, Islam, and the War of Ideas will appeal to media studies students as well as general current affairs readers.

LAWRENCE PINTAK is director of the Adham Center for Television Journalism at the American University in Cairo and a veteran of 25 years in journalism on four continents.