Anti-Americanism is a far from homogenous phenomenon, even in the Islamic world, where the press would sometimes want to convince us that a near-unanimous hostility to the United States exists. This book, by dint of on-the-ground research into Muslim views of the 'Great Satan', shows that far more sophisticated explanations are called for.

From this comprehensive account, it emerges that the tide of opinion does not flow in a single direction, and there are many opportunities for mutual respect and understanding to grow between the United States and some of its more vocal critics.