The front-page headlines about the death threats to Salman Rushdie have begun to produce a literature of their own. The present volume is a collection of reviews, news stories, critical comments, letters to the editor, and other responses to The Satanic Verses and the death threats it inspired. A handy source, it brings together this widely scattered and often ephemeral material, demonstrating both the amazing amount of material generated as well as the high quality of much of it. Because of the intense interest in the case, as well as its unique nature, this volume is an important addition to the literature on freedom of the press. It will likely be of interest to many students and library patrons as well.-- Gordon Stein, Univ. of Rhode Island, Kingston
A chronicle of the events that began with the publication of The Satanic Verses and led to the disappearance of Salman Rushdie from public life. The book includes reviews, interviews with the author, the decree by Khomeini, and responses and comments as they were made all over the world. The last section contains observations by Jimmy Carter and Carlos Fuentes, among others, on the ramifications of this furor on the future. These thought-provoking essays and interviews provide moral and philosophical observations that concern Muslims, Christians, and anyone interested in issues of intellectual freedom. --Barbara Weathers, Duchesne Academy, Houston
Documents all sides of the controversy regarding the publication of Rushdie's Satanic verses, providing an international chronology of events, early reviews of the book, and more reflective articles drawn from the huge worldwide coverage. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
