After providing a brief history of Islam as a religion and as socio-political ideology, Dilip Hiro outlines the Islamist movements that have thrived in Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan and their changing relationship with America.

The rise of Islam: Sunnis and Shias -- Orthodox Islam and Sufism -- Islam in modern times -- The Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and its offshoots -- Saudi Arabia: the oldest fundamentalist state -- Afghanistan: fundamentalism victorious, with American backing -- Bombing of US embassies: a wake-up call -- Eighty minutes that shook the world and global response -- Ongoing war against terror: an uncharted territory.