Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy. This book is a prime example of what unbiased, balanced, factual, reflective, and helpful education should be. It targets an audience of all denominations of Christianity in America, but I can even recommend this book to Jewish and Muslim leaders of houses of worship across America. I was happy that the book is not heavily laden with quotes from holy texts. It IS heavy on history, facts, and discussion needed to determine the causes of Islamaphobia and hate. This book is full of overcoming fears, hope, peace, and above all, love. The statistics are references, well-researched, timely, and relevant. The added graphs and maps are helpful, albeit black-and-white. The self-reflection questions for each chapter can easily be role-switched, so anyone of any faith can use them and examine any self-bias. All houses of worship should have a copy, so that as a nation, we can make American neighborhoods places of progress and freedom of religion.

Neighbors by Deanna Ferre Womack is a heart warming book that brings to light the many similarities between two great Abrahamic faiths: Christianity and Islam. We are shown the great scope for inter-faith dialogue with great sincerity and wisdom.

Most than anything, this book is a great guideline for engaging in dialogue of love, compassion and unity - with a special focus on clearing up misunderstandings. This vision is beautiful, and in following Deanna's example, I hope many more are able to build communities and circles of understanding and unity.

In the Introduction the authors writes; “We Christians and Muslims in the United States find ourselves at a turning point. We can either talk to and learn from one another, or we can slide into yet more fear, distrust, and division. Positive things have come from the increasing diversity of our country, things like conversation about what we share as worshipers of the God of Abraham.” The author goes on to identify the multiple religions. Their historical impact on America, starting from the beginning up until recently. It is filled with historical and geographical details, of the Muslim, Islamic, Jewish, and Christian religion. But it’s important to understand our commonalities and differences in order to appreciate each other’s culture and to get along. In the beginning of each chapter, there are questions to answer (for personal insight), so you may form a connection with the information ahead. This book is not an fast easy read. There is much to absorb.