'... provides a data driven but accessible counter argument to Samuel P. Huntington's 'clash of civilisations' theory ... Throughout ... Grim and Finke deal with the most politically and culturally sensitive areas of study with delicacy but also with a directness that is refreshing, most notably in their in-depth exploration of the high rates of religious persecution present in many Muslim-majority societies. By identifying the elephant in the corner that is so often unacknowledged in discussions of conflict - the very nature of Islam itself - the authors provide insight into one of the most politically delicate areas of social scientific study ... [brings] together a decade's worth of research ... a challenge to those who seek to downplay the role of religion in modern conflict and violence ... an invaluable evidence base for policy makers in all countries seeking ways to reduce persecution.' Rachel Dearlove, LSE Politics blog (blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandpolicy)