Shocked by the murderous attacks of September 11th, most Americans remain mystified by the causes of the catastrophe. In concise and elegant prose, distinguished scholar Robert Van de Weyer analyzes the troubled history of the West and its relations with the Islamic world. A pastor and author of more than twenty books about comparative religion, world history, and economics, Van de Weyer is an ideal guide for this journey through our inextricably linked past, present, and future. While not diminishing the horror of past conflicts, he reminds us of the countless ways Islamic and Western cultures have enriched each other. He believes that acknowledging and exploring these crucial intellectual, spiritual, and cultural ties can help us move beyond today's hatred. Hopeful about the future, Van de Weyer describes many ways in which the three billion people of the Islamic and Western cultures can unite to build a more prosperous and harmonious world. With clear and profound insights into history, religion, and economics, The Shared Well is an ideal primer for any reader eager to comprehend the past in order to build a better future.