Islam: A Guide for Jews and Christians

This book stands as one of the few recent titles on Islam that is neither a Muslim apologetic nor a Judeo-Christian attempt to discredit the religion founded by Muhammad. Rather, it is a sincere, forthright and capable exploration of Islam that is aimed at Jewish and Christian readers. Peters, a professor of Middle Eastern studies and religion at NYU, writes quite accessibly, and he pays considerable attention to the similarities and differences between the Qur'an and the Bible. He also delves into the role of Muhammad, teasing out history from hagiography and exploring what the messenger of Allah means for Muslims today. Throughout, the book contains interesting tidbits of information (such as the existence of the so-called""satanic verses,"" controversial apocryphal writings found in early qur'anic commentary) alongside sweeping, broad images of Islam over the last 1,400 years. This book will help readers of serious nonfiction gain a clearer picture of Islam, which Peters calls""the least understood of the three monotheistic faiths.""