Customer Reviews
Poor, but not completely useless - By: P. Mills, 07 Oct 2007 
This book is useful only as a short book with some general historical factual information, dates & the like. The analysis of historical & religions events & developements says more about the writer & her post-christian liberalism than it does about Islam. The writer shows some knowledge of the Qur'an but shows litle understanding of the Sunnah & Hadith which are critical to the developement of Islamic thought & practice.
Do NOT rely on what you read in this book. If you are interested in understanding Islam from a western perspective try books by Bernard Lewis instead - they are a harder read but what you read is of more value.
A good history book, but not a religious studies essential - By: M. J. Harris, 03 Jan 2007 
I am doing an Open University religious studies course & wanted something to supplement the set text on Islam. This is a good run through the history of Islam but reallly spends most of its time in "history book" mode rather than "religious studies book" mode. As such, it is more a history of Arab conquest & defeat than a detailed examination of the religion that most of those Arabs followed. Also, Ms Armstrong tells the story of the prophet, & others, in quite a "cosy" way, speaking of them as if she knew exactly what he was thinking & why he did things, which is using a little too much artistic license - just something to be wary of.
However, it IS very well written, easy to read, & excellently laid out, with a very detailed timeline & glossaries of people & terminology for reference. Buy it as a high quality starter text (in fact buy it at this low price just for the reference pages alone), but if it is Islam (the religion, not the "state") you particularly want to know about, dont expect more than the basics.
Useful, but not always accurate - By: John Deighan, 02 Oct 2006 
This is a useful book for anyone who wants a concise introduction to Islam; it is well written, & for such a short book it covers a lot of ground. The last chapter is of much value in the current climate of ignorance & fear towards Islam in the West.
However, it is not entirely accurate at places, ranging from smalll & relatively insignificant slips to more important instances of over & under-emphasis. There is a clear, if never annunciated, anti-Christian feel to this book too, which comes through in occasional offhand remarks, & more importantly in a general & quite blind disregard for the wonderful achievements of Medieval Christian Europe as such. The author espouses the values of post-Enlightenment Europe (minus spiritual malaise) but obviously sees its Christian history before the 17th century as a protracted & embarrassing affair quickly to be forgotten about. I find this attitude objectionable. Hence the 3 stars for what is otherwise a good book.
The death of my prejudice - By: Denis, 19 Nov 2005 This little history of Islam by Karen Armstrong has quelled the fumes of rage & anger I have always felt towards what I thought to be an illogical, irrational & violance loving religion.
As the reviewer of the Financial times rightfully said - an excellent antidote to prejucice!
Excellent In Places - By: Adam Clarke, 21 Aug 2005 This is a very readable book which I highly recomend to anyone who is intrested in but has little knowledge of the islamic world & its history. With its pleasant style & useful glosary of araboc terms is a very enjoyable & intresting read. However while Armstrong deals excellently with the early history of islam her section on modern islamic politics tends to lose objectivity & presents evidence to support her ideas ignoring other factors & explanations. I found it also a little hard to follow the sucession of the various monarchs discussed as there is no list to aid the reader.
Despite these problems this a deeply well written & informative book. I took this book out of the library & Iam considering buying a copy, Its just that good.
