Product Description

The Koran has constituted a remarkably strong core of identity and continuity for a religious tradition that is now in its fifteenth century. This Very Short Introduction explores the significance of the Koran both in the modern world and in traditional Muslim culture. Michael Cook provides a lucid and direct account of the Koran as codex, as scripture, as liturgy, and as the embodiment of truth, and examines its means of formation and dissemination. He also discusses issues of interpretation for certain key verses, demonstrating that fecundity of the text for readers throughout the world.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #199038 in Books
• Published on: 2000-02-24
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 164 pages

About the Author
Michael Cook is Cleveland E. Dodge Professor in the Department of Near Eastern Studies, University of Princeton. His publications include the Past Master on Muhammad.

Customer Reviews

Like a brilliant introductory series of lectures
I have been impressed by the "Very Short Introduction" series, and this is perhaps the best of them that I have seen so far. It is like attending a series of brilliant introductory lectures - it isn't so much that it gives you basic facts (although these are covered) as that it enables you to make sense of the topic, and to get some orientation. Most westerners have some idea about how the Bible is interpreted by Christians (fundamentalist or otherwise), but would not realize that the interpretation of the Koran "works" differently. For example, one part of the Koran may be held to be abrogated by another part. At the end of the book, you realize that you only know a little, but you feel that you know enough to start making sense of more advanced books.

Certainly not light reading
This book is obviously aimed way above my head. I was looking for a short insight into the Koran and I found myself in the middle of a phylosophical discussion about Arabic script and the subtleties of 'little slanting lines above the consonantal script'.

If you are just an average joe who want's to read something before tackling the Koran itself then look elsewhere.

Personally, I gave up before then end.

Not an introduction
As a summary of contemporary academic Quranic scholarship, there are few books to compare to this one. Despite a number of contentious standpoints and omissions, Cooks glib tone and dry wit and have won him many admirers, and his doesn't let up even in the face of this most sacred Muslim text.

Yet whatever the books merits or otherwise, Cook does not succeed in providing an introduction that would make sense to people without substantial study experience in either religious or Islamic studies. There is sparce consideration of the actual content of the Qur'an - except to illustrate academic disputes, and allusions to Veda, Confuscius and other sacred texts would simply fly over the head of most non-specialists.