DOC Introducing Muhammad; 2nd Edition by Ziauddin Sardar in History

Review

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy K. FischbeckBook was very easy to understand and read. Very informative.4 of 6 people found the following review helpful. A very good overview of IslamBy Robert F. TobeyI have read other books in the series and found them all to be very good; overviews of their subjects. Introducing Muhammad; also provides a very good overview of its subject-Muhammad and Islam. It offers the reader a good entry point to further study of Islam. Although I did find the author to be somewhat biased;it gave me a good insight into one of the world's largest religions and a new perspective on history. The illustrations really help to convey the authors points too.2 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Overly Simplistic; Almost Fawning; Western Liberal IntroductionBy The Kinsella BunchN.B. this is the exact same book as 'Introducing Islam'. I know because I bought both thinking they were two different titles. They changed the title to 'Introducing Islam' in later edition. the same goes for 'Introducing Christianity'. It's earlier title was 'Introducing Jesus' and it is the same book.Other reviewers have already pointed out errors in this book. Errors I would not have been aware of. I'm thankful for that. I have a few of my own insights from reading the book I thought I should share with a discerning audience.I was most struck with the difference between this book and Icon Books' other title 'Introducing Christianity'. The tone of the two couldn't be more far apart and is very telling as to the bent of the publishers. 'Introducing Christianity' was written from a post-modern; deconstructionist; higher criticism point of view. 'Introducing Islam' on the other hand was written by two devout Muslims (authors that have not been invited back to write any other Icon books). The tone of the book is one of respect; and humble acceptance of the claims of Islam. 'Introducing Christianity' is written from a skeptical; scholarly viewpoint. As a committed Christian I found this divergence a little unfair; and unbalanced.I have read many of Icon's 'Introducing' books. I enjoy many of them. They are challenging and interesting even when I find myself disagreeing with them. It is clear the bent of the publishers is toward a Post Modern view of things. There is an aversion toward anything that even hints of dogmatism. There is a general skepticism that pervades most; if not all; of the titles I have read. There is a mistrust of all that claims to be absolute; even scientific claims. I can relate to much of that; even as a committed Christian.Yet here we have a book published by a company that conservative Muslims would consider liberal; extolling Islam with the highest praises. The book is almost naive in it's presentation. I don't know that much about Islam; but I know enough about my own faith and Western history to know that the "facts" presented here are not as simple and clear-cut as they make out.I have heard on hearsay; that many liberal Americans actually sing the praises of Islam; waving away the claims that it is an intolerant and violent religion (insisting this is the practice of a few fringe radicals; rather than the core of it's worldview); while at the same time ridiculing and sneering at Christianity at every chance. While I could not say that the 'Introducing Christianity' book was a sneering or ridiculing work; it did not give an inch. Everything was challenged; from the historicity the Gospels; to the claims of Jesus; to the subsequent history of the Church.Why was there no deconstruction of the Quran? No questioning of the claims of Muhammad? No raised eyebrows over the dodgy ethics?Saying all that; this is still an interesting read. But you will need to balance it with a more scholarly interpretation.