Islam: A Very Short Introduction

About the Author:
Malise Ruthven is a lecturer in comparative religion specializing in Islamic affairs at the University of Aberdeen. His previous publications include Islam in the World.

Given the importance of Islam in international politics and the widespread ignorance about the religion in North America, this audio promises to be a welcome primer. It starts promisingly as well, with the British author's own mellifluous narration. But the recording assumes too much background for an introduction and focuses too narrowly on abstruse intellectual and political issues. Most tellingly, the Five Pillars of Islam, which all Muslims are obliged to perform, are relegated to an appendix in the print version and don't appear at all in the audiobook. As a result, it simply doesn't give an outsider any meaningful understanding of what it means to be a Muslim. D.B. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine