The Crucible of Islam

Within the wider discussion of the historical dimensions of Islam, few nodal points and hermeneutical paradigms have remained so absorbing in popular and academic discourse as that of the period preceding the rise of the faith in seventh century Arabia. Given the relative paucity of published research exploring the hundred years before the birth of Muhammad, it might seem to be a topic of some importance. Is there much public interest in an in-depth examination of the economic, religious and socio-political framework that produced modern Islam? This marvellous tome certainly tries to eliminate popular prejudice and mis-conceptualisations, propaganda and uncritical journalism, and constitutes a welcome endeavour towards a more integrated examination of early Islam than the small myriad of books and articles which comment on the topoi. Bowersock employs a highly engaging style in this history which makes the book an extremely accessible summary for a wide variety of students of various disciplines but also for the general reading public.