For many troubled Muslims, this book will feel like a revelation, an opening up of knowledge too long buried.' - The Independent (London) ' Thoroughly engaging and excellently written. An incisive, scholarly primer in Muslim history and an engaging personal exploration.' - The New York Times Book Review ' Precise. an eloquent, erudite paean to Islam in all of its complicated glory.' - Los Angeles Times Book Review ' Wise and passionate. a literate, accessible introduction to Islam.' - The New York Times ' Aslan offers an invaluable introduction to the forces that have shaped Islam. ' Grippingly narrated and thoughtfully examined. Timely and persuasive, No god but God is an elegantly written account of a magnificent yet misunderstood faith. Finally, Aslan examines how, in the shadow of European colonialism, Muslims developed conflicting strategies to reconcile traditional Islamic values with the realities of the modern world, thus launching what Aslan terms the Islamic Reformation. He demonstrates how, after the Prophet's death, his successors attempted to interpret his message for future generations- an overwhelming task that fractured the Muslim community into competing sects. Beginning with a vivid account of the social and religious milieu in which the Prophet Muhammad forged his message, Aslan paints a portrait of the first Muslim community as a radical experiment in religious pluralism and social egalitarianism. In No god but God, Reza Aslan, an internationally acclaimed scholar of religions, explains this faith in all its beauty and complexity. Though it is the fastest-growing religion in the world, Islam remains shrouded in ignorance and fear for much of the West.

No God but God by Reza Aslan