Contents
Preface
Chronology
1 BEGINNINGS
The Prophet (570-632)
The Rashidun (632-661)
The First Fitnah
2 DEVELOPMENT
The Umayyads and the Second Fitnah
The Religious Movement
The Last Years of the Umayyads (705-750)
The Abbasids: The High Caliphal Period (750-935)
The Esoteric Movements
3 CULMINATION
A New Order (935-1258)
The Crusades
Expansion
The Mongols (1220-1500)
4 ISLAM TRIUMPHANT
Imperial Islam (1500-1700)
The Safavid Empire
The Moghul Empire
The Ottoman Empire
5 ISLAM AGONISTES
The Arrival of the West (1750-2000)
What is a Modern Muslim State?
Fundamentalism
Muslims in a Minority
The Way Forward
Key Figures in the History of Islam
Glossary of Arabic Terms
Notes
Suggestions for Further Reading
Index
Copyright
===
Follow the author
Karen ArmstrongKaren Armstrong
Follow
Islam: A Short History (UNIVERSAL HISTORY)
by Karen Armstrong (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars (777)
One of the world's foremost commentators on religious affairs on the history (and destiny) of the world's most misunderstood religion.
In the public mind, Islam is a religion of extremes: it is the world's fastest growing faith; more than three-quarters of the world's refugees are Islamic; it has produced government by authoritarian monarchies in Saudi Arabia and ultra-republicans in Iran. Whether we are reading about civil war in Algeria or Afghanistan, the struggle for the soul of Turkey, or political turmoil in Pakistan or Malaysia, the Islamic context permeates all these situations.
Karen Armstrong's elegant and concise book traces how Islam grew from the other religions of the book, Judaism and Christianity; introduces us to the character of Muhammed; and demonstrates that for much of its history, the religion has been a force for enlightenment that promoted liberties for women and allowed the arts and sciences to flourish.
ISLAM shows how this progressive legacy is today often set aside as the faith struggles to come to terms with the economic and political weakness of most of its believers and with the forces of modernity itself.
R
Review
“A small gem bristling with insight.” —The Washington Post
“A valuable corrective to the hostile caricatures of Islam that circulate in the English-speaking world. . . . Engaging and provocative.” —The New York Times
“Karen Armstrong, a respected and popular author of several books about religion . . . takes on a useful and formidable task in presenting the history of Islam in a single short volume. As many other such works have been written either by apologists or by those hostile to Islam, Armstrong’s comprehensive and sympathetic work is welcome.” —Los Angeles Times
“In Armstrong’s brisk narrative, the clichés evaporate fast. . . . A book like this is suddenly essential." —Entertainment Weekly
From the Publisher
Karen Armstrong spent seven years as a Roman Catholic nun, an experience she recalls in her two volumes of autobiography, Through the Narrow Gate and The Beginning of the World. She is the author of the international bestseller A History of God, the acclaimed A History of Jerusalem and more recently, The Battle for God.
From the Back Cover
No religion in the modern world is as feared and misunderstood as Islam. It haunts the popular imagination as an extreme faith that promotes terrorism, authoritarian government, female oppression, and civil war. In a vital revision of this narrow view of Islam and a distillation of years of thinking and writing about the subject, Karen Armstrong's short history demonstrates that the world's fastest-growing faith is a much more complex phenomenon than its modern fundamentalist strain might suggest.
About the Author
Karen Armstrong spent seven years as a Roman Catholic nun, an experience she recollected in her two volumes of best-selling autobiography, THROUGH THE NARROW GATE and BEGINNING THE WORLD. She is the author of the world-wide best-seller, A HISTORY OF GOD (which has now appeared in more than thirty languages), the acclaimed HISTORY OF JERUSALEM and, most recently, THE BATTLE FOR GOD. She is a teacher at the Leo Baeck College for the Study of Judaism and, in 1999, she received the Muslim Public Affairs Council Media Award.
Read less
Product details
ASIN : B0053YQMUK
Publisher : Weidenfeld & Nicolson
Accessibility : Learn more
Publication date : 12 May 2011
Edition : New Ed
Language : English
File size : 2.4 MB
Screen Reader : Supported
Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
X-Ray : Enabled
Word Wise : Enabled
Print length : 264 pages
ISBN-13 : 978-1780220659
Page Flip : Enabled
Book 2 of 33 : Modern Library Chronicles
Best Sellers Rank: 253,665 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)8 in Muhammed in Islam
10 in Mecca in Islam
30 in History of Islam
Customer Reviews:
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars (777)
TopAbout this itemFrom the AuthorQuestionsReviewsSimilar
Islam: A Short History (UNIVERSAL HISTORY)
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Follow
Karen Armstrong
Karen Armstrong is the author of numerous other books on religious affairs-including A History of God, The Battle for God, Holy War, Islam, Buddha, and The Great Transformation-and two memoirs, Through the Narrow Gate and The Spiral Staircase. Her work has been translated into forty-five languages. She has addressed members of the U.S. Congress on three occasions; lectured to policy makers at the U.S. State Department; participated in the World Economic Forum in New York, Jordan, and Davos; addressed the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington and New York; is increasingly invited to speak in Muslim countries; and is now an ambassador for the UN Alliance of Civilizations. In February 2008 she was awarded the TED Prize and is currently working with TED on a major international project to launch and propagate a Charter for Compassion, created online by the general public and crafted by leading thinkers in Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism, to be signed in the fall of 2009 by a thousand religious and secular leaders. She lives in London.
Read less about this author
===
Follow the author
Karen ArmstrongKaren Armstrong
Follow
Islam: A Short History (UNIVERSAL HISTORY)
by Karen Armstrong (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars (777)
One of the world's foremost commentators on religious affairs on the history (and destiny) of the world's most misunderstood religion.
In the public mind, Islam is a religion of extremes: it is the world's fastest growing faith; more than three-quarters of the world's refugees are Islamic; it has produced government by authoritarian monarchies in Saudi Arabia and ultra-republicans in Iran. Whether we are reading about civil war in Algeria or Afghanistan, the struggle for the soul of Turkey, or political turmoil in Pakistan or Malaysia, the Islamic context permeates all these situations.
Karen Armstrong's elegant and concise book traces how Islam grew from the other religions of the book, Judaism and Christianity; introduces us to the character of Muhammed; and demonstrates that for much of its history, the religion has been a force for enlightenment that promoted liberties for women and allowed the arts and sciences to flourish.
ISLAM shows how this progressive legacy is today often set aside as the faith struggles to come to terms with the economic and political weakness of most of its believers and with the forces of modernity itself.
R
Review
“A small gem bristling with insight.” —The Washington Post
“A valuable corrective to the hostile caricatures of Islam that circulate in the English-speaking world. . . . Engaging and provocative.” —The New York Times
“Karen Armstrong, a respected and popular author of several books about religion . . . takes on a useful and formidable task in presenting the history of Islam in a single short volume. As many other such works have been written either by apologists or by those hostile to Islam, Armstrong’s comprehensive and sympathetic work is welcome.” —Los Angeles Times
“In Armstrong’s brisk narrative, the clichés evaporate fast. . . . A book like this is suddenly essential." —Entertainment Weekly
From the Publisher
Karen Armstrong spent seven years as a Roman Catholic nun, an experience she recalls in her two volumes of autobiography, Through the Narrow Gate and The Beginning of the World. She is the author of the international bestseller A History of God, the acclaimed A History of Jerusalem and more recently, The Battle for God.
From the Back Cover
No religion in the modern world is as feared and misunderstood as Islam. It haunts the popular imagination as an extreme faith that promotes terrorism, authoritarian government, female oppression, and civil war. In a vital revision of this narrow view of Islam and a distillation of years of thinking and writing about the subject, Karen Armstrong's short history demonstrates that the world's fastest-growing faith is a much more complex phenomenon than its modern fundamentalist strain might suggest.
About the Author
Karen Armstrong spent seven years as a Roman Catholic nun, an experience she recollected in her two volumes of best-selling autobiography, THROUGH THE NARROW GATE and BEGINNING THE WORLD. She is the author of the world-wide best-seller, A HISTORY OF GOD (which has now appeared in more than thirty languages), the acclaimed HISTORY OF JERUSALEM and, most recently, THE BATTLE FOR GOD. She is a teacher at the Leo Baeck College for the Study of Judaism and, in 1999, she received the Muslim Public Affairs Council Media Award.
Read less
Product details
ASIN : B0053YQMUK
Publisher : Weidenfeld & Nicolson
Accessibility : Learn more
Publication date : 12 May 2011
Edition : New Ed
Language : English
File size : 2.4 MB
Screen Reader : Supported
Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
X-Ray : Enabled
Word Wise : Enabled
Print length : 264 pages
ISBN-13 : 978-1780220659
Page Flip : Enabled
Book 2 of 33 : Modern Library Chronicles
Best Sellers Rank: 253,665 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)8 in Muhammed in Islam
10 in Mecca in Islam
30 in History of Islam
Customer Reviews:
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars (777)
TopAbout this itemFrom the AuthorQuestionsReviewsSimilar
Islam: A Short History (UNIVERSAL HISTORY)About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Follow
Karen Armstrong
Karen Armstrong is the author of numerous other books on religious affairs-including A History of God, The Battle for God, Holy War, Islam, Buddha, and The Great Transformation-and two memoirs, Through the Narrow Gate and The Spiral Staircase. Her work has been translated into forty-five languages. She has addressed members of the U.S. Congress on three occasions; lectured to policy makers at the U.S. State Department; participated in the World Economic Forum in New York, Jordan, and Davos; addressed the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington and New York; is increasingly invited to speak in Muslim countries; and is now an ambassador for the UN Alliance of Civilizations. In February 2008 she was awarded the TED Prize and is currently working with TED on a major international project to launch and propagate a Charter for Compassion, created online by the general public and crafted by leading thinkers in Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism, to be signed in the fall of 2009 by a thousand religious and secular leaders. She lives in London.
Read less about this author
===
212 customer reviews
From Australia
- Good back ground
- Reviewed in Australia on 16 March 2022I really liked that the author has in under 200 pages, provided a thorough historical summary on Islam, up to the point of explaining our present situation of apparent conflict between the west and Islam. Her insights are balanced, fair, and she will change your views on how the west must handle the Islamic world.
From other countries
- Zoheb IqbalReviewed in India on 18 January 2026
Excellent book
Excellent book to read by an unbiased author. Well researched. - KiraReviewed in the United Kingdom on 24 August 2024
A long review but important to read. Must have book.
Islam: A Short History covers a lot of ground, tracing the long and complex history of Islam and its interactions with Western politics. What I found particularly valuable was how the book helped me see the difference between the true teachings of the Quran and the way some aspects, like Shariah law, have been interpreted over time. It reinforced the idea that while Islam as a religion is perfect, Muslims themselves are flawed, just like everyone else.
Reading this book actually deepened my love for Islam in a way I didn’t expect. It gave me a better understanding of the religion’s history and the intentions behind its teachings, which has been really eye-opening. Armstrong also does a great job of explaining the impact of events like the Crusades and Western interventions in the Islamic world, showing that many conflicts we often blame on religion are really more about political power and how religion gets used as a tool.
One of the most interesting parts of the book was its take on secularism. While I’m not against secular governments—countries like France and Turkey come to mind—Armstrong points out that secularism has its own history of violence and oppression. It’s easy to think of secularism as a peaceful alternative to religion, but the book shows that it can be just as oppressive when it tries to control or suppress religious expression.
The book also sheds light on the colonial legacy of Western powers, especially Britain, in places like India and Syria. It’s a good reminder that while we often criticize the Islamic world, the West has its own share of responsibility for the conflicts we see today. This really made me rethink the idea of the West being on a moral high ground—it’s more complicated than that.
But what I really appreciated was how Armstrong also highlights the good things about the democratic West. A lot of us want to enjoy the freedoms, democracy, and cultural richness of Europe and the U.S., but without giving up our religious identity. The book shows that this balance is possible, and that many in the West already respect the rights of Muslims and other religious groups to practice their faith.
Armstrong also touches on a positive response from President George W. Bush after 9/11, when he called Islam a great and peaceful religion and made it clear that Osama bin Laden didn’t represent Muslims. It’s inspiring to see how some people, instead of reacting with anger, took that tragedy as a chance to learn more about Islam. This gives me hope that we can keep moving forward, with more understanding and less division.
It’s important to recognize, though, that while the West isn’t the only cause of extremism, its actions have sometimes contributed to it. The book emphasizes that harmony doesn’t come from suppressing religion, but from mutual respect and understanding. History has shown that when secular governments or other forces try to stamp out religion, it often backfires and leads to more intolerance and conflict.
In the end, Islam: A Short History is a thought-provoking read that really challenges the way we think about both religion and politics. It’s helped me see Islam in a new light and understand the complex relationship between religion and the world we live in. I’m hopeful that as we move forward, we can find a way for different religions to live together in peace, learning from the past to build a better future. - Karla GudrunReviewed in Brazil on 20 August 2016
Visão ampla sem preconceitos
Ótima fonte de conhecimentos gerais sobre o surgimento e desenvolvimento do Islã para quem é novato. Visão dentro do contexto histórico,político e religioso. - ALeeReviewed in Germany on 8 June 2019
Sehr gut für eine kurze(!) Geschichte des Islam
Die Kritik vom Rezensent mit einem Stern ist nicht nachvollziehbar, es liegt eher nahe, dass er dem Thema per se nicht offen gegenüber steht. Offenbar hat er das Buch nicht ernsthaft gelesen. Propaganda das ein Gott existiert...also bitte. Das ist der Erzählstil in dem Buch. Würde sich auch schwer lesen, wäre alles in Konjunktiv geschrieben worden.
Zum Buch:
1. Kurze Einführung zur Entstehung des Islams
2. Schwerpunkt jedoch auf post Mekka und Medina: Ausbreitung des Islams außerhalb der arabischen Halbinsel
3. Clash mit der Moderne
Bei Punkt 2 ging es zwischendurch tatsächlich etwas zu schnell. Weshalb ich dem Buch eher 4,5 statt 5 Sterne geben würde.
Wer die Gegenwart verstehen will, muss die Vergangenheit kennen. Wer dieses Interesse hat, dem kann ich dieses Buch sicher empfehlen. - GustavoReviewed in Mexico on 20 November 2024
The book is great but the quality is disappointing
I love Karen Armstrong but for this price I expected a better paper quality. - Patricia OliverReviewed in Spain on 20 October 2016
Perfecto
Tal y como esperaba. Es perfecto para lo que necesitaba. La descripción se ajusta al producto. Muy satisfecha. Muy recomendable. - krista blakelockReviewed in Canada on 9 February 2013
Learner Friendly
I generally have a hard time remembering details and following all the turn of events when reading history, but Armstrong writes in a very easy and fluid way. There are enough minor details to give depth in terms of politics, and background to the ever changing history while over all her explanations are kept simple and memorable. Her use of the proper Arabic words when describing particular sacred matter is also delightful - watziznameReviewed in the United States on 8 January 2009
Islam: Two Complementary Views
Karen Armstrong, in Islam: A Short History (Modern Library Chronicles); and Bernard Lewis and Buntzie Ellis Churchill, in Islam: The Religion and the People, give valuable insight into Islam for those of us who were not brought up within an Islamic culture. Just as we who grew up in America, even those of us who are not Christians, know a great deal about Christianity, so even one not of Islamic faith who grows up in a predominately Islamic country will almost inevitably get to know far more about Islam than most Americans ever do. Hence the need for us to read books such as these, which are both excellent and which nicely complement each other; Armstrong tells us more about the history of Islam, and Lewis & Churchill tell us more about Islam today. Both are fairly brief (Armstrong 187 pages of text + 15 of glossary; Lewis & Churchill 167 + 55)
It can be quite difficult to get a correct understanding of another religion, because so many of the books and articles written about it are either by devout followers of that faith or by persons committed to disparage that faith as error and superstition.
As you read these two books, you may be surprised at the parallels between Islam and Christianity, both good and bad. For example, both Jesus and Muhammad had very enlightened, egalitarian attitudes toward women (Muhammad often consulted with women about what to do, and Jesus made a woman his number one apostle, called apostula apostolorum, the apostle to the apostles*). Neither would have approved of the repression of women that has been so common in both Christianity and Islam. The teachings of Jesus and Muhammad are often ignored or worse by their "followers": e.g. the many murders employed in deciding who would be Muhammad's successors; "Muslim" suicide bombers indiscriminately killing the innocent even with no assurance that any guilty will be among the victims (I had to put "Muslim" in quotes, because by the very act mentioned, they render themselves unworthy of being called Muslim^); the Crusaders who would "rape and kill for Jesus"; the systematic raping of Muslim women by "Christians" in Kosovo and thereabouts.; the insistence of the "Christian" Bush administration on continuing use of torture (which was surely what prompted the slogan "WWJT? - Who Would Jesus Torture?). Clearly, both Jesus and Muhammad have been "followed" where they never led and never would have. (for more on this, see Charles Kimball, When Religion Becomes Evil: Five Warning Signs (Plus)
I have one problem with Lewis & Churchill. On page 163 they write: `Another term that is sometimes used, "Islamofascism." Is very naturally resented by Muslims in general, as combining in a single word the name of their faith with that of the most universally execrated of modern movements. For the same reason, this term is seen by others as accurately defining these movements and indicating their place in true Islam.' Now the first two sentences are true, but the final sentence is problematical. Some may think the term is accurate, but it is most definitely not. Fascism has no place in Islam. Fascism is authoritarian corporatocracy, essentially a takeover of government by big business, generally led by a dictator. Fascism is thus the antithesis of the communitarian principles of Islam as set forth by Muhammad. The self-contradictory term "Islamofascism" was coined as a put-down of Islam and of Muslims, an attempt to discredit and demonize both. As such, it is quite properly resented, not only by those of Islamic faith, but non-Muslims such as myself, who value human decency and are disgusted by attempts to incite religious hatred. For their failure to unambiguously reject this offensive term, I cannot give Lewis & Churchill the 5 stars they would otherwise deserve.
Armstrong, 5 stars, Lewis & Churchill, 4¼.
Watziznaym@gmail.com
* Richard J. Hooper,The Crucifixion of Mary Magdalene: The Historical Tradition of the First Apostle and the Ancient Church's Campaign to Suppress It, page 57.
^ A Muslim is defined to be anyone (of Islamic faith or not) who lives by Allah's rules of behavior, as set forth in Islamic scripture, the Quran. Allah is an Arabic phrase meaning "The God."
- imaloserdudeReviewed in the United States on 17 June 2016
An excellent pre-9/11 and pre-terrorism historiography of Islam
Before any Westerner gets all excited and jumps on the bandwagon of Islam-bashing, read several histories. Then, you just might be glad that you didn't say anything stupid. This book offers a brief history of Islam, one of the three monotheistic faiths of the world (Judaism, Christianity and Islam), wandering across time via numerous imams and Islamic leaders, telling their good points and bad points, explaining how each thought, what they believed, what they did that was good and what they did that was harmful or ill-thought or immoral. Armstrong repeats a mantra, trying to show that the basic tenets of Islam demand tolerance for other faiths, social justice to all, and the equality of all (male and female, rich and poor, Muslims and those who practice other faiths). I found it interesting how so many factions started out with good ideals, but ended up becoming harmful or elitist or untrue to the founder's ideals. She began with Muhammed and ends with the turn of the millennium (16 years ago and pre-9/11). It is nice to get a pre-9/11 fair explanation of Islam. There are other books out there now that will be clouded by the airplane hijackers and the beheadings and bombers and shooters of the modern era, but this one isn't clouded by their hijacking of Islam. Read it for yourself. Hi-light areas you find interesting. I did. Here are a few things I picked up (just a few). "Islam" in Arabic means "surrender." Islam does not encourage attempting to convert others (contra, Christianity), but teaches adherents that each person's particular faith will lead them to God. For over a thousand years, Muslims did NOT hate Jews; that grew after the state of Israel was created in 1948 (following WWII) and Arabs were kicked out of their land, and the world applauded. Islam has experienced divisions and disagreements for the entirety of its existence, often resulting in battles and assassinations. I want to add one final thing, something that seems to imbed much of this book. I must be careful NOT to equate Islam with the current violent expressions that a few of its members engage in, but look at the totality of its existence and how it has been able to help people live in a tough world with unfair things that happen each day. As soon as I choose to ignore this, then I must apply the same standard to Christianity, and remember that Christians invaded Jerusalem and killed 30,000 Muslims and Jews, because someone felt that it would be a good thing to do (the list of Christian injustices is very, very long). Read the book See what you think. - Guano EaterReviewed in Spain on 27 December 2014
No he conseguido terminarlo.
Útil si quieres conocer los aspectos básicos del origen del Islam, pero es tedioso su desarrollo. Es igual que cualquier religión o imperio: muerte, muerte y más muerte. - Mr Tea-MoleReviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 February 2009
Brief, concise & easy to read
Armstrong achieves a remarkable feat with her presentation of over 1400 years of Islamic history into a succinct and very readable mere 160 pages. The different strands of Islamic development in intellectual, spiritual and political dimensions are systematically chronicled to present the picture of a faith with a long, vibrant and chequered past. Major events such as the Crusades and the Mongol conquest and their implications on the Muslim world are nicely covered.
Several useful appendices add significantly to the value of this book. These include a very detailed chronology recording every major date, event and development, an alphabetical list of key figures, a glossary of Arabic terms and a detailed list of suggested further reading material
The book is worth reading for the value of the final section alone entitled "Islam Agonistes" where Armstrong moves out of her abstract "narrator" mode and provides a profound analysis of the contemporary Muslim situation vis-à-vis the West, modern technological society and the challenges of secular modernity for Muslims. Her conclusion is that many Muslim societies have commitments and attachments to their faith which they are unwilling to jettison wholesale similar to Christians in the West. They would like to participate in the modern world but on their own terms, whilst remaining faithful to the central tenets of their own religious understanding.
I gave the book 4 stars as opposed to 5 because - as a practising Muslim who has experienced being a member of the faith for many years - I was unable to relate fully with Armstrong's central thesis - namely that the supreme Islamic mission is the establishment of a just society. Her assertion is that Muslims have experienced history as a divine theophany, a manifestation of God's historical presence and the supreme Muslim challenge is to incarnate the principles of the Quran into their political and social institutions. Her research (which needless to say will be much greater than mine) has probably led her to this conclusion but my experience of being a member of this faith prevents me from fully attesting to this.
There was also the conspicuous lack of mention of the "Tabligh Jama'at" in the closing pages of her book where she detailed brief sketches of the significant religious movements animating the Muslim world since the last century. Although she talks about the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood (Ikhwan) at length (which has lost much of its impetus in recent decades) she remains conspicuously silent about the Tabligh Jama'at which exerts one of the most significant global influences on Muslim masses today. Recent sociological studies (see Yoginder Sikand) have indicated Tabligh Jama'at participants as being around 80 million worldwide, and the Jama'at is ubiquitous in the majority of Muslim lands as well as most Muslim minority communities in the West. Maybe Armstrong's lack of mention is due to the movement's avowedly apolitical nature which contravenes the central thesis around which this book revolves: that the supreme Muslim duty is the incarnation of Quranic principles into a political reality.
Overall, an excellent snapshot of 1400 years of Islamic history. - SteamReviewed in France on 29 September 2016
Disappointing
Interesting but a totally inaccurate view of what the Islam religion has become. Doesn't even mention how the religion stopped evolving in 1100 and the increasing suppression of women under religious dictatorships. Not good enough for a woman. Karen Amstrong should read-- Reading Lolita in Teheran
to bring herself up to date. - ChristianeReviewed in Germany on 5 January 2023
Blatantly biased
I loved Karen Armstrong’s book about the Buddha and even though “A Short HIstory of Islam” didn’t promise to be as detailed and beautifully written, it left me very disappointed, to put it mildly.
Obviously the “Buddha” was a much easier book to write as most people don’t have a problem with Buddhism as a philosophy/”religion” in contrast with the heated controversies raised - for obvious reasons - by the topic of Islam, but Ms Armstrong could at least have pretended to be somewhat impartial instead of giving us this blatantly biased picture of a peaceful and tolerant religion.
Apparently, the highest aim of Islamic rulers is to create a peaceful, just and egalitarian society. In order to justify that this has not happened in any of the Muslim countries, on the contrary, she lays the blame entirely on the West's shoulders, trotting out the tired old excuses of the Crusades and colonial times. The West didn’t give those societies enough time to adjust to its modern ways so that basically they had no alternative than to turn the wheel back to the time of the Prophet, the ideal man. Whenever possible Ms Armstrong avoids or plays down thorny subjects like Sunni/Shia violence, the excesses of the Sharia, the treatment of women and animals, apostasy, terrorism (basically just a few bad apples), fundamentalism (a misguided interpretation of the Koran in no way worse than fundamentalism in other religions), etc. etc.
Definitely not recommended for anyone with a serious interest in the subject. - RondoReaderReviewed in Canada on 31 August 2011
To know our future; know our past
It is jarring to find the prophet Mohammed described NOT as a spiritual leader seeking God's path but as a clever political leader seeking to unify the endlessly warring, nomadic tribes of Arabia but for this book Ms. Armstrong has donned her historian's hat even though she is well acquainted and has held forth on the spiritual, transcendent nature of religion. Under her steady hand the history of Islam deftly unfolds chronologically from conception to the present, revealing a remarkable, complex religion that encompasses many more philosophies than is typically portrayed in the West. Yet, that the spiritual nature of Islam is covered only to the extent necessary to explain events leaves a lingering sense something crucial to understanding Islam is missing and must be sought elsewhere.
Helpful for Western readers are the corrections Ms. Armstrong makes to common misconceptions such as the belief Islam has always been inherently anti-Semitic (deep anti-Semitism developed only with the founding of Israel) or that Islam is not compatible with democracy. Also interesting to Western eyes are the differences between Western Christianity and Islam such as the Islamic focus on egalitarianism and the community compared to the personal deliverance sought in Christianity.
The book is short and often wants for more detail, perhaps never more than with Ms. Armstrong's discussion of fundamentalism. She makes a case that fundamentalism can be found in all major religions and is a reaction of fear and defensiveness to advancing modernity. Her discussion is enlightening, sounds reasonable and the author seems to speak with an assurance that comes from studying the subject but greater substantiation would have been reassuring.
All in all, Islam: A Short History is an accessible, timely introduction to Islamic history. - Tirefire123Reviewed in the United States on 27 February 2025
Well written, good introduction to Islamic history
This is a good read for anyone wanting to learn more about Islam and it's fascinating history - Tim WeynerowskiReviewed in Canada on 18 September 2019
Informative, Pleasure to read
Super good read! Very informative! - Amazon KundeReviewed in Germany on 1 July 2016
Schlechter Witz - 0 Sterne!
Schade ums Geld.
Ich hatte eigentlich ein sachliches Geschichtsbuch erwartet. Dieses Buch ist reine Propaganda. Ich bereue sehr, es gekauft zu haben.
Wenn die Autorin (gleich zu Beginn) behauptet, dass wirklich ein übernatürliches Wesen, genannt Gott, durch Mohammed gesprochen habe, dann hat das nichts mehr mit Geschichte zu tun, sondern eher was mit Märchen. - Amazon CustomerReviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 January 2021
"Seek Knowledge" | Amazing book
I had an epiphany recently than many of my close family friends who I admire as well as my heroes such as Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali are Muslim. In addition to this, many of the scientific insights we have in the western world stem from the innovation of Muslims. Muslims re-popularised the classic greek texts; set up international scientific establishments in the Middle ages such as Timbuktu which popularised science, maths and astronomy; and sky rocketed literacy rates due to the importance of being able to read Quran Arabic.
My friend recommended this book and it hasn't disappointed.
Karen Armstrong does a fantastic job at chronologically documenting Islam since the life of Muhammad.
Key takeaways are
Muhammad's instruction to "seek knowledge" revolutionised mankind's understanding of the world we live in by finding divinity through scientific exploration
Islam's focus on rationality has provided a beautiful framework for spiritual self-exploration and refinement to be the best person possible. From a Christian perspective, I found the guidance on what one SHOULD do far clearer in Islamic texts than in Christian texts.
Religion has undeniable utility given the context in which Islam and other religions developed
One must separate religion from the the followers of that religion. Both can change as they adapt to the world
I really enjoyed this book. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a concise of chronology of Islamic history. No word is wasted, here. Karen Armstrong also does a fantastic job at regularly providing context and meaning
- TahseenReviewed in India on 20 September 2025
Fantastic book
You must buy if you really want to understand Islam and it’s history. - J. SuttonReviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 July 2014
interesting
Dont agree with all of it but well written and certainly made me reflect on society and faith in history - Rajul KabirReviewed in the United States on 14 January 2011
ISLAM HISTORY
I have accumulated both written and audio book works of Ms Karen Armstrong and this addition is another winner, in my opinion. It does as the title suggests, a short (Major Points) in the history of Islam. A subject, I have recently become very interested in, and Karen Armstrong's books have provided me with the overview and knowledge and directions for further study of this very relevant subject. I enjoy her style and find the material easy to absorb and thought provoking.
In all a most enjoyable read of an otherwise (For some?) rather dry subject. - Bill BradburyReviewed in Canada on 8 October 2017
Good buy
Great historical background to complex current Mideast situation. - Farida NajamReviewed in India on 17 July 2023
Informative.
Really informative book, written by a we'll read person,after a lot of research. - DavidReviewed in the United States on 20 April 2026
more bias than should be reasonably expected from a historian.
Armstrong's sympathy to Islam colors everything written in this book. The book covers a great deal of territory historically, but the bias by the author also colors what is and is not discussed. By chapter 5, the last chapter, she is more of an apologist for Islam than a neutral chronicler of the history of Islam. Understanding this before reading will make this a moderately useful book for understanding the history of Islam. - Sumit SarkarReviewed in India on 12 August 2018
Lucid and Precise
The book is beautifully written. The language is lucid and very understandable. A must read for beginners. It is alsocgood for common man means not a great knowledge of history. - R. WrightReviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 October 2016
Karen Armstrong's book is nothing short of excellent. If you are looking for a short introduction ...
Karen Armstrong's book is nothing short of excellent. If you are looking for a short introduction to Islam written from a relatively neutral perspective I would defiantly recommend this book.
It follows the history of Islam from its conception to the modern day and writes in a compelling way that holds your interest. The book explores important topics like how Islam spread throughout Europe, the schism between Sunni and Shi'a and how that came to be, the fall of the Ottoman Empire, Western Colonialism and more.
Although the book is small, it manages to chronologically summarises the history of Islam well and I can not fault this book for what it is. - jamieReviewed in Canada on 29 June 2017
But factually accurate and pretty obvious when opinion of the author is coming in
Short and appears to have an apologetic tone at certain parts. But factually accurate and pretty obvious when opinion of the author is coming in. - Mohammad ShahidReviewed in India on 28 November 2021
Nice book about history of Islam
Not biased. Can be read to know about history of Islam.
- Joe SReviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 August 2025
Islam
Maybe this brief history was a little too brief. I wanted to understand the origins of islam but Mohammad and his life were breezed over a bit. It seemed to focus on the history of islamic people rather than the religion itself. Which is fine and was still reasonably interesting. - Vince LeoReviewed in the United States on 30 April 2004
History and Desire
Karen Armstong would like to believe in the Prophet Mohammad, not because of his visions or poetry or even his special relationship to God, but because of his ability to create a compassionate and unified movement out of the chaotic tribalism of sixth century Arabia. She also wants to believe that Islam is at least as much social experiment--in equality, compassion, and surrender to God--as it is doctrines or rituals. For Muslims, Armstrong writes, "salvation does not mean redemption from sin, but the creation of a just society." That's a long way from hanging the burned body parts of Americans on public bridges, but that's exactly why this book should be on every American voter's reading list. It's not so much to find out the objective facts of Islam (though there are plenty of those), but to understand the religion's deepest yearnings and view of the world. If you've bought into the American party line on Islam, the last 40 pages of this book are going to be hard to swallow--Armstrong's litany of Western imperialism and meddling are unflinching and humbling. Violent Islamicists also come in for their own share of criticism. Alarmed by the failure of Western materialism to satisfy spiritual needs, Armstrong fears that Islam will fail in its calling to justice and compassion. The broad premise of this calling--that religion might provide an enduring improvement in social life--is the possibility Armstong is most interested in, the desire that makes sense of past and present. Muslims carry this sense and desire into every part of their lives. It may not be important for us to do the same, but refusing to recognize its grip on Muslim hearts and minds is where the battle of Fallujah really began. - O. PinionReviewed in Canada on 12 August 2017
Very Informative
With all the talk of Muslims and Islam I decided I needed to know more and ordered this book, and Muhammad: a prophet for our time, both authored by Karen Armstrong. Of the two, I found Muhammad to be an easier and more interesting read. While being very informative, this one was a whirlwind of dates and unpronounceable names. That said, I have had many misconceptions explained away, and I now have a much better understanding of how Islam began, and grew to what it has become today. I find Karen Armstrong's writing style engaging, and the lens through which she looks at the past is clear and unblemished by bias or agenda (which is both surprising and refreshing). Highly recommended - especially if you want facts so you can make up your own mind. - Ahmar KhanReviewed in Canada on 9 July 2016
Interesting
Need it - Sukhvir singhReviewed in India on 4 June 2021
Good
Good - ElginsonReviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 August 2009
Superb overview
This slim and easily read book gave me exactly what I wanted: a concise overview of the development of Islam. For the first time I understood the origins of the different strands of Islam and the history that drives them. This book also gave me a very different insight into how Muslims must feel in a world that has taken away their historical status and recognition. I shall re-read the last chapter more than once. Not just a look at the past, but a window into a very complex present. - Diana S. DanielsReviewed in the United States on 12 July 2014
Brilliant Objective
Armstrong is a scholar and an authority on religion in general. It isn't possible to grasp what is going on in the Middle East and other Islamic lands out of the context of their history and geography. For that matter, it is necessary to have a working knowledge of Christian and Western history too, to put things in perspective. Armstrong has done that brilliantly. It is necessary to wade through the various leaders and who assassinated whom to get to the meat of the book. Her points on agrarian culture and democracy; fundamentalism and also the impact of the Mongol invasion are worth the price of the book. Readers have a really hard time getting beyond nationalistic and political interests to try to understand this important and influential part of the world. USA is a young country, but if we trace our history to Europe (I know not everyone came from Europe, but European influence is primary) we would realize we share a common humanity with all its creativity and also violent episodes. It's hard to feel morally superior without ignoring the Crusades, the Spanish Inquisition, Nazi Germany just to name a few. - evelyn sarah kellyReviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 January 2024
Arrived safely
Excellent book for a gift. - Joseph N. Scholtes, Jr.Reviewed in the United States on 9 November 2007
Islam: A Short History
Islam: A Short History (Modern Library Chronicles)
This book has gotten some bad 'press' here. "It's too much History" - well that's just what it is! It is clear, concise and well presented. It contains just what most people would want to know about the "what, where, and why" of Islam. It contains a glossary of Arabic terms, notes, suggestions for further reading, an index and study questions. All in all a very well thought out and presented work that all non-Muslim peoples could benefit from reading.
/Rev. Scholtes - Zunaid AliReviewed in India on 8 April 2024
Erred information regarding prophet muhammad (pbuh)
Karen armstrong has written in her book Islam a short history that the claim that muhammad is last and greatest of the prophets is not made explicitly in the Qur'an? I disagree with her because everyone knows and believes that muhammad pbuh is last prophet of islam
Surah al ahzab is proof that its explicitly mentioned in quran
This is absurd and manipulation on the part of Karen Armstrong
- MetallurgistReviewed in the United States on 17 October 2016
Highly sanitized and not recommended
I have been reading a great number of books on Islam for a continuing education course I am preparing, so I feel that I have some basis from which to compare this book to the many others that I have read. In short – this is a highly sanitized history of Islam, and one that I cannot recommend as it is more of a propaganda piece than a balanced history.
I find it necessary to write a long review as I want to make it clear why I am not recommending this book, so please bear with me as I explain my reasoning. Let me cite a few examples so that you can see what I mean when I say that the book is highly sanitized, and does not present the full picture of events. The book mentions that Mohammad had a great number of wives, but claims that this was because he was arranging alliances with their tribes, however, the book fails to mention that he also had concubines and that one gave birth to a son that died in infancy, so the claim that he was not creating a harem must be questioned, which it is not. The book also fails to mention that Mohammad’s third wife Aisha was, according to Muslim sources, between nine and twelve when the marriage was consummated.
Not only is this version of the life of Mohammad highly sanitized, so is the relationship of Muslims to non-Muslims. The book correctly refers to the Christians, Jews and Zoroastrians as Dhimmi who were required to pay a special tax not required of Muslims. They are quaintly describes as “clients” and to quote the book “Dhimmis paid a poll tax in return for military protection, and were permitted to practice their own faith, as the Quran enjoined”. Conveniently left out is the fact that Mohammad said that Muslims should not befriend Christians and Jews, that the Dhimmi were required to wear special clothing to make themselves readily identifiable and that they were legally inferior to Muslims – their word was given less weight than that of a Muslim in a dispute. This was in the best of situations; the book completely fails to mention the times when the Dhimmi were treated much worse.
Given this sanitization, I was tempted to stop reading after only 37 pages of text, but I went on because I needed more information on the various Caliphates. I found the rest of the book to be equally sanitized and worse, to border on propaganda. I got the feeling that it was either in some way supported by Saudi Arabia (the book is very highly slanted towards the Sunni interpretation of events and away from what the Shia believe) or was a misguided attempt to help the West understand Islam by hiding any negative aspects of its history or beliefs.
What is in the book –
1) Beginnings - The book starts with 37 pages of a sanitized version of the life of Mohammad and early Islam.
2) Development – the next 40 pages are devoted to the sanitized history of the Umayyad and Abbasid Caliphates. This section of the book ends with a discussion of the esoteric philosophical and religious Islamic movements. I found the history to be superficial and incomplete and the discussion of the esoteric movements far too brief to be very understandable.
3) Culmination – This period of the book is again a combination of a bit of history (far too superficial) with some esoteric philosophy. This section covers the Crusades, but from the aspect of the wicked West conquering Jerusalem, neglecting to mention that it was first a Jewish holy city and then a Christian holy city that was conquered by the Muslims. The book somehow neglects to mention that the Christian west was trying to recover their holy city from Muslim conquers.
4) Islam Triumphant – The title says it all. This section is about the triumphant Ottoman Empire, the Moghul Empire of India and the Safavid Empire of Iran. Like the rest of the book the history is superficial and very sanitized. For instance, the Jannissaries are correctly described as Turkish slave soldiers, but the fact that they were created by forcibly removing very young boys from their Christian parents and raising them under very harsh conditions, against their will, in military barracks is conveniently neglected.
5) Islam Agonistics – This section is devoted to Islam and its interaction with the modern West. This section is perhaps the most egregious of all as the west is painted in a completely negative light, compared to Islam. The west is immoral and imperialistic, and bent on stealing the wealth of Islam, with very little on how Islam stole the wealth of the Balkans and the other areas that they had imperialistically controlled when they had the power to do so. The state of Israel is painted as a “Zionist” entity depriving Palestinians of their homeland, neglecting to give any information surrounding the creation of the state of Israel, or the fact that Jews had a historic claim to returning to their homeland, and that Jews were living in Palestine when it was portioned between areas where the Jews would predominate and where the Muslims would predominate. The book notes that hundreds of thousands of Palestinians left what was to become Israel, but neglects to mention that an almost equal number of Jews were driven from Arab lands, and that while the Jews were welcomed in Israel the Palestinians were not welcomed in Arab lands. I think that it is a disservice to the reader to reduce the complex question of the state of Israel and it Muslim neighbors to the stereotype of Zionists “… who set up the secular Jewish state of Israel there with the support of United Nations and the international community”. Nor is the book just against Israel, it is so anti-Shia that it even goes so far as to proclaim Saddam Hussein a “reformer” (I kid you not, see p151), whereas the Shah of Iran is not so designated, when in fact he was. The atrocities committed by Saddam are not mentioned at all, whereas those of the Shah’s police are dwelled upon.
The book presents an Islamic ideal of peace, moderation, inclusion and faithfulness to the higher ideals that most religions espouse, and is in effect a lengthy apology of why the 1400-year history of Islam is marked by assassination, war and despotism. It never even questions internal inconsistencies, such as the idea that laws can only be based on the Koran instead of being freely agreed upon by “we the people”, espousing instead that a consensus of a group of religious experts is equally democratic in creating laws. It consistently neglects any information that might put Mohammad and Islam in a negative light and when negative information cannot be ignored it is explained away as either un-Islamic or due to the actions of others.
Perhaps the most egregious aspect of this book is that it is being promoted as a school textbook. The last page refers to a teachers guide and there are loaded questions at the end of the book that would cause a student to repeat the highly sanitized information in the book. I did find some interesting sections in the book, but I expect a book that purports to be a history of a subject to provide the good and the bad of a situation and not be totally biased in its presentation. In short, this book is bad history, bad philosophy, bad religion - a book with a clear agenda, and in my opinion definitely one that should not be used as a school text. - Amazon CustomerReviewed in the United States on 11 November 2006
Quick, get me more whitewash.
To judge by the number of books by Karen Armstrong that you see on bookstore shelves, Armstrong's books are very popular. If this book exemplifies her work, her popularity is not a good thing because she totally misleads her readers about the nature and history of Islam. Almost at every turn in this book excuses are made, things are twisted, inconvenient facts are omitted, roadside signs are turned around, and readers are deliberately pointed down the wrong road and towards the wrong conclusions; this is not History, this is Disinformation.
Twenty three pages of included chronology lay out, in page after page, almost 1,400 years of bloody fighting for power and control among Muslim leaders, as well as the many conquests these leaders made of a large portion of the Earth inhabited by non-believers.
One howler in the chronology alone should alert any perceptive reader that this is a work of apology and fantasy, not history. In her listing (p. xvi) for the pivotal 732 A.D. battle of Tours (or Poitiers) just outside Paris, which halted major Muslim attempts to invade Europe until the first Siege of Vienna in 1529, she described Charles Martel as defeating "a small raiding party of Spanish Muslims." Opinions among military historians differ but, the estimated numbers for this "small raiding party" range from 30,000 to 400,000 Muslim troops, with the consensus number being somewhere around 80,000.
I particularly like her characterization of this decisive battle in her later narrative (on p. 50) when she writes that Westerners "...exaggerate the importance of this battle," that "Arabs felt no compulsion to conquer western Christendom in the name of Islam." And that, anyway, "...Europe seemed remarkably unattractive to them, there were few opportunities for trade in that primitive backwater, little booty to be had, and the climate was terrible."
I would say that a battle that halted major Muslim attempts to invade Europe for almost a thousand years was "important." If Europe was so unattractive and there was no compulsion to "conquer it in the name of Islam" why the major Muslim attempts to do so in 723 A.D. in France, 1529 A.D. in Central Europe at the first Siege of Vienna, at the sea Battle of Lepanto in 1571 off the coast of Greece, and again at the Battle of Vienna in 1683? I also think that Muslim armies, per their usual routine of brutality, slaughter, slave-taking, looting and destruction, were not there at Tours to do some peaceful trading for native French wine and trinkets.
Such travesties are to be found on almost every page. For example in her preface, (p. xi), Armstrong writes that the Koran gave Muslims a "historical mission." " Their chief duty was to create a just community in which all members, even the most weak and vulnerable, were treated with absolute respect." Armstrong doesn't mention the death, destruction and slavery or dhimmitude that awaited non-believers who weren't members of this Muslim Umma or community, in the formerly Christian countries that Muslim armies conquered.
Or take p. 16, "The emancipation of women was a project dear to the Prophet's heart."
Or Armstrong's discussion (pp. 18-19) of Muhammad's two "most creative gestures." One is redirecting the direction of prayers from Jerusalem to Mecca. And the other? Why, it was having his Muslim followers who emigrated from Mecca to Medina start raiding the caravans of Muhammad's own tribe and others to support themselves, raiding after all "... was sort of a national sport in Arabia, as well as a rough and ready means of redistributing resources in a land where there was simply not enough to go around." So, next time some thug shoves a gun in your face and takes all your money, your watch, and jewelry, just think of it as "a rough and ready means of redistributing resources."
Says Armstrong of the triumph of Islam over the Arabian peninsula (p. 22), "Arabia was a chronically violent society and the Umma had to fight its way to peace."
There are just too many examples of this sort of thing to go on but, if you want real history without a corrupting agenda, look elsewhere. - Nadia van CloceReviewed in the United States on 18 August 2005
Two agendas...
Let's say you are relatively ignorant about Islam, and you want to study (without prejudice!) this important and growing religion. So, you read some books on it. You find that the authors always have one of the following biases: 1) Islam is a religion of peace, deserving as much respect as any other; or 2) Islam is inherently warlike, sexist, and discriminatory. In both cases, the authors seem to make a convincing case. What to do?
You decide the thing to do is go straight to the source, and read the Qur'an. After many days of reading, you realize that the Qur'an is like the Bible and other religious texts in one way--it is deep and varied enough that one can use it to convincingly argue either position.
Next, you look at the practice of Islam in the world at the present time. You find there are countries where hands and feet are chopped off as punishment, where women are forbidden to leave the house without male permission or to drive a car, where slavery is accepted by the culture, where novelists are sentenced to death for their work, and where there are many schools that teach nothing but rote memorization and hatred. All these countries are Islamic. One can argue, of course that the same could be said of other religions in the past, and this is a phase that Islam will pass through.
One thing that seems difficult to argue, however, is that Islam is inherently theocratic (does anyone dispute this?): Islam is to completely control the government. This is discriminatory against other religious beliefs and presents a great danger for abuse of power.
It does also seem, that some of the arguments of defenders of Islam are illogical. For example, the statement (with pride) that Islam is the fastest growing religion in America, and in the world. Surely this is because it is illegal to preach any other religion is Islamic countries, and it is forbidden for a Muslim to leave Islam (the traditional punishment is death). Shouldn't defenders of Islam be ashamed that Islam is growing by this means? Indeed, if Muslims are forbidden to leave Islam, could we not regard them as slaves?
This is my experience. You can guess which conclusion I reached(2). Can anyone taking the other position show me where I am mistaken? - R. BartlettReviewed in the United States on 6 April 2004
I've read several of Karen's books. She's a nut, and that's
being nice. I started to read all the reviews here. That was until I got to stunning-reversal.com's stupid remarks, but, then, what would you expect from someone from San Francisco?
Ms Armstrong has spent a good deal of time "whitewashing" Islam. I get tired of hearing statements like "Islam is the most misunderstood religion in the world." No! No, it's not, Ms Armstrong. We pretty much understand all that we see. But, what you would expect us NOT to understand is the bloody spread of Islam by the sword, which you gloss over. You also gloss over the invasion of Europe by the Muslims. But, worse than that, you and your compatriots write glowing reports of the dynasties in Europe, while forgetting that they shouldn't have been there at all. If it hadn't been for Charles Martel at the "Battle of Tours", when Muslims tried to conquer all of Europe, Europe would be Muslim today. This was long BEFORE the Crusades, Ms. Armstrong.
And, what about Constantinople, Karen. Why is there a "Turkey", a Muslim country on the continent of Europe? I suppose it was given to them as a gift. Did you not know that Muhammad's army slaughtered his own people at Badr? He then told his army they did not slaughter the Quraysh; it was Allah (Qur'an 8:17).
Are you not aware of the meaning of the word Islam: Submission? It means "Bloody vengeance against one's enemies belongs not solely to the Lord, but also to those who submit to him on earth." Some kind of peace religion, huh?
Now, let's talk about those horrible "tortures" of the Muslim prisoners. Putting underwear on someone's head is pretty horrible, huh, Ms. Armstrong? Did you know that it is the assertion of Islam that "Prisoners taken in battle against the Muslims may be put to death at the discretion of Muslim leaders? If you don't know that,Karen,watch the videos of the beheadings. Beheadings are a Muslim practice,and have been for centuries. If you don't believe me read Qur'an 47:4.
These are only a few examples of the "peace" of Islam. The terrorists are doing what they've been brainwashed to do by the Qur'an.
Indeed, Islam was spread by the sword. I hope you wake up and tell the truth some day. - Mike MorgensteinReviewed in the United States on 26 January 2017
I Recommend Though It's Not Armstrong's Best Work
Not Armstrong's Best Work
In this book, the author takes us through the history of Islam and the Muslims who shaped it, while also drawing comparisons between its early days and what it has become today. The issue is that the latter should have been left out, as the title suggests the book is focused solely on the history of Islam. This modern analysis would have been better suited for her book Fields of Blood, where such a thesis was more effectively articulated and presented.
As for the historical narrative itself, I feel it could have been clearer in some places. However, Armstrong is a very skilled writer, and the history portion of the book is still informative. While there is clearly an underlying agenda, it doesn't significantly interfere with the historical content. I do wish it was more engaging, and i'm not the only reviewer to say it was a bit of a drag of a read. It's not memorable if you're not already familiar with the subject.
My 3-star rating reflects the high expectations I have for Armstrong, but despite this, I still recommend the book if you are trying to learn a mostly matter-of-fact history of Islam. Armstrong is an expert on religion, and there is much to learn from her work. - Amie J. WoeberReviewed in the United States on 2 August 2009
Great Introduction
I'm surprised by the number of people who were angered by this book. Aren't there enough books on Islam and the Muslim religion that are negative and blast it? I don't know a lot about either, but this was a good introduction to a world I don't think Americans understand. Because it was so short, it was a little difficult to keep up, but otherwise I think she did a great job summarizing 2000 years worth of history. Yes, it was slightly apologetic, but I don't think enough that people should be offended by it. I recommend this book as an introduction to anyone who wants to understand more of their world, without all the criticism. - Ellen K. KremkusReviewed in the United States on 30 August 2012
-Insightful and detailed.
The writer is very detailed in her writing so there is depth to her conclusions which are insightful. I feel better about the intended nature of Islam. Nevertheless, religion is about people and they become political and self interested. Wonderful goals become corrupted. I wish I could be more trusting but the extreme goals of fundamentalists must be remembered and taken into account. If I could get to know them personally one on one I'm sure many Islamists are fine people. How many? I fear their leaders' penchant to intimidate. I find Christian fundamentalists intolerable also, I'm sorry to say. How can we learn to get along? - C. Roland MarcusReviewed in the United States on 16 May 2015
Fact Laden Narrative
This is a very scholarly summary of Islamic history and, to a lesser extent of Muslim spiritual practice. I appreciated the in depth description of those issues. However, even a cursory narrative of the historic connection with Christian theology might have made the book more useful for those who are trying to get their bearings in how these two world religions have borrowed from each other. It would also have been helpful if the author had drawn connections between current Muslim practice and that of the distant past.
The author possesses a comprehensive knowledge of Islam. Occasionally her great erudition stands in the way of clear communication of Islam's place and influence in world religion. - Dave LReviewed in the United States on 28 July 2021
Very boring
My main problem is how Karen Armstrong story tells. If your looking for a very factual and straight delivery of the timeline of Islam, then this book satisfies that. However, when reading history I prefer a more nuance narrative that accounts for many elements that this author takes for granted (maybe that’s more so due to my pre-existing ignorance but still I do appreciate context and some backstory to the history I’m reading). If you prefer a more Wikipedia-esque story telling style than this books is great; if you prefer a more human narrative to the writing then pass on Karen Armstrong altogether. - John FReviewed in the United States on 18 August 2023
It is history not how the faith functions.
Informative but not an easy read for me. Lots of information , details, names and dates. Does really provide some great background history of how the faith evolved.
- Mrs. Bonnie MitchellReviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 October 2014
Excellent.
Stop wingeing about Muslims and start trying to understand them. Yeah that might be corny but if we don't we are all gonna die horribly in an endless war.
This woman is a very good writer with excellent credentials.
Islam's history is incredibly complex (no surprise, surely) but at least this short work has given me a handle on some of the main periods and branches. - StanReviewed in the United States on 22 January 2014
Quick and comprehensive
A well-organized, quick tour through the 1400 years of Islamic history. Armstrong covers eras, kingdoms, caliphate and characters with a largely unbiased eye and a very readable prose. The book is also sprinkled with very understated--though deliciously wise--comments on global history and development in general. While Armstrong's portrayal of Islam sometimes veers toward the apologistic, this is a much needed tone in the general academic discourse, and in any event it does not detract from a very complete yet accessible catalogue of the key figures and events in the timeline of the Islamic faith. - Ed BartonReviewed in the United States on 12 August 2011
Tries to Cover Too Much
Karen Armstrong attempts to cover nearly 1400 years of Islamic history in 180 pages in this wide ranging book. Perhaps too large a topic for such a short book, Armstrong takes the reader from the background of the Prophet Mohammed to a discussion of the Taliban and fundamentalism.
Much of the book reads like a chronology, with little depth into the whys of what happened. While Armstrong does a good job of providing access to the Western reader on the basics of Islam and the history behind it - including the emphasis of the political-religious entanglement at its heart, the book feels like a fire hose or a ride through a flume - moving so fast that you never really get to enjoy the experience.
If you are looking for a very basic history by an author well versed in comparative theology, you may enjoy the book. For this reader, it was too much history packed into too small a tome. - M. L. AsselinReviewed in the United States on 22 April 2003
An Outline History
Truth in advertising: This is a "short history." For a brief introduction to the Islamic experience, I encourage you to peruse these pages. You'll get a whirlwind tour of 1400 years of Islam. The prose is serviceable, if sometimes dry, especially towards the middle of the book; you may get the feeling that you're reading one of those lengthy, well written articles found in former editions of the Encyclopaedia Britannica. For early twenty-first century Americans, this book should be required reading. Armstrong opened my eyes to a subject I know little about, and has sent me searching for further information on some of the important Islamic literature she describes--if using an economy of words. - JuliaReviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 December 2019
Well written and good as text book
Although well researched and explained carefully, there were times when one conflict merged into another. I found it was rather hard going in places. The extra material, such as the timeline and maps, were useful to keep in touch with the conquests. - Alexander BerkenhoffReviewed in the United States on 25 January 2014
Good Material
Author did a good job to cover in a short book. My book is highlighted. Just adds to my ideas that Islam is not a religion and the people abuse the words that are in the Quran. If they pray five times a day like the they are suppose to, then there is suppose to be some much peace in the world there wouldn't be any wars. It is the opposite, so it is not a religion. - A. HearnReviewed in the United States on 30 August 2014
Good read
I found this book to be extremely enlightening. It's brief, to the point, and easy to read. It's clear that Islam isn't one thing and never has been since Muhammad. Ms. Armstrong details the many reincarnations, redefinitions, reinterpretations, and fracturing of the religion throughout it's long history, most of which were violent in nature. In the final pages of the book, she seems to offer excuses and apologies for the violence that is commonly associated with Islam in the West. - Fred O.Reviewed in the United States on 30 September 2014
Where are the Cliff Notes?
I'm giving this book only three stars on one hand because I can not speak for it's scholarly worth and because, on the other hand, mostly it was TOO dense. I was misled, probably due to my enthusiasm for having a greater knowledge of what the heck going on over there. I was mislead by the title to say the least. As a friend said " What you really wanted were the cliff notes". Ultimately, after reading about 200 years of the early history of Islam trying to remember names that have no historical or even cultural reference, i.e., Henry III vs. Abu al-Hasan al-Ashari... get it?
A few years back I read "The History of God". Good read for sure. - Dave NReviewed in the United States on 1 July 2007
If you want to learn the history of Islam, look elsewhere.
Rarely do I write an online review, but rarely have I been so disappointed with a book. I wanted to read a history of Islam. What I got was the most patent piece of agenda driven spin I have ever read.
For example, did you know that anything wrong with Islam is actually a result of the influence of Christianity? Armstrong tells the reader that Mohamed "loved" Jews and that antisemitism in Islam is solely from the influence of Christianity. We also learn that Mohamed's greatest joy was elevating the role of women in Arab society and that if there is misogyny in Islam, it also comes from Christianity.
When she can can't blame it on Christianity, she just makes it up. For example when she retells the story of how Mohamed and his followers slaughters a tribe of 700 Jews and sell the women and children into slavery, Armstrong tells us, we really shouldn't judge him from modern standards of morality! I guess, murder and slavery is just his way of expressing how much he loves the Jews.
This book is not a history of Islam. It is an absurd politically correct apology for Islam. I am only astounded that any reader would not see right through it. - Will JeromReviewed in the United States on 7 August 2009
A sound introduction.
Karen Armstrong, true to her usual form, gives a dense and fact-packed work that provides the reader with a wealth of information about the religion of Islam. Admittedly a "liberal apologist" for the religion, she is more sympathetic than critical of Islam, but in spite of this slight bias I have found he works to be dependable and very informative. I certainly recommend this book for those interested in getting some accurate details and perspective on the roots and development of Islam.
- MichaelReviewed in the United States on 27 February 2023
Very detailed history
There are so many Arabic names and words representing import things that a glossary is much needed.
The history is detailed and @treads lightly”. - SIMRAN KAURReviewed in the United States on 3 August 2013
What you need to learn about Islam
If you have become tired of reading news stories about islam and the Middle east, and being irritated and confused by unfamiliar terms and labels, Karen Armstrong's lucid, concise, balanced short history should help you greatly. It is a great starting point to understanding the history of Islam and its role in present day events. Where you go afterward is up to you, but I heartily recommend starting here. - FarhanReviewed in the United States on 28 March 2017
Good high level overview of Islam
Good high level overview of Islam. Considering its breadth and scope, do not expect too much detail or analysis. Additionally, for those curious, the author writes with affection towards Islam & the Arab world (which is fine -- just pointing it out so customers understand the authors perspective).
Highly recommended as a starting point for those interested in Islamic history. Very accessible reading. - JackReviewed in the United States on 1 July 2022
Very informative for westerners to get a sense of Islam
The book was brief yet concise and explained contextually the origins of Islam to 9-11. Very well done and a must read - MikeLReviewed in the United States on 20 May 2013
Sometimes difficult.
More people should read this book, even though it sometimes gets pretty deep. Islam, like other religions, has its radicals, but those few are not well informed about what Islam really teaches. There are Christians who are also so uninformed about the teachings of Christ that they act in ways that are contrary to his teachings. It's high time we start trying to understand and respect one another! - CharonReviewed in the United States on 20 February 2015
History of an important religion
This book is an excellent account of the history of this religion. It is written with a real sympathy for the Islamic point of view and how that point of view evolved in relation to that of the West. It has a comprehensive timeline of significant Islamic events, and a good index of the main text. It is also well referenced. Charon - Inge A. JodkaReviewed in the United States on 26 November 2013
Trying to lear more about Islam!
A concise history of the beginnings of the faith and its violent struggles among many of the claimants to the correct view. As always, as in all of her other writings, Karen Armstrong gives a detailed account of the claims and historical beginnings of the early leaders of the faith in addition to the violent struggles among of the prophet and hisearly followers. - FranReviewed in the United States on 6 February 2016
Certainly outlines the complex history of the rise of Islam ...
Certainly outlines the complex history of the rise of Islam, from Mohamed to the present. It's a gory and varied history, and sometimes there's a sense of attempt at justification for some of it. However, it does place current events in a much more understandable context, which was my primary reason for reading it. - Z. BurroughsReviewed in the United States on 2 September 2011
Concise and Interesting
Armstrong is a good writer and this book supports this fact. It is brief so do not expect an all encompassing work on Islam. However, it does give the nuts and bolts and as always I would suggest reading primary sources as well.
As a side note, there are many Islamaphobes writing one star comments. The fact that they are apparently Islamic hisorians and writing comments on a self-titled "Introduction" to Islam book seems to show their motives.
With that said, read this book and enjoy. - Don PierstorffReviewed in the United States on 25 May 2015
Read and understand Armstong's books on Islam, on Judaism, and on Christianity.......and join me in wondering we have holy wars.
Literate people around the world stood in awe, not realizing quite what was happening, until her books about religions appeared. In her several works,Ms Armstrong clearly explains the salient features of the Jewish religion, the Christian religion, and the Islamic religion, in such a way that any neutral person could read all about Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, and coming away knowing a great and wondering why we have "religious war" among members of these three religions.
- Wes HartingReviewed in the United States on 20 July 2014
A useful source of historical information on this subject
A useful source of historical information on this subject.
There is very little information available out there on this subject matter that doesn't contain a lot of cultural or religious bias. The author has mad a solid attempt to be factual and realistic on this history.
I learned a lot. - C. CoombsReviewed in the United States on 1 September 2013
Best history available
Karen Armstrong's short concise history is the best interpretation available, more accessible than most works of Said. Her work is constantly labeled by the extreme right as the most dangerous of modernist writing about Islam: a complement. The text covers a very wide swath of history very informatively with a clear interpretation that makes more sense of the material than all other approaches that I've read. This is an excellent introduction that surpasses longer works on the subject. - yogibobReviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 October 2013
Very Informative and Unemotional Book About Islam
I recommend this book to those who wish to have a good basic understanding of Islam without all the emotional baggage. Karen Armstrong does a balanced job with presenting information with a minimum of opinion. - Mr. MoinReviewed in the United States on 21 May 2009
Redefined my view on Islam
Only a few chapters in, but this book has definitely opened my eyes just reading about the early development of Islam. It is NOTHING similar to the perception we have based on the Middle East, a few Islamic nations, and the ignorant mass that have been plotting against the West for the past decade.
I am not a devoted Muslim, and apart from being able to pronounce Arabic along with the prayers, I do not understand the meaning of the Koran, but this book has definitely started to uplift that veil. - Amazon CustomerReviewed in the United States on 24 June 2017
Still another...
...volume in the "Islam-is-a-great-religion-that-is-misunderstood-by-the-West" series. What matters to many (perhaps most) in the West is Islam as it is, and not as some believe it should be. Books of this genre provide little real insight into the contemporary connection between Islam and militant extremism. To be fair, other than the epilogue, it's pre 9/11, so perhaps the author would write a different book today. - Stijn VIReviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 January 2020
Short but insightful
Short but insightful history book. Well written. Recommended. - GaryReviewed in the United States on 30 May 2013
Hard Read
The book is a great history of the foundation of Islam, It is a hard read though partially due to the detail provided in the book and partially by the continuous changes to Islam since its inception as an oral guidance to a codified religion based on two separate views of who the successors of Muhammed were and which ones each group decides is important to follow - John BurtReviewed in the United States on 13 December 2017
A truer look at one of the world's major religions ...
A truer look at one of the world's major religions than one tends to hear from the media. If you blame all of the Islamic world for the actions of a relative few, then consider how they must look at the entirety of the Jewish or Christian world. We have so much in common yet we look to create divisions. - ManyMountainsReviewed in the United States on 11 October 2009
Superb and masterfully written book
This is a superb and masterfully written book that thoroughly describes the history of Islam from Muhammed to the 911 Twin Towers. This is written at a collegiate or graduate student level.
Those that are looking for the simplied, 8th grade level of less inclusive writing need to look elsewhere, but will lose a wonderful and almost minimally necessary description of Islam's
unfolding in history. After reading this book, I ordered additional copies to give to my friends. - Floretta O'brienReviewed in the United States on 19 March 2017
Great history.
Ms. Armstrong shows herself to be a brilliant historian. This is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand this world religion and its adherents - particularly in view of the anti-Muslim sentiments that seem to stir in some quarters. It will be easier to understand the fundamental tenets of the religion and the people who follow it.
- Amazon CustomerReviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 January 2017
I feel like it requires a lot of concentration
I didn't get very far in this book. I am going to give it another go once I've finished reading other books I have started.
My main problem was getting confused with all the names of tribes and people constantly mentioned throughout the book. I feel like it requires a lot of concentration. But I guess it is the history of Islam so what can I expect? - D. J. GreenReviewed in the United Kingdom on 8 April 2013
the other religion
This is a potted history and as such becomes boring. Not up to the usual standard of the author. read 'The Spiral Staircase' - F. W. Orde MortonReviewed in the United States on 11 August 2016
Required Reading
This is an exceptional book, which should be required reading for anyone who wants to understand the current state of the world. Clear explanations of the different trends and institutions within Islam. I could detect no bias, although the author implicitly (and naturally) discredits the vision, popular in some quarters, of Islam as the new evil empire. - EdithReviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 June 2015
IDEAL FOR STUDENTS BUT A LITTLE TOO DETAILED OR DENSE ...
IDEAL FOR STUDENTS BUT A LITTLE TOO DETAILED OR DENSE FOR LEISURELY READING ALTHOUGH THIS MAY BE NECESSARY TO COVER SUBJECT. - Ashok VermaReviewed in Canada on 4 April 2019
Thanks
Well written - SandiReviewed in the United States on 16 September 2013
This book is informative
I enjoy reading this book. It is one of our required readings for the Arab_Islamic History class I attend at the university. Though Armstrong packs a lot of information into her paragraphs, not always going into the wheres or whys, I find it useful in my studies nonetheless and use it as a comparative reading to other texts we are required to study. - Neha GoelReviewed in the United States on 23 July 2015
great read
excellent summary of Islam, it's history and the development over time leading to current state. Must read for anyone yearning to truly understand the religion and it's interplay with other religions and cultures - David WeinerReviewed in the United States on 3 February 2015
A great propaganda piece for Islam
Ms. Armstrong provides a perspective on Islam, the prophet Mohammed and his successors that is markedly at odds with the views of other author-historians such as Robert Spencer (see "The Truth About Muhammad). Where Spencer acknowledges the contradictions in the Qur'an, and points to the elements of Islam that are incompatible with the modern world, Armstrong sees only its peace-advancing, unifying elements, excusing its violent passages as merely reflecting the social and political norms, customs and values of the time. She glosses over violent conquests, murders of infidels, and the oppressive tax imposed on non-Muslims as merely means to "preserve the unity of the ummah" and an economic necessity. The preponderance of evidence in contemporary acts of violence (jihad) committed in the name of Islam make her perspective difficult to swallow for those seeking to better understand Islam. - J. ForcumReviewed in the United States on 4 January 2016
Not for the faint hearted!
One of the worse written books I have ever read. Armstrong is very hard to follow. Her line-of-thought is not linear, and presents no clear path from one fact to another. She uses a truly vast amount of Islamic word and expects the reader to remember them without further definition. Furthermore, she does not use word spelling that might be familiar to the Western mind, but instead uses the original Muslim terms, so it is almost impossible to follow her narrative. Armstong is very pro-Islam,which does not bother me, but doesn't use common terminology that one might be familiar with. In sum, this a book for the the advanced student of Muslin history and religion, certainly not for someone who knows little or nothing (but wants to) about Islamic history and theology. - WordiGReviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 June 2018
Four Stars
A useful brief account by the reliable and sympathetic Ms Armstrong.
- Henry J BuckReviewed in the United States on 4 January 2013
Well written History
It is a well written history. The author defines some Arabic terms a uses them like you could remember all of them. On Kindle it needs an Arabic dictionary to help. - SunuyReviewed in the United States on 17 June 2018
An Academic outlook
A good chronogical history of Islam. Created probably for academic purposes. Does not dwell into the religious or social aspects - Elizabeth CooleyReviewed in the United States on 19 November 2013
This book is for a person whom are following the Islam faith
This book okay, but not what I were looking for. but it is good reading study material. This book is more for a person whom want to study about Islam. - Wee BeastieReviewed in the United States on 18 August 2015
A whitewash
While I respect her experience I do not think she read the same Qur'an as I did. Mine was much more supportive of the terrorist approach. Also her description of the placid advance of Islam in its early does not match wit the general understanding of its violence. - DibsReviewed in the United States on 14 March 2017
Recommended highly
I have read several of Ms Armstrong's books on comparative religion, and this one is particularly timely and interesting. The scholarly details can be skimmed, and one can still benefit from the basic outline and overall balanced commentary. I will probably go back and reread portions at a later date. - Charles W. GallagherReviewed in the United States on 6 November 2012
Good Introduction To Islam
Book is an introduction to Islam written by someone who seems to have no agenda but informing us. Hard to find such a book, as most authors have their own agendas that are often not very obscured. I would not hesitate to recommend to someone who needs more information than is available in newspapers, magazines, or TV. - William L. VaccaReviewed in the United States on 10 February 2013
Find out about your enemies
Really there about a billion Muslims on the planet. Most of them are normal except for their religious beliefs. But then I could say the same thing about the Christians, Jews, Budhists, Hindus, Satanists, atheists etc. etc. ect. You get the picture. By the way the book "Madness of crowds" does not address the issue of religion. - JD2026Reviewed in the United States on 12 August 2019
Better books,not bias out there.
A very bias book, that is 70% opinion and 30% factual. Example;
"The suicide bomber—an almost unparalleled phenomenon in Islamic history—shows that some Muslims are convinced that they are pitted against hopeless odds." , totally disregarding that the said bomber is radicalized by other Muslims. This statement is border line ignorant.
Very hard to get through, plus the author likes to ramble on at times. I think she must be a very intelligent person who knows that.
If she would of titled it, "Islam: A short History In My Opinion", I would of gave it five stars.
I would not of bought, there are better books out there in this subject that are not bias. - Syed M AhmadReviewed in the United States on 3 June 2015
Exhaustive and balanced account of a complex chapter in World History. I recommend this book to anyone who is seeking truth.
Karen Armstrong is perhaps the best writer on Religious History. She always presents a balanced account of controversial subjects and is never swayed by the biased propaganda that is prevalent in Media and Western accounts on Islamic history. I have read most books written by her and have never been disappointed. - Mrs. Sheelagh A. KeastReviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 March 2014
a good book
This book is an easy to read book and gives a balanced view in these troubled times. I can recommend it.
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