The origins of Islam have been the subject of increasing controversy in recent years. The traditional view, which presents Islam as a self-consc... read full description
reviews
Jul 10, 2010
Vika
rated it: 
I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a thorough but not too dense overview of the early period of Islamic history. Donner includes here the best overview of the pre-Islamic Middle East I have ever read (and that's saying something), as well a sophisticated but clear presentation of the early "Believer movement". His discussion of the development of leadership of the community in the first hundred years after the death of the Prophet Muhammad does not get bogged down in th
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Jul 15, 2010
Oldroses
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Back in the early 1980’s while the Cold War was still raging, I used to joke that I must be on some FBI and/or CIA watchlist because of my growing collection of books on the Soviet Union, including books (in translation) authored by Soviet writers who were not dissidents. My curiosity about all things Russian stemmed from my idea that you can’t “hate” an enemy that you know nothing about.
Fast forward to 9/11 when we realized that we were facing a new enemy, radical Islam. Again, my More...
Fast forward to 9/11 when we realized that we were facing a new enemy, radical Islam. Again, my More...
May 03, 2011
Martin
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A compelling revisionist interpretation of the early community that will certainly enter our current discourse on early Islamic historiography, if not through this book than through the many scholarly pieces supporting it. The results, while well reasoned and articulate, are dependent on the sources considered authentic and credible. Given this Donner presents a very plausible reading, but in the end it is one of several possibilities.
Jul 26, 2011
Historical and theological study of Islam, with the thesis that it was a radical monotheism based in personal behavior and righteousness and that political action followed from rather than produced it. This echoes a lot of what I know from the historiography and debates (with Constantine, of course) about early Xianity (Chi Rho joke deliberate).
Feb 17, 2012
Peggy
rated it:
A clear and persuasive account of the origins and early development of Islam, especially the inclusive nature of the first community. It describes Mohammed as a reformer committed to the elimination of polytheism and the furtherance of a monotheism based on Judaism and Christianity. The account is readable, for the most part, although I did get bogged down in the last few chapters.
Jun 18, 2010
Matthew
rated it:
exceptional book. should be required reading for anyone studying or teaching early Islam.
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Mar 14, 2011
Ali
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I don't believe I ever read anything new the entire time. It seemed like his whole premise was established simply by changing around vocabulary, rather than through any real mustering of evidence. Not as sensational as the descriptions would suggest.
Apr 14, 2011
Caroline
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I definitely learned some things from reading this, but it is a very close study of a relatively small period of time.
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