In a very short introduction it is often hard to get much done. Cook here succeeds in giving some basic interpretations on significant verses in the Koran - the famous "sword verses", balanced against the verse that there should be no compulsion in Islam. He also dwells (perhaps too much) on the verse reviewing God's curse on Israeli fishermen who violated the Sabbath (that allegedly turned them into apes). Some reference to how Muslims themselves interpret the Koran is made. A reader already initiated in the study of Islam or the Koran might appreciate this more than the novice - as Cook dwells considerably on language and translation issues. The final section discusses possible theories of the formation of the Koran (as well as some comments on the sword verses) from the days of the caliph Uthman or before. Overall it is a quick, adequately informative read, but I would not make it your last stop in searching for the best text on a quick introduction to the Koran.

In a very short introduction it is often hard to get much done. Cook here succeeds in giving some basic interpretations on significant verses in the Koran - the famous "sword verses", balanced against the verse that there should be no compulsion in Islam. He also dwells (perhaps too much) on the verse reviewing God's curse on Israeli fishermen who violated the Sabbath (that allegedly turned them into apes). Some reference to how Muslims themselves interpret the Koran is made. A reader already initiated in the study of Islam or the Koran might appreciate this more than the novice - as Cook dwells considerably on language and translation issues. The final section discusses possible theories of the formation of the Koran (as well as some comments on the sword verses) from the days of the caliph Uthman or before. Overall it is a quick, adequately informative read, but I would not make it your last stop in searching for the best text on a quick introduction to the Koran.

I read this as the first of a self-directed, self-education course on the Qur'an and Islam. After having read several other books in the area, I can now say that this proved to fulfill superbly its purpose and mission as a short introduction to the Qur'an. I am a relatively slow reader, but I managed to digest this in about three hours. It is straightforward, readily understandable, and (I firmly believe) objective. It certainly eclipses one of its rivals, "The Qur'an" by Bruce Lawrence. Beyond that, I can only second the comments of Mr. Dekle, from April 2006.

This is a good history and a high level overview of the Quran. Author brings academic and historical context to the Quran. Readers looking to prove or disprove the authenticity of the holy book will be disappointed. Those looking for a scholarly perpective will enjoy it.

Magnificent overview of the Quranic text, some thoughts on how it is interpreted, and also on the different styles of Quranic recitation. The book's scope is impressive for its small size.

Awhile back I attempted to read the Koran, translated into English, and found it be one the most difficult and incomprehensible texts I have ever encountered. I was hoping this book might improve my ability to understand it. But actually it is more concerned with other aspects. For example, the book includes sections with titles like "The dissemination of the Koran," "The Koran as codex," and "The collection of the Koran." In addition, Michael Cook is a professor of Near Eastern Studies at Princeton and writes in the sort of academic language that many readers will find difficult.

One important point the book does make is that attempts to interpret the Koran are highly subjective and both moderate and extremist Muslims can find passages to justify their beliefs. For example, one sura emphasizes that there is "no compulsion in religion" while another, often known as the "sword verse," says that Muslims are allowed to commit acts of violence against those who are unwilling to convert to Islam.

Of course, the Bible also contains many contradictory statements and is very much open to subjective interpretation as well. In fact, while Christian Europe languished in the Dark Ages, Muslim civilization flourished from Spain to India and made signicant advances in philosophy, science and math. Even when Christian Europe started to once again advance invasions and atrocities, such as the Crusades and the Inquisition, still did occur.

The Islamic world remained militarily strong, including the advance of the Turkish Ottoman Empire all the way to the gates of Vienna. But it also became highly insular, rejecting important Western technological innovations such as the printing press. Meanwhile, the Europeans were exploring and colonizing the Western Hemisphere, not only building wealth but also exposing themselves to new ideas and new food resources, such as the potato and corn. In addition, the Europeans had, starting with the Renassaince, begun to reaquaint themselves with their Greco-Roman heritage. By the 1700's the Enlightenment had also began to spread, including its emphasis on rational thought and personal freedom that would lead to Western based modernism and secularism.

The Muslim world, in contrast, remained highly religious and focused on past glories. Of course, by the 20th century many Muslim leaders, such as Ataturk in Turkey, had become interested in bringing the advantages of modernization to their countries and by the 1960's you could even find some modern Muslim women who wore short skirts and high heels in public. But the Iranian Revolution of 1979 marked a return to fundamentalist Islam and during the subsequent decades extremist Muslims began to assert their influence both politically and culturally. Eventually this all helped to lead to the rise of terrorists such as Bin Ladin and the tragedy of 9/11.

Basically, this book will be of most use to scholarly types who wish to increase their knowledge of how of the Koran was formed and how it has been perceived and used by Muslims in both the past and the present. Those seeking a thorough interpretation of the Koran or even a basic introduction to the beliefs and practices of Islam will need to look elsewhere.

Awhile back I attempted to read the Koran, translated into English, and found it be one the most difficult and incomprehensible texts I have ever encountered. I was hoping this book might improve my ability to understand it. But actually it is more concerned with other aspects. For example, the book includes sections with titles like "The dissemination of the Koran," "The Koran as codex," and "The collection of the Koran." In addition, Michael Cook is a professor of Near Eastern Studies at Princeton and writes in the sort of academic language that many readers will find difficult.

One important point the book does make is that attempts to interpret the Koran are highly subjective and both moderate and extremist Muslims can find passages to justify their beliefs. For example, one sura emphasizes that there is "no compulsion in religion" while another, often known as the "sword verse," says that Muslims are allowed to commit acts of violence against those who are unwilling to convert to Islam.

Of course, the Bible also contains many contradictory statements and is very much open to subjective interpretation as well. In fact, while
Christian Europe languished in the Dark Age, Muslim civilization flourished from Spain to India and made signicant advances in philosophy, science and math. Even when Europe once again began to advance Christian invasions and atrocities, such as the Crusades and the Inquisition, did occur.

The Islamic world remained militarily strong, including the advance of the Ottoman Empire all the way to the gates of Vienna. But it also became highly insular, rejecting important Western technological innovations such as the printing press. Meanwhile, the Europeans were exploring and colonizing the Western Hemisphere, not only building wealth but also exposing themselves to new ideas and new cultures. In addition, the Europeans had begun to reaquaint themselves with their Greco-Roman heritage, beginning with the Renaissance. By the 1700's the Enlightenment had also began to spread, including its emphasis on rational thought and personal freedom that would lead to Western based modernism and secularism.

The Muslim world, in contrast, remained highly religious and focused on past glories. Of course, by the 20th century many Muslim leaders, such as Ataturk in Turkey, had become interested in bringing the advantages of modernization to their countries and by the 1960's you could even find some modern Muslim women who wore short skirts and high heels in public. But the Iranian Revolution of 1979 marked a return to fundamentalist Islam and during the subsequent decades extremist Muslims began to assert their influence both politically and culturally. Eventually this all led to the rise of terrorists such as Bin Ladin and the tragedy of 9/11.

Basically this book will be of most use to scholarly types who wish to increase their knowledge of how of the Koran was formed and how it has been perceived and used by Muslims in both the past and the present. Those seeking a thorough interpretation of the Koran or even a basic introduction to the beliefs and practices of Islam will need to look elsewhere.

Published in 2000, this is a very interesting and useful book. I expected a brief introduction to the tenets of Islam. But this is actually a history of the Koran as a book. A great deal of noteworthy and even rare information is packed into this mini-encylopedia.

The tenets of Islam are discussed, but only as they relate to the sacredness of the Koran as a scripture. Chapter titles are: The message of the Koran, The dissemination of the Koran, The interpretation of the Koran, The very idea of scripture, The Koran as codex, text, worship, truth, and dogma. (The latter comprising five chapters under the various headings.)

The final section of the book discusses The collection of the Koran, The Koran in the lifetime of the Prophet, and Doubts and Puzzles. The illustrations are plentiful and excellent throughout. There are many examples of various Arabic script. Also included are photographs, a diagram of the physical motions of the believer in prayer, and a very good map showing places mentioned in the text.

Michael Cook is a scholar of Islamic history, educated at Cambridge and the University of London. He has been Professor in the Department of Near Eastern Studies at Princeton since 1986. Since "The Koran: A Very Short Introduction" he has published four major studies of Islamic dogma, culture and tradition.

Professor Cook's attitude toward the Koran will not be appreciated by Islamists. His approach is from the standpoint of logic, reason and history. He occasionally writes with tongue in cheek as he pokes some gentle fun at the casuistry that Muslims resort to in order to reconcile the incongruities contained in the Koran. Of course to Muslims, Allah is above logic and reason. Allah is omnipotent and does as he pleases. (There is an amusing section on how the Koran is recited in a rhythmical singsong - including the musical notation for the recitation. This, in spite of the fact the Koran forbids any form of music.)

Thankfully Michael Cook is rational and lives in the West. He has the freedom to think logically; therefore we can understand Professor Cook. Through the words of the Koran, Allah will continue his semi-coherent rantings and half-thoughts. These diatribes will live on through his followers, as they have since Muhammad started hearing the voice of the Angel Gabriel in a cave early in the 7th Century. Allah doesn't require understanding, just submission; submission to The Koran.

Published in 2000, this is a very interesting and useful book. I expected a brief introduction to the tenets of Islam. But this is actually a history of the Koran as a book. A great deal of noteworthy and even rare information is packed into this mini-encylopedia.

The tenets of Islam are discussed, but only as they relate to the sacredness of the Koran as a scripture. Chapter titles are: The message of the Koran, The dissemination of the Koran, The interpretation of the Koran, The very idea of scripture, The Koran as codex, text, worship, truth, and dogma. (The latter comprising five chapters under the various headings.)

The final section of the book discusses The collection of the Koran, The Koran in the lifetime of the Prophet, and Doubts and Puzzles. The illustrations are plentiful and excellent throughout. There are many examples of various Arabic script. Also included are photographs, a diagram of the physical motions of the believer in prayer, and a very good map showing places mentioned in the text.

Michael Cook is a scholar of Islamic history, educated at Cambridge and the University of London. He has been Professor in the Department of Near Eastern Studies at Princeton since 1986. Since "The Koran: A Very Short Introduction" he has published four major studies of Islamic dogma, culture and tradition.

Professor Cook's attitude toward the Koran will not be appreciated by Islamists. His approach is from the standpoint of logic, reason and history. He occasionally writes with tongue in cheek as he pokes some gentle fun at the casuistry that Muslims resort to in order to reconcile the incongruities contained in the Koran. Of course to Muslims, Allah is above logic and reason. Allah is omnipotent and does as he pleases. (There is an amusing section on how the Koran is recited in a rhythmical singsong - including the musical notation for the recitation. This, in spite of the fact the Koran forbids any form of music.)

Thankfully Michael Cook is rational and lives in the West. He has the freedom to think logically. Therefore we can understand Professor Cook. Through the words of the Koran, Allah will continue his irrational diatribes, as he has since Muhammad started hearing his voice in the 7th Century. Allah doesn't require understanding, just submission; submission to The Koran.

Published in 2000, this is a very interesting and useful book. I expected a brief introduction to the tenets of Islam. But this is actually a history of the Koran as a book. And a great deal of noteworthy and even rare information is packed into this mini-encylopedia.

The tenets of Islam are discussed, but only as they relate to the sacredness of the Koran as a scripture. Chapter titles are: The message of the Koran, The dissemination of the Koran, The interpretation of the Koran, The very idea of scripture, The Koran as codex, text, worship, truth, and dogma. (The latter comprising five chapters under the various headings.)

The final section of the book discusses The collection of the Koran, The Koran in the lifetime of the Prophet, and Doubts and Puzzles. The illustrations are plentiful and excellent throughout. There are many examples of various Arabic script. Also included are photographs, a diagram of the physical motions of the believer in prayer, and a very good map showing places mentioned in the text.

Michael Cook is a scholar of Islamic history, educated at Cambridge and the University of London. He has been Professor in the Department of Near Eastern Studies at Princeton since 1986. Since "The Koran: A Very Short Introduction" he has published four major studies of Islamic dogma, culture and tradition.

Professor Cook's attitude toward the Koran will not be appreciated by Islamists. His approach is from the standpoint of logic, reason and history. He occasionally writes with tongue in cheek as he pokes some gentle fun at the casuistry that Muslims resort to in order to reconcile the incongruities contained in the Koran. Of course to Muslims, Allah is above logic and reason. Allah is omnipotent and does as he pleases. (There is an amusing section on how the Koran is recited in a rhythmical singsong - including the musical notation for the recitation. This, in spite of the fact the Koran forbids any form of music.)

Thankfully Michael Cook is rational and lives in the West. He has the freedom to think and do as he pleases. Therefore we can understand Professor Cook. Through his followers, Allah will continue his irrational ranting and raving, as he has since Muhammad started hearing his voice in the 7th Century. Allah doesn't require understanding, just submission. Submission to The Koran.

This miniature book is small and has a slippery cover. The spine is thickly glued which makes it hard to keep open. The font is miniscule and resembles cuneiform writing. There is no room for marginalia or notes. (But the paper is superior stock, extra white background.)

But forget all that. Published in 2000, this is a very interesting and useful book. I expected a brief introduction to the tenets of Islam. But this is actually a history of the Koran as a book. And a great deal of noteworthy and even rare information is packed in this mini-encylopedia.

The tenets of Islam are discussed, but only as they relate to the sacredness of the Koran as a scripture. Chapter titles are: The message of the Koran, The dissemination of the Koran, The interpretation of the Koran, The very idea of scripture, The Koran as codex, text, worship, truth, and dogma. (The latter comprising five chapters under the various headings.)

The final section of the book discusses The collection of the Koran, The Koran in the lifetime of the Prophet, and Doubts and Puzzles. The illustrations are plentiful and excellent throughout. There are many examples of various Arabic script. Also included are photographs, a diagram of the physical motions of the believer in prayer, and a very good map showing places mentioned in the text.

Michael Cook is a scholar of Islamic history, educated at Cambridge and the University of London. He has been Professor in the Department of Near Eastern Studies at Princeton since 1986. Since this brief work he has published four major studies of Islamic dogma, culture and tradition.

His attitude toward the Koran will not be appreciated by Islamists. His approach is from the standpoint of logic, reason and history. He occasionally writes with tongue in cheek as he pokes some gentle fun at the casuistries that Muslims resort to in order to reconcile the contradictions and oddities contained in the Koran. Of course to Muslims Allah is above logic and reason. Allah is omnipotent and does as he pleases. (There is an amusing section on how the Koran is recited in a musical fashion - including the musical notation for the recitation. This, in spite of the fact that the Koran forbids that any form of music be heard by its believers.)

Thankfully Michael Cook is rational and lives in the West. He has the freedom to think and do as he pleases. Therefore we can understand Professor Cook. Through his followers, Allah will continue his irrational ranting and raving, as he has done since Muhammad started hearing voices in the 7th Century. Allah doesn't require understanding, just submission.

Michael Cook's 'very short introduction' is the ideal way to approach the Islamic scripture for the first time. Writing with wit and knowledge intermingled, Cook engages the reader from the introduction on forward--the story of the Koran is a fascinating trip interweaving faith and history, and Cook revels in the ride.

Cook provides a solid inroduction not only to the Koran as we know it today, but also to its origins, teachings, and the role it plays both inside and outside of the mosque. His treatment of the Koran is at once a respectful, but inquiring one, and at times he drops in a dash of humor to keep things from becoming overserious.

Overall, this book cannot be bettered as an introduction to the Koran, and it should be read with Michael Sells' "Approaching the Qur'an: The Early Revelations" as an essential part of anyone's study into Islam, the Koran (Qur'an), or world literature in general.

Michael Cook's 'very short introduction' is the ideal way to approach the Islamic scripture for the first time. Writing with wit and knowledge intermingled, Cook engages the reader from the introduction on forward--the story of the Koran is a fascinating trip interweaving faith and history, and Cook revels in the ride.

Cook provides a solid inroduction not only to the Koran as we know it today, but also to its origins, teachings, and the role it plays both inside and outside of the mosque. His treatment of the Koran is at once a respectful, but inquiring one, and at times he drops in a dash of humor to keep things from becoming overserious.

Overall, this book cannot be bettered as an introduction to the Koran, and it should be read with Michael Sells' "Approaching the Qur'an: The Early Revelations" as an essential part of anyone's study into Islam, the Koran (Qur'an), or world literature in general.

In looking for enlightenment on Islam, I have found that the currently available literature falls into three basic categories: anti-Islamic polemic, pro-Islamic apologetic, politically correct circumlocution. None of the three types promotes objectivity.

"The Koran: a Very Short Introduction," achieves objectivity. It is sympathetic, but not sycophantic. When it sees problems, it pulls no punches in pointing them out and thoroughly discussing them. When it sees something good, it is unstinting in praise.

When you write a rigorously objective book on a hot topic, "true believers" on both sides will rail against you. The fact that this book has drawn fire from "true believers" on both sides is excellent evidence of its objectivity.

There is no better way to learn so much about The Koran in so little time as is possible with Michael Cook's A Very Short Introduction. I own several titles from the series and each has its strengths and weaknesses. This one shares a weakness with several of the other Short Introductions in that the topic is too exhaustive to cover in the less than two hundred pages used by Cook.

Nothing I can offer will add or subtract from the previous reviews, but I will claim that the book is a good one and valuable for understanding the sacred text if you find it foreign. Furthermore, it is a handy reference that I have returned to several times as recent political conversations hover around fundamentalism in general, and Islam in particular. Note that the two practices are no more one and the same than Christianity and fundamentalism, but both sets are often interlinked.

I have used this little book (fits in your front pocket with room to spare) in a few different classes and students either love it or hate it. Personally, I love it.

Many believing Muslims will find this book either difficult or problematic. A large part of the problem here is that Cook takes a distinctly secular approach, treating the Koran simply as another text to be analyzed. There are, however, some real problems. First, because he chooses "hot" topics as examples(violence against women, treatment of non-Muslims), one may get the mistaken sense that these issues are central to the text of the Koran when in fact, they are a relatively minor aspect. Indeed, you don't get a strong sense from this work about what the Koran actually says. For that, Cook argues somewhat dismissively, you should read the Koran itself. There is also a problem of tone. Cook has a good sense of humor and it lightens the tone of the work. But sometimes his timing is off and I felt myself cringe at his lack of taste. It is one thing to avoid political correctness, but he very occasionaly crosses the line into pointless bad taste.

If this volume is not a perfect work, it is an extremely good one, offering a real sense of the variety of ways in which the Koran can be approached, its centrality to Islamic practice, and the problems of textual interpretation.

I don't think that this is the best source for finding out about basic precepts of Islam. But for people with some background in the subject, however, it is a remarkably thought-provoking and important work.