Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0007232454 ISBN 13: 9780007232451

Publisher: HarperPress, 2006

From the bestselling writer of ‘The History of God’ and the widely acclaimed ‘Islam – A Short History’ comes another valuable addition to the ‘Eminent Lives’ series, Karen Armstrong’s ‘Muhammad’.

Muhammad was born in 570 C.E., and over the following sixty years built a thriving spiritual community, laying the foundations of a religion that changed the course of world history. There is more historical data on his life than on that of the founder of any other major faith, and yet his story is consistently misunderstood, and subject to much distortion and error. This story is more relevant now than ever, offering crucial insight into the true origins of an increasingly radicalised Islam.

An acclaimed authority on religious and spiritual issues, Karen Armstrong offers a balanced portrait of this revered figure. Through comparison with other prophets and mystics, she illuminates Muhammad’s spiritual ideas; she uses the facts of his life, from which Muslims have drawn instruction for centuries, to make the tenets of Islam clear and accessible for modern readers of all faiths.

This is an immaculately researched new biography of Muhammad that dismantles centuries of misconceptions to reveal the man at the heart of Islam.

Product Description:

hardback book

Review:

Praise for ‘The Spiral Staircase’:

‘The book deserves many readers...Karen Armstrong must be a woman of iron to have survived, made a career and a life.’ Hilary Mantel

‘A subtle and funny memoir.’ Sunday Telegraph

‘An exceptionally impressive autobiography...Karen Armstrong’s account of her spiralling journey provokes thought and inspires respect.’ Daily Telegraph