Full of riddles - Rated 
I've had it with this book. I can't go any further. If it was Eaton's intention to interpret contemporary Islam from the perspective of a Western convert -- someone who is aware of the "areas of misunderstanding that can bedevil the two cultures" -- then perhaps he should have done it in plain English. Let me take a paragraph at random, e.g. p50:
"The profound bond which unites one particular religion with other God-given messages is, in fact, a clear sign of its orthodoxy in the most universal sense of this term; and unless we possess a touchstone by which to judge the orthodoxy of the religions, we have no means of passing judgement on the false prophets and vicious cults which have surfaced in this century...*but this basic orthodoxy is balanced (though never destroyed) by the differences between one set of outward forms and doctrinal formulations and another. A square and a triangle are quite different figures, but they may nonetheless be related to a single geometrical centre.*"
I have read this paragraph several times, and I am still left wondering what Eaton is trying to say in the starred sentences. Is it that it is possible to judge a religion's integrity by comparing it with others and looking for common ground? Oh no, wait -- is he saying that similar messages between religions serve as proof of their veracity? Or is it that all religions have the same message at heart? I could spend a few minutes trying to guess which explanation is best, but the trouble is that almost every paragraph contains some element of riddle.
If you read this and understood the except I gave straight-off, maybe Eaton's book is for you after all. If not, I might recommend "No god but God" by Reza Aslan, which I found much more enlightening.
A Journey - Rated 
The wonderful thing about this book is that its as good for Muslims as its for non-Muslims.
He talks about his journey to Islam and then talks about his struggle to be steadfast.
Then he gives a concise history of Islam and the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).
Buy it and read it again and again!
Inspiring - Rated
Many reviewers have made reference to the author's gentle, lucid tone and that is probably one of the main things about the book that make it refreshing and unforgettable. There is no hidden agenda, no manipulation of the facts and no attempt to brainwash the reader as is often the case with books on religion. The author has a particular knack for making the potentially dull chapters on history hugely engrossing by portraying the historical figures in a very interesting fashion so that they seem to leap off the pages. Throughout the book he refuses to pass judgement on the events and their perpetrators and encourages us to view history and the present from an angle we might not have considered. A truly mind-opening book which is very obviously written by someone with a real understanding of the subject as is evident from his command of the facts and his serene, almost loving tone throughout. A voice of reason in a world of confusion. I found this book so impressive that I plan to read King of the Castle by the same author next.
A wonderful, comprehensive and illuminating introduction to Islam - Rated
I first met Mr Eaton, a wonderful man, at our University Islamic Society, back in 1988! His talk impressed me more than any of the others, during all my student days. Likewise, this book, and the others by Mr Eaton, were tremendously influential in introducing me to aspects of the Islamic tradition, and religion more generally, that I knew almost nothing about before reading his work. This book, and his others, are beautifully written - there is real poetic force in all his writings, including this book; and he presents so much, so well. Here, Mr Eaton provides a comprehensive overview of the entire Islamic tradition, explaining much about Islam that people growing up in historically Muslim communities have either forgotten, or lost interest in. He provides a compelling introduction to Islamic spirituality, theology, history and culture. While this sounds too much for one work, the crucial achievement, for which Mr Eaton deserves substantial credit, is showing how these various dimensions of Islamic civilisation are in fact facets of a coherent, compelling and beautiful whole.
MONUMENTAL!! - Rated
This is a truly majestic book and is, without doubt, one of the most powerful works available on Islam in the English language. Intended primarily for the non-Muslim, or specifically for Westerners with little or no prior knowledge of Islam, I would say that this book is equally accessible and helpful to those who are either practising believers or who have a good working knowledge of the Faith, in the way it goes so far beyond ordinary introductory texts in dealing with and answering the vital questions of human existence. A comprehensive coverage of specifically the Islamic ethos is included, with regards to formation, beliefs, sources, history and crystallization, yet this representation always remains couched in an acute understanding of other major religious forces and (contemporary) intellectual contexts. This work is scholarly and encyclopaedic in content and scope, yet is saved from becoming abstruse or inaccessible by the author's pronounced gift of articulation, where with an almost effortless ease complex issues and matters are expressed in beautiful and poetical style. In fact, certain passages of this book are simply spellbinding, and there is a definite spiritual dimension to the text where the reader can tangibly feel the calm serenity of the author being transmitted through the words. I really cannot recommend this book enough; for those interested in furthering their knowledge of specifically Islam and the Muslim faith it is an excellent place to start or continue your research, for those who have any type of interest in religion in general or who are simply concerned with the deeper questions of life, meaning, purpose and existence then reading this book will prove to be an intriguing experience and for those who are simply looking for an interesting read then I am sure that this book will not disappoint you. Unreservedly, I recommend this book to as many people as possible.
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