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The Qur'an: A Biography Audiobook
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(3.00) - 114 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Few books in history have been as important or as poorly understood as the Qur'an. Sent down in a series of revelations to the Prophet Muhammad, the Qur'an is the unmediated word of Allah: a ritual, political, and legal authority, an ethical and spiritual guide, and a literary masterpiece. It is revered by Muslims throughout the world, in whom it inspires devotion, passion, fear, and sometimes incomprehension.
In this book, one of the launch titles in the Atlantic Monthly Press's Books That Changed the World series, distinguished historian of religion Bruce Lawrence shows precisely how the Qur'an is Islam. He describes the origins of the faith and assesses its tremendous influence on today's societies and politics. Above all, Lawrence emphasizes that the Qur'an is a sacred book of signs that has no single message. It is a book that demands interpretation and one that can be properly understood only through its history. Lawrence's work is a beautifully written and, in these increasingly troubled times, invaluable introduction to and exploration of the core sacred text of Islam.
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"A topical approach to the Qur'an that explains important themes and context for Qur'anic teaching. A useful antidote to the simple-minded anti-Muslim bigotry that passes for "expertise" these days. See also my review of "Idiot America." "
— Anthony (4 out of 5 stars)
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“Michael Prichards comfort with foreign names and words makes the deluge of dogma easier to understand and digest than the text alone. His smooth voice makes difficult concepts, including the differences between the Sunni and Shiite sects, find relevance in todays globalized civilization under continuous religious conflicts. Without this pleasant and avuncular narrator, some of the meaning in verses from the ancient book could be painful to absorb.”
— AudioFile -
Michael Prichard's comfort with foreign names and words makes the deluge of dogma easier to understand and digest than the text alone. His smooth voice makes difficult concepts...find relevance.
— AudioFile
The Qur'an Listener Reviews
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" I good starting point for learning about Islam. "
— Karlton, 10/31/2013 -
" This book is part of a series entitled "Books that Changed the World." The author discusses various peoples' interpretations of the Qur'an, thus portraying how exactly the Qur'an has influenced intellectuals, poets, kings, and everyday people. "
— Ruby, 9/15/2013 -
" A topical approach to the Qur'an that explains important themes and context for Qur'anic teaching. A useful antidote to the simple-minded anti-Muslim bigotry that passes for "expertise" these days. See also my review of "Idiot America." "
— Anthony, 6/26/2013 -
" Lawrence, the author of this Quran biography obviously knows his stuff. But I can't help wondering 'who is this book for'? The history is simple enough that any Muslim would already know it, and yet for those of us not muslim I was left wanting for more information. "
— Jesse, 5/2/2012 -
" A nice, fairly comprehensive overview of the Koran and Islam. The book lends a good, pracical knowledge of the cultural inclinations present today that descend from this religion. "
— Tom, 4/27/2012 -
" The book does not serve the purpose of introducing the Quran especially to the non-muslims, who have a very worng undersatnding of THE BOOK THAT CHANGED THE WORLD. "
— Ibrahim, 6/12/2011 -
" A short primer on the history of Islam and the Quran. Good for those unfamiliar with Islam but want to learn but people who are already knowledgeable on the subject may want to skip this book. "
— Khairul, 9/23/2010 -
" Although I find the logic behind many of his arguments faulty, this was a good introduction to the Qur'an in that it provided different perspectives from which to view it. "
— Michaela, 3/6/2010 -
" The book does not serve the purpose of introducing the Quran especially to the non-muslims, who have a very worng undersatnding of THE BOOK THAT CHANGED THE WORLD. "
— Ibrahim, 11/17/2009 -
" A short primer on the history of Islam and the Quran. Good for those unfamiliar with Islam but want to learn but people who are already knowledgeable on the subject may want to skip this book. "
— Khairul, 7/25/2009 -
" Didn't know much about the Qur'an before I read this. Great primer on the books' origins, central themes and messages. I guess now I better read the actual book, eh? <br/> <br/>I figure with about 1.5 billion people on the earth basing their lives and faith in this book it might be worth a read. "
— Sam, 12/12/2008 -
" Lawrence, the author of this Quran biography obviously knows his stuff. But I can't help wondering 'who is this book for'? The history is simple enough that any Muslim would already know it, and yet for those of us not muslim I was left wanting for more information. "
— Jesse, 5/31/2008 -
" This book is part of a series entitled "Books that Changed the World." The author discusses various peoples' interpretations of the Qur'an, thus portraying how exactly the Qur'an has influenced intellectuals, poets, kings, and everyday people. "
— Ruby, 5/31/2007
About Bruce Lawrence
Bruce Lawrence is the Nancy and Jeffrey Marcus Humanities Professor of Religion at Duke University. He is an expert on Islam and non-Muslim religious traditions of Asia, especially Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism. Bruce is the author or editor of numerous books, including Shattering the Myth: Islam beyond Violence, Defenders of God, and Messages to the World, an edited volume of Osama bin Laden’s statements.
About Michael Prichard
Michael Prichard is a Los Angeles-based actor who has played several thousand characters during his career, over one hundred of them in theater and film. He is primarily heard as an audiobook narrator, having recorded well over five hundred full-length books. His numerous awards and accolades include an Audie Award for Tears in the Darkness by Michael Norman and Elizabeth M. Norman and six AudioFile Earphones Awards. He was named a Top Ten Golden Voice by SmartMoney magazine. He holds an MFA in theater from the University of Southern California.