It's been my ambition for several years to read the Quran, but my one attempt didn't get very far. I really struggled to understand what I was reading. Having read this book, I think my next attempt will go better. Ibrahim provides essential background information here. The questions answered include when it was written and several ways that Muslim culture relates to their holy book. I'd consider this book essential reading for anyone who wants to better understand Islam. My one suggestion would be to read it one question at a time. Let what you've read percolate before you attack the next one

In this word, Ayman S. Ibrahim covers frequently asked questions about the Quran, as well as further, logical questions that arise from the initial questions. Ibrahim's work covers both the history of the text of the Quran as well as the themes and major ideas of the Quran.

As noted in his introduction to the work, Ibrahim tries to mediate a middle path between the diversity of Muslim belief, the ideas held in scholarship, and the differing Sunni/Shiite beliefs. This task is commendable and Ibrahim does an excellent job at introducing the reader to a wide variety of viewpoints, including ones that may be more amenable to the reader, even if they are minority positions among Muslims worldwide.

While an informative volume, at times Ibrahim's tone may appear less than fully agreeable to would be Muslim readers of the volume. This is seen when he uses phrases such as "critical thinkers will" and then proceed to disagree with a Muslim majority opinion. The point Ibrahim is making is not without merit. However, such phrases may lend the reader to think that Muslims are not critical thinkers.

Overall, this book has much to commend about it. It covers a wide range of history. It filters a massive amount of material into bite sized chunks. As it is a guide, it invites further study, introspection, and fellowship with Islam and Muslims, all proper goals of this work.

This is the first book I have ever read about the Quaran. It is written by an Egyptian-American scholar of Islam who was raised in a Coptic Christian family. I found its question-and-answer format easy to follow. I learned a lot about Islam as a religion and the historiography of the Quaran as a book. My only major qualm was that I was concerned its heavy reliance on external weblinks for translation comparisons would make the book dated before its time. Overall, I would highly recommend for any library's religion collection.

Very well-written and easy to read and accessible for both those new to Islam and entrenched Muslims; I found it very eye opening.