From the life of the prophet Muhammed to the crusades, from the Ottoman empire to the Iranian revolution and beyond, the influence of Islam in the world has been profound and continuous over nearly 1500 years. The Rough Guide History of Islam puts the evolution and great diversification of Islamic thought and religious practice into historical context. Using a continuous time-line, maps, quotations, sidebars and numerous illustrations, the author covers culture and society thoughtfully, thoroughly and readably.