The Story of the Qur'an: Its History and Place in Muslim Life

As I worked my way through this book I was getting increasingly irritated by the following three aspects:1. The author does not always clearly distinguish between myth, folklore, and historical facts in the material presented. Also, I would have preferred if the author would have kept a more critical distance to her subject and presented more research and critical views by non-muslim scholars.2. While I understand the central role of the Arabic language with respect to the Qur'an, the author injects countless transliterated Arabic terms that are often not or poorly explained and certainly not all contained in the very limited glossary in the back of the book. To the non-Arabic speaking reader this is hardly helpful but rather annoying.3. In the accolades on the back cover the author is said to "take her readers, effortlessly, through the Qur'an with her eloquent Zen-like writing style". I would rather describe her style as rather verbose and flowery, and I would welcome some stricter editing for the next edition to improve readability and reduce the overabundant prose.

I got this book in order to help me prepare for an Islamic contest I was competing in. I was surprised at how much knowledge I gained about my religion through this book. It is wonderfully written and very informative. Even now, months after my competition, I still enjoy this book. It is very interesting to learn about my history and the story of our ancestors. I would recommend this book to other people out their who are seeking more knowledge about Islam.

Ingrid Mattson's book is only one of several books explaining the Qur'an. It is not the easiest book to follow. I had to read the summary chapter and then read to earlier chapters for the story to fall in to place. Desptie the lay the information is good.This book was used as part of the Let's Talk About it: Muslim Journeys, a reading and discussion series sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Library Association to bridge cultures. The Qur'an itself raises some peoples' attention level, so a book explaining it will do like wise.

Entirely readable and very informative. Dr. Mattson does a good job presenting the spectrum of Muslim experience, especially in the West. I would recommend this book highly, especially for non-Muslims looking for a readable overview of modern-day Islam. (Taking the position that the Qur'an is at the very center of Islamic life, It covers much more than just what the Qur'an says.)

good

This book takes a remarkable journey through Islamic history of the Quran a blessed journey with Allah the knowledge I gain with the grace of Allah

Amazing

Ingrid Mattson's  The Story of the Qur'an: Its History and Place in Muslim Life  is likely the best book for introducing someone to the both the central teachings of the Quran and to its place in Islamic life and thought. Mattson does a masterful job of weaving in details of Quranic teachings and the relationship that Muslims have with the Quran into a single narrative. The first two chapters are also among the best available literature for understanding the life of the Prophet Muhammad. Chapters three and four are a masterful presentation of the variegated ways in which the Quran penetrates Islamic life. Chapter five provides an excellent account of the manner in which the polyvalent nature of the Quran has led to multiple interpretive strands. The final chapter conveys the majesty of the relationship between the individual believer and the word of God. More than an introduction to the Quran, this book is an introduction to Islam and an all-important window into the heart of the most widely read book in the world.

I really enjoyed this book. I thought the author did a good job of presenting the history and preservation of the Qur'an from its early revelation through to the present day. But I found this book to be so much more than a telling of the Qur'an's history. I thought the author did a fantastic job of communicating the different layers of the Qur'an; from its aural beauty to its role in the everyday life of a Muslim to its impact on Muslim architecture to the rich sciences that underpin how Muslim scholars interpret the Qur'an. It's probably this depth and detail that will make this book more appealing to Muslim readers wanting to gain an appreciation of their own history than somebody outside of the faith with a passing interesting in Islam. For me though this book far exceeded my expectations and I'd go as far as putting it in my top ten books on Islam in the English language.

The book contains a lot of information and gives a very good insight about the religion for people who don't know about it. Very recommended for those who want to learn.

Easy to read, and a good starter for for both Muslims and non-Muslims.

Studying the Qur'an as a cultural and historical phenomenon should be a part of any school curriculum, And this book is the perfect pre-Qur'an intro, if you will.