Especially since 9/11 books abound on the subject of Islam, but most take an extreme position even when claiming to be revealing 'the truth about Islam.' The truth is this subject needs to take a balanced, rational view - this guide does just that in a clear concise way. Islam is perfect for the No-Nonsense treatment there are too many books on Islam out there that try to be all-encompassing and are often heavy-going. This book is short sharp and to the point. Sardar's outspoken political commentary and Davies's astute academic background combine to create an authoritative guide.