Peterson (Islamic studies and Arabic, Brigham Young U., Utah) begins with the regional situation of Arabia at the time of Muhammad's birth--pushed out from between the powerful Byzantine and Sassanid empires--and the cultural situation among Arab speakers. Then he narrates the life, ministry, and eventual triumph of The Prophet. He ends with a chapter on Arabia under Muhammad, before the expansion of Islam into other regions began. Annotation 2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
