Akbar S. Ahmed provides a classic account of how the history of Islam and western relations have shaped Islamic society today. Written in the tradition of Ibn Khaldun, Discovering Islam is readable, wide ranging and uncovers the roots of Islamic discontent and celebrates its strength.

Introduction: Discovering Islam Part 1: The Pattern of Islamic History 2. Muslim Ideal: Holy Book and Prophet 3. A Theory of Islamic History 4. The Great Muslim Empires: Ottomans, Saffavids and Mughals 5. Sufis and Scholars 6. Islam of the Periphery 7. Under European Rule: The Colonial Impact on Muslim Society Part 2: Contemporary Muslim Society 8. Princes and Paupers: Muslim Societies in Saudi Arabia and South India 9. Muslim Society Turned Inside Out: Ethnicity, Women and Refugees 10. The Reconstruction of Muslim Thought 11. Only Connect Appendix: Muslim Chronology, Glossary of Islamic Terminology, Bibliography: Suggested Readings, Index