At last a single-author book on a subject to which so many recent conferences and collections of papers have brought confusion as well as clarification. This general survey begins with the time of Muhammad, describes Islam as political and social force, the issues of reform and revival before and after contact with the West, and the role of Islam in the contemporary politics of key countries (Iran, Pakistan, Egypt, Libya). Throughout his discussion the author makes clear where the political reality is at odds with the normative ideal.