“From Moses to Muhammad” explores the shared literary and cultural origins of Judaism, Christianity and Islam in the context of the Babylonian, Egyptian, Greco-Roman and pre-Islamic civilizations. Among others, the author describes the use of Mesopotamian literary motifs by the Torah; the adoption of Greco-Roman iconography, as well as the Roman basilica form, by early Christianity; and the retention of pre-Islamic practices by early Islam, such as the circumambulation around the Ka’bah, the holy shrine in Mecca. In addition, Dr. Isbouts compares a number of narratives that all three traditions have in common, including the stories of Abraham, Joseph and Moses; and in the case of the Qur'an, the narratives about Jesus and his mother, Mary. What's more, this second edition includes over 100 maps, photographs and archaeological objects photographed throughout the Middle East.“From Moses to Muhammad” has received numerous favorable reviews. Prof. Bruce Chilton (“Rabbi Jesus”) wrote, “With sweeping narrative and vivid analysis, Jean-Pierre Isbouts shows that Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are rooted in common sources of revelation.” NYU’s Prof. Francis E. Peters (“The Children of Abraham”) calls the book “an exciting and scrupulously fair book,” and a “trustworthy guide throughout a perennial minefield.” And Rabbi David Rosen said that the book “makes a most important contribution to help overcome negative stereotypes.” With sweeping narrative and vivid analysis, Jean-Pierre Isbouts shows clearly and accessibly that Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are rooted in common sources of revelation. --BRUCE CHILTON ("Rabbi Jesus") An exciting and scrupulously fair book, in a field where excitement often overwhelms fairness. Note here: Isbouts is a trustworthy guide through a perennial minefield. --FRANCIS PETERS ("Explaining Islam") This is a compelling story about the shared history of the three faiths, told in a way as it has never been told before. --SIR DAVID FROST The value of this book is not only in the wealth of information it provides, but in enabling the reader to acquire a profound appreciation for the history and ethos of the three main Abrahamaic traditions. ---- Rabbi DAVID ROSEN. Dr. Isbouts' investigation, which compels us to consider evidence as the basis for historical truth, is especially refreshing in our religiously charged times. ---- Rabbi PETER RUBINSTEIN The book is particularly of interest for readers who, prodded by relentless media coverage of Islamic extremism, would like to understand the true underpinnings of Islam as compared to the Judeo-Christian tradition. The book is respectful of Jewish, Christian and Muslim beliefs, while still deploying the tools of critical biblical exegesis. The result is a narrative that, while grounded in secular scholarship, makes an important contribution to understanding the shared vocabulary of the three great faiths - and particularly, the vernacular of their biblical narratives. "From Moses to Muhammad" traces the origins of the three monotheistic religions in the context of the literary and cultural milieu of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Israel and Asia Minor, as well as the Hejaz, the region in southeast Arabia where Muhammad first received his revelations. In the process, Dr. Isbouts identifies a number of narratives that would resonate among all three religions, particularly those involving Adam & Eve, Abraham, Joseph, Moses and (in the case of the Qur'an) even Jesus. As such, From Moses to Muhammad is arguably the first book to compare the stories of the Bible and the Qur'an side by side for a general audience, while exploring the role of these narratives in the gestation of the three faiths. Dr. Jean-Pierre Isbouts is a humanities scholar and Professor in two doctoral programs of Fielding Graduate University in Santa Barbara, CA. His previous publications include the bestseller "National Geographic's The Biblical World" (National Geographic Society, 2007) and "Young Jesus: Restoring the Lost Years of a Social Activist and Religious Dissident" (Sterling, 2008). A documentary based on "Young Jesus" was broadcast by select PBS stations in Easter of 2008; a film based on "From Moses to Muhammad" is currently in production. Used Book in Good Condition