The author, Paul Lunde, elucidates the reader in great detail on the history of the Islamic faith, as a religious, cultural, political and economic force. Like all DK books, “Islam: Faith, Culture, History” is an illustrated reference book that is highly visual in its approach. The text is supplemented by hundreds of gorgeous photographs of Islamic art and architecture, as well as maps, and 3-D diagrams and illustrations, often with fascinating cut-aways, that realistically add to the viewers understanding. A beautiful book, in like new condition!