An extraordinary piece of scientific work not only giving a preview of historic context but also the remarkably neutral and scientific interpretations. Indeed, it is very challenging to turn off own's worldview, which Jonathan Brown has very successfully done. The minute details also give a preview of the invention of a radical Saudi Islam.
This book is a must read for people of faith but particularly for Muslims - as they should know and must know about the context of many interpretations - rather than blindly following the interpretations of religious clerics.