first two chapters by comparing mainstream traditional Islamic teaching with the ideology promoted by such groups as the so-called ‘Islamic State’.

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The following chapter looks at the works of early radical thinkers, for example Ibn Taymiyya and Al-Wahhab, both of whom who were to influence modern Islamists such as Sayyid Qutb of the Muslim Brotherhood and Osama bin Laden who founded Al-Qaeda.

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All these radical thinkers formed their ideology against a particular historical background. For example Ibn Taymiyya crystalised the doctrine of military jihad in the context of the Mongol invasions of the 13th century. Al-Wahhab and Sayyid Qutb both lived at a time when the Ottoman Empire was in decline and the Arab world was moving into a period of instability following World War One. These issues, including the rise of Arab nationalism are discussed in chapter four.

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The final three chapters examine the recent rise of militant Islamism including an exploration of the origins of Al-Qaeda and the subsequent growth of Al-Qaeda in Iraq, which morphed into the so-called Islamic State.

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The book is written in an accessible style and includes helpful maps and charts. As with other books in this series it would appeal to the non-specialist. It is aimed at the general reader who is interested in a particular topic but does not have the time or inclination to read a heavy academic tome.