Islam by Karen Armstrong is an academic introduction to the intersection of politics and religion in Islam. The beginning is excellent. The middle absolutely loses the narrative and becomes a mostly boring academic diatribe. The end brings the book somewhat back on track with the advent and explanation of fundamentalism in Islam. It's not a bad book but it does take an unmistakably dry turn.

If not for the audiobook I wouldn't have finished this one. I did learn valuable information though.