Warraq, best known as the author of Why I Am Not a Muslim , assembles 15 studies applying western standards of history to the Prophet and the origins of Islam, ranging from the early 19th century to the end of the 20th. Among the questions they raise are whether the Koran was dictated by Muhammed at all or even compiled earlier than a hundred years after his death, whether much of Muslim sacred tradition must be dismissed as hearsay, and whether the Jihad was largely a religious or a mercenary undertaking. The anthology is not indexed. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)