Iconic Books and Texts

"Together the 22 essays in this volume creatively and effectively draw together different historical epochs, varied religious and cultural traditions and ritual practices, and diverse scholarly methodologies to create a finely woven tapestry depicting the enduring, transcultural, and mutually supportive significances of iconic books and texts. In addition to giving these previously published essays a wider audience, this collection will help foster meaningful cross-disciplinary conversation between readers interested in all aspects of the history of the book." SHARP News "...Iconic Books and Texts is a compelling and provocative study. For those already interested in the nontextual dimensions of religious experience and practice, this volume will be a welcome addition to the scholarly literature. For more traditional textualists, this volume offers a corrective to the logocentric tendencies in religious (and especially biblical) studies by highlighting the role of sacred texts as artifacts of material and visual culture. The research presented here is rigorous but accessible. Individual essays or the book as a whole would enrich a variety of undergraduate and masters-level courses." --Ryan P. Bonfiglio, Columbia Theological Seminary, Review of Biblical Literature 10.23.16 "...I highly recommend this volume to those interested in reflecting on the value of the Qur'an both today and in the past through cross-cultural comparison and new perspectives." --Andrew Rippin, University of Victoria and Institute of Ismaili Studies, Journal of Qur'anic Studies Vol 18(2), 2016