This interesting book contains a series of lectures on comparative religion delivered by Duncan Black MacDonald before the University of Chicago in 1906. The author was at that time Professor of Semitic Languages at Hartford Theological Seminary, and had previously published other works on Islamic belief. 'The Religious Attitude and Life in Islam' is, however, a welcome departure from the systematical theological studies of Islamic faith. In this work the author attempts to convey the underlying social structures and character of the Muslim people which have helped mould their religious belief. Drawing on his extensive studies of Arabic texts the author has written a sensitive account of the essential nature of the Islamic faith and the well-spring from which the spirit of its people is drawn. Though eight decades have passed since its original publication, the work retains much that is of value to contemporary readers.