Esack's book is an excellent introduction for those who are beginners in Quranic studies as well as a great refresher for those more involved with Quranic studies. Esack is able to cover the main themes of the Quran as well as the historical and contemporary discussions relating to the Quran. It is also very well researched from an academic point of view as it uses both contemporary and traditional sources for Quranic commentary. Finally, this book is a great starting point for understanding the Quran.