The Koran has constituted a remarkably strong core of identity and continuity for a religious tradition that is now in its 15th century. This "Very Short Introduction" explores the significance of the Koran both in the end-of-millennium world and in traditional Muslim culture. Michael Cook provides an account of the Koran as codex, as scripture, as liturgy, and as the embodiment of truth, and examines its means of formation and dissemination. He also discusses issues of interpretation for certain key verses, demonstrating that fecundity of the text for readers throughout the world.