Over a century of scholarship in Islamic art has produced numerous monographs, catalogues, and surveys; yet until recently, only a few studies have been published on the aesthetics of Islamic art. The last three decades, however, have seen several books and exhibitions that claim to deal with the “common principles,” “aesthetics,” and “philosophy” of Islamic art. Oliver Leaman’s book is both a contribution to and a critique of this particular tradition. Although according to Leaman his book is intended to “establish a solid foundation for the aesthetics of Islamic art” (vii), the book is in fact not solely focused on art but addresses questions in philosophy, literature, and music as well. With nine chapters that include such titles as “Eleven Common Mistakes about Islamic Art,” “God as Creator, Calligraphy and Symbolism,” and “Home and Garden,” the book seems to serve more than anything as a receptacle for Leaman’s enormous erudition, which ranges over centuries, regions, languages, and academic fields. While sometimes enriching, this kind of erudition can equally be disorienting, as the author breathlessly moves within the span of a few pages between the tenth-century philosopher al-Farabi and the contemporary Syrian poet Adonis. More disconcerting is the overall aggressive tone...