This book investigates the construction and dissemination of 'Mahomet,' a distorted portrayal of the Prophet Muhammad, within early modern English culture. Matthew Dimmock examines a diverse array of sources, including literary works, historical accounts, and visual materials, to understand how this fabricated figure was utilized and contested from the advent of print to the early Enlightenment. The book argues that the narratives surrounding Mahomet reveal significant insights into English perceptions of global geographies, diverse religions, and their own national identity during this transformative period.

The book is recognized for its deep dive into the historical construction of religious figures and their impact on cultural identity. Scholars likely appreciate its interdisciplinary approach, drawing from literature, history, and visual arts to reconstruct a complex historical narrative. The work's focus on the 'making of Englishness' through engagement with an 'other' suggests a nuanced exploration of national identity formation. It offers a compelling argument for how the mythologizing of foreign religious figures shaped both internal perceptions and external relations in early modern England.