Ahmad ibn Hanbal by Christopher Melchert (Oxford: Oneworld, 2006), 143 pages, ISBN: 1-85168-407-7 978-1-85168-407-6

Christopher Melchert has been known for his works on the formation of Sunni thought. Known as one of George Makdisi’s seven students, Melchert’s academic life began in the United States and has continued in England. The author, who conducted research in Istanbul, Cairo and Damascus at different times in his academic life, carried out his academic studies at University of Oxford from 2000 until his retirement. Melchert completed his PhD thesis titled “The Formation of the Sunni Schools of Law: 9th-10th Centuries C.E.” in 1992 and has written many studies in the following years. Melchert’s book, Ahmad ibn Hanbal, was written in English as part of a series. “Makers of the Muslim World”, which can be translated as “Shapers of the Muslim World”, is edited by Khaled El-Rouayheb (Harvard) and Sabine Schmidtke (Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton). This series is devoted to the men and women who have made a contribution to the political, intellectual and religious landscape of the Muslim world throughout history.