'This book is an excellent initial step in Shi`i hadith studies.' - Journal of Semitic Studies 'The Formative Period of Twelver Shi'ism teaches us a great deal both about hadith collections in general, and about Shi'i hadith and the development of Imami Shi'ism, in particular.' - Bulletin of the Royal Institute for Inter-Faith Studies

• Chapter 1 The View from Baghdad; Chapter 2 The View from Baghdad; Chapter 3 Pockets of Believers; Chapter 4 Al-Barq? and the Beginnings of the Qumm?/Ash?ar? Association with the Traditions; Chapter 5 Al-?aff?r’s Ba???ir al-Daraj?t; Chapter 6 Al-Kulayn?’s al-K?f?; Chapter 7 Al-?aff?r and al-Kulayn? on the Imams and the Imamate; Chapter 8 Al-K?f? From Theology to Practice; Chapter 9 Summary and Conclusions;