Middle East Books

As a homeschooling mom, I highly value books that inform my child about historical facts, while captivating them with exciting stories. I highly recommend this book as a supplement to any Egyptian studies. Written in "newspaper format", it is a joy to read aloud to my children. Using imaginative headlines and wonderful illustrations and photos, this book has definitely captured my child's attention. The plethora of historical facts presented are accurate and entertaining. I would recommend this book for children between the ages of 5-12.

This is a wonderful book that written in a News form. The information are incredibles. I totally think that this is a great book for anyone who is interest in Ancient Egypt.

This book presented some events from Egypt's history in the form of newspaper articles. It was a very creative way to give children an introduction to Egyptian history. It presented lots of interesting informationa, and also some neat pictures. This book is good at sparking a greater interest in history in children while entertaining them at the same time.

This is a delightful book. It has wonderful color illustrations on every page, and it's loaded with facts and information about the history of Ancient Egypt. It covers a 3000 yr. period, and contains a detailed, colored map of ancient Egypt, articles on pyramid building and the mystery surrounding the death of Tutankhamun, a list of the most important Egyptian gods and pharaohs, and charming colored "ads" for goods and services in use at that time. This informative book should appeal to kids, teenagers and adults alike, who want to learn more about the fascinating realm of ancient Egypt.

Very happy with transaction, book arrived early with an awesome condition! I recommend this seller!

Unlike many other books, this volume covers the history of the entire Near East, from Iran to Anatolia, and not just Mesopotamia or the Hittites. This gives it an unusual breadth, as parts of the entire region influence each other. And in ranging from the dawn of historic cultures around the year 3000 BC up to Alexander the Great, it includes all of the independent ancient civilizations that subsequently disappeared.

This book is very much like a textbook. It is more difficult than popular history, but certainly not an academic treatise. Importantly, there are many maps, and extensive lists of kings of the various states.

Egypt only comes into the story when involved with the peoples of the Near East. Interestingly, the periods of Egyptian history known as the Intermediate periods, when the central power fell apart and conditions seemed more chaotic, correspond very closely to what are described as Dark Ages in the Near East. This book does not pursue those parallels, but they are interesting.

This volume is a good introduction to the history of the Ancient Near East. The author surveys the history of Sumeria, Babylonia, Assyria, Persia and the Hittite Empire in a highly readable style. Quotes from numerous important texts are included in each chapter and the author does a good job of not only telling us what happened, but also why it happened.

The book is well illustrated with black and white photos and numerous, highly useful, maps. At the end of the book is an excellent bibliography that will point the interested reader to other good articles and books on the topic.

This book was published in 2004 and incorporates the latest scholarship in the field. The author has done a great job of making ancient history come alive!

This text is a brief summary of the history of the Mesopotamia from 3000 BCE to 300 BCE. It is clear and concise. Van De Mieroop offers a very engaging introduction to this topic. It is an excellent text for those who want to survey the period. He also includes bibliographies for those who would like to go deeper.

Six years ago, I wrote my first review for Amazon, of Richard N. Frye's "Bukhara: The Medieval Achievement". Frye's work, concentrating mostly on the 10th and 11th centuries, described in detail how Turkic-speaking nomads combined with Iranian city dwellers and Arab bringers of a new religion to create a new synthesis in Islam in Central Asia, particularly in the city of Bukhara. That syncretic Islam later became most instrumental in the development of the Muslim faith in the Indian subcontinent. Levin's THE HUNDRED THOUSAND FOOLS OF GOD mainly describes the condition of music and musicians in the 1990s in the modern republics of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. That same Richard N. Frye provides a strong endorsement on the back cover. I too find that this volume is a worthy successor in the on-going "project" of bringing Central Asian history and culture before Western eyes. The musical world of Central Asia still involves synthesis and syncretism---between the West and tradition, between new conservatism and older tolerance, between Soviet atheism and local spirituality, between Islam and older religions which we might label shamanistic, and between so-called ethnic groups like Uzbeks and Tajiks.

Levin travelled around the region with a musical companion, Otanazar Matyakubov, who provided endless contacts and insights. Together they interviewed and listened to all the varied performers of Central Asian music, from a female pop singer to humble performers of classical styles, from healers in remote villages who used music in their rituals to performers at schmaltzy Jewish weddings in the transplanted Bukharan Jewish community in Queens, New York. Levin describes the surroundings in which he found each musician, tells of his travels in decrepit cars between ancient cities or by donkey through the dramatic mountain scenery of remotest Tajikistan. While a certain amount of detail may be of interest chiefly to fellow ethnomusicologists, those specialized observations are spaced throughout the text in such a way that the non-professional reader never feels overwhelmed. Levin provides a number of excellent photographs, maps, and most importantly, a brilliant CD which illustrates all the styles and instruments he discusses. The effect of 70 years of Soviet policies is often mentioned, and a reader can deduce the results of this assault on local culture, though I would have liked more direct comment. Moscow's insistence on creating discrete "nationalities" created virulent brands of Uzbek and Tajik (and so many other) nationalism where none had existed. It created separate, ethnic-based countries where none had ever existed. It even created "Uzbek" and "Tajik" music out of a formerly seamless Central Asian tradition. This Soviet policy ultimately resulted in the squeezing out of Bukharan Jews-prominent in the Central Asian musical world for centuries---because they were deemed insufficiently "Uzbek" by newly nationalistic authorities.

In short, this is one of the best books of ethnomusicology I have ever read. It would be of interest to anyone trying to learn more about Central Asia and must be required reading for anthropologists concerned with the area. THE HUNDRED THOUSAND FOOLS OF GOD also brings the region to life and underlines the difference between the materialistic, narrowly nationalistic present and the past in which musicians played out of devotion and love of God without trying to fit into some culture apparatchik's idea of "national music".

Mr. Levin writes about cultural survival and cultural decay in Transoxiana, as seen from the vantage point of traditional musicians. Combining his own traveler's tales with detailed but accessible musicological analysis, he examines the role of the traditional performing arts in the modern world of Uzbekistan, and the way that they have been subverted by the Soviet and successor governments. Engagingly written, without condescension towards the reader or the people of whom he writes, this book will reward readers interested in the cultural life of the region.

Mr. Levin has truly accomplished something noteworthy in this book. It is perhaps the best book from the often boring realm of ethnomusicological research that I have read in recent years. The breadth of understanding and acute cultural awareness brought out in the book is fantastic. It should find an audience among music scholars as well as the average reader, especially given the uncomplicated way Levin tells his tale. The addition of the CD to the book is truly complimentary unlike many of the other "multi-media" gimmicks so often offered to entice the buyer. This book is essential for anyone who seeks a clarity in writing about the musics of another culture.

This book is a many faceted report on the state of music in the Central Asian Republics of the former Soviet Union, especially Uzbekistan. The author did his Ph.D. research in ethnomusicology in Tashkent on traditional court music called Shash maqam in 1977-1978. At the time, Levin was not as interested in this music as he had expected, which he later attributed to the Soviet cultural policies which extinguished the spark of vivacity from the Uzbek music. This book details many of the author's subsequent travels to Central Asia in search of traditional musicians who managed somehow to develop their unique talents within the stifling socialist milieu.

Levin provides much information about the artists, their music, and their poetry, which can all be heard on the accompanying CD. In the text itself, he rarely describes the instruments played by the musicians, referring to them merely with their local names. However, descriptions of the instruments can be found in the glossary at the end of the book, which I unfortunately didn't notice until I had finished reading. Occasionally, Levin's musicology terms get a little too thick for the general reader, but on the whole, the book is quite accessible.

The strongest aspect of the book is its description of the culture history of music in the Soviet Union. In my own brief travels to the Soviet Union, I was struck by how many people there were acquainted with classical music--how an appreciation of classical music stretched across the entire society. I never saw the dark side of this, however. In this book, Levin describes how centralized state policies governed even the field of music, changing and obliterating centuries' old traditions.

I had the pleasure of stumbling across this book recently and purchasing it through Amazon; it contains striking pictures of Islamic people & places captured by Peter Sanders, a famous English photographer. The associated descriptions and quotes from Islamic sources for each impeccably selected photograph greatly enhance the high production quality.

In this day and age where the electronic media is replete with images of death, destruction, and violence this book serves as a breath of fresh air, evoking the simplicity and beauty inherent in being near to one's Creator.

Mr. Sanders has a great gift to see the world through a beautiful lens, and to be able to share it with Muslims and non-Muslims alike. He has a well-crafted web site (which I'll fail to mention, respecting Amazon's review guidelines) that contains a mini-photo gallery - as well as info on his forthcoming books in the series which I hope to see available here soon, inshAllah (God willing).

If you're still debating whether to buy this book or not, stop and just click the button; trust me, you won't regret this purchase one bit! :)

The photography of Peter Sanders takes us into a new world of possibilties and challenges us to humanise the "other". A man who straddles East and West, Sanders captures the spiritual depth and universal message of the lived Muslim experience in a way few others have. Each photograph is the starting point for a narrative that ought to be written by those who view them. A blessed and marvelous work!

This book came as a gift from a dear friend who happens to be a Christian from Britain. His note read "I thought you might appreciate this lovely book." Lovely it is indeed. In many ways. A gift that is a challenge to repay.

Great photographers' through their works get us to see and comprehend the world surrounding us. A few among great photgraphers are able to translate to us through their images what we miss or are not able to see inside the people arround us.

Peter Sanders' work gives us glimpses of many insides. It is a look at many parts of the world of Islam. But as you go through the images and the words you see straight into the crevaces of Sanders' yearning. And from his inside you can see much of what it is to be a muslim. A word that means something along the line: one who is willfully submiting in peace, to the Peace.

In these days of many horrors this work is a gift for those who want to know. A gift for searching hearts.

Peter Sanders, one of the first non-Muslim's (Before he entered Islam) to take photo's of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, has put together an excellent pictorial journey through specific countries and places.

While the cover claims, "An Odyssey through the Muslim World", I would choose to call this collection a glimpse into the heart of Peter Sanders.

Mr. Sanders went through his extensive collection of photographs taken from throughout the World, and picked ones that he felt had something to say. He placed a quick commentary and some words of wisdom together with each photograph, and created this book.

Some of the pictures are breathtaking, and some are not so breathtaking. Some of the pictures become breathtaking after reading the commentary; Several pictures made me scratch my head in puzzlement. But after reading Mr. Sander's explanation, I found a new appreciation for the pictures.

I think the book can pass off as an interesting coffee table book. Some people though, will find the photo's and the commentary exceptionaly interesting, and find the book much more then an idle conversation passer.

Anybody interested in exceptional photography (In my limited appreciation of photography) from North Africa and the Middle East will find this book worth the cost.

Peter Sanders is an acquantance of Shaikh Hamza Yusuf; for some people, that might be enough reference to purchase the book.

This book does two specific things:
1. Provides modern history of the Kurds, mainly the Kurds inside Iraq. This is not an all-encompassing Kurdish history book, although it does touch on some collective Kurdish events.
2. Provides needed perspective on U.S. operations in Iraq: post-1991 and the 2003- invasion. It shows the Kurdish opinion of U.S. intervention.

If you're looking for this scope of information, this is an excellent read. If you are looking for a complete history of all Kurds everywhere, this is not the book.

Having said this, Quil's writing style engages the reader and jumps to related events when necessary to help bring clarity. This is not a read that stiffly follows a chronological time line.

Some takeaways from this book:
1. Iraqi Kurds are independent as a nation already within "Kurdistan," probably since 1991, and we simply have not "officially" recognized them within an international venue (such as UN).
2. The coming choice for the international community will be to either ignore this, or take a leap and recognize the nation of Kurdistan, even if its borders are only within the confines of Iraq.

This book was well written.
It was given as gift and was throughly enjoyed by the reader.
Hope to see more books written by the author in the future.

Lawrence's insightful look at this little understood nation will open your eyes to events that led to America's invasion of Iraq. His first hand knowledge and in-depth research will introduce you to a cast of characters that underlay America's invasion and continue to influence events in the region. This eminently readable book will be referred to by historians for decades to come as America's misadventure is studied.
Lawrence's travels have clearly given him a great fondness for the region. In vivid language, Lawrence gives you a feel for the landscape and people of Iraqi Kurdistan. Several times while reading Invisible Nation I found myself thinking that I wanted to travel there. No other person has made me want to visit Iraq.
Buy this book!

As a producer/director for British and American TV I have made numerous films in and about Iraq over the last five years, but Invisible Nation is a revelation to me. Like most people covering the tragedy, I have been distracted by the carnage in the south and Lawrence's book fills a gaping hole. He has been a regular visitor there since shortly before the US invasion and, as well as providing a potted history of Iraqi Kurdistan, he paints a vivid picture of the country, its people and its leaders. There is a wonderful breezy energy to his prose and by the end we feel not only informed but also emotionally involved in what happens there.

Lawrence was an eye-witness to many of the key events he describes and he talks us through the strange parallel history that has unfolded. As Sunni and Shia Iraq have descended into anarchy, the Kurds, largely un-noticed, have established the prosperous, peaceful, functioning democracy (rough and ready though it may be) that was supposed to be the goal all along. The paradox is that it is only the weakness of their southern neighbours that has enabled them to do so and, should the US succeed in restoring stability in the rest of Iraq, Baghdad will almost certainly try and re-establish its traditional control. The Sunnis can look for support to Saudi Arabia, the Shias to Iran. The Kurds have no-one to shake a stick on their behalf other than us, and we have always betrayed them in the past. The truly unforgivable final act in this tragedy, as we scuttle away from the disaster we have inflicted, would be to do so again as the price of peace.

Richard Sanders

This is an interesting book. Anyone who is interested in an alternative to the right wing talk radio and tv news should seriously consider checking out the Thom Hartmann radio show opposite Rush Limbaugh weekdays at: thomhartmann dot com / showlisten.shtml

Whether democrat, republican, or indepedent, so many of the facts out there are completely ignored by the mainstream media and talk shows. This show is one strong example of an examination of the facts regardless of your political affiliation. I am not affiliated with the show in any way, just struck by the facts so many seem to ignore.

Written by the CIA's senior political analyst on Iraq throughout the Iran-Iraq War, Iraq And The International Oil System: Why America Went To War In The Gulf is a stinging indictment of America's true motives behind its military expeditions to Iraq. To this day no "weapons of mass destruction" have been found in Iraq; Iraq And The International Oil System postulates that the real reason for America's involvement in Iraq is not just to have a source of oil, but to strategically control the oil of the Persian Gulf and arguably the world, Iraq And The International Oil System dissects politics, lies, real motives, the ties of U.S. and foreign oil companies and the wherewhithal of nations to manipulate one another. A sober wake-up call to dark true motives and the desperate need for the truth to come out.

"As of this writing no weapons of mass destruction have been found. And, even if a cache were to be uncovered, can anyone seriously believe that weak, defenseless Iraq ever seriously intended to attack the United States?
No, we really must conclude that it was oil, the need of the United States to control the oil of the Gulf, that sent America to war.
The important thing now to comprehend is why was the oil of the Persian Gulf specifically so important to get control of?
And that is where this book should be a help. . . ."
-from the Preface

Recently I did an extensive college research paper on the connection between oil and the recent Gulf Wars, and of all the books that I used, this one was the most useful. Great for understanding the Iran-Iraq war, the media blitz against saddam in the run up of the first Gulf war, and more. I highly recommend it.

Pelletier, I think, is a bit controversial because he places the blame for the Halabja massacre about equally on Iran and Iraq, but his credentials are impeccable and his version of events is highly plausible.

Ms. Roraback's "Iraq in a Nutshell" as well as her entire Nutshell Note series should be required reading in our Public Schools. Ms. Rorabacks' written work will "open the eyes " of readers wishing to learn and experience the present middle east including information regarding its origin, social and cultural way of life. The "Iraq in a Nutshell" book is extremely organized, professional and informative. Ms. Roraback has a profound way of sharing information while being completely objective both politically and religiously . Our present perceptions of the middle east are generally based on both myth and strero-type. Ms. Roraback has managed to show us a new a clear image of a people and land we know little about. I highly recommended this reading. Daniel Burke, Los Angeles, Ca.

I am amazed at how clearly, concisely, and objectively this book explains the complex history and politics of Iraq in just 60 pages! As a high school history teacher I strongly recommend this book for every household, classroom, and White House bookshelf.

I have a few of these "Nutshell Notes" books and I have even visited the website, www.nutshellnotes.com and I must say that these books do a superb job of telling it like it is--no fluff, no confusion, no words that I have to look up in the dictionary every other sentence, just pure, concise information.
I also really like that the author's voice is not tainted by any particular right or left wing opinon, it is very journalistic and straight forward. You can pick it up, read for one minute or one hour and you will come away having learned something new.
I recommend these books for anyone from a seventh grader doing a school report to an adult interested in getting themself more educated in the world issues at hand. It is definitely worth $5.95, in fact, I think they should go for more!

After enjoying Amanda Roraback's Islam in a Nutshell, I allocated a portion of my day to devour another in her series of "Nutshell" books. Iraq, with its pivotal location as a hotbed of humanity, seemed the next logical destination. I turned off CNN (talking heads blah blah), unplugged the phone (telemarketer blah blah), hopped offline (porn blah blah) and began reading. Once again, my time was well spent as I journeyed into the Middle East as it was then and learned why it is now. Granted, this wonderful read went to publication just as the war commenced, so don't expect any capture of Saddam insights. Not to worry, though, as you'll be brought up to speed as to Iraq's history in a way that's as entertaining as is it informative. Roraback's objectivity remains intact, as it concludes with a valuable Arguments Against War and Arguments In Favor of War section that should be required reading for hawks and doves alike. Someday soon I will try and contact Ms. Roraback to see if she's working on a Britney Spears' Wedding in a Nutshell, but she'd probably tell me that would be redundant.

A unique work that goes beyond the Middle East and presents a global view of the events that have shaped Islamic history.

What I look for in a history narration is not just facts and dates, which can be found out from any text, but an evaluation, analysis, and insights. Dr. Nazeer Ahmed's text provides that and more. In vivid narrative, world history literally comes alive. As with so many histories that are missing the crucial truths of the Islamic golden age and its marvelous culture, art, and tolerance, Dr. Ahmed's telling is refreshingly original. Its Muslim perspective and clarification of many gray areas in Western history is sorely needed in contemporary discussions of Islam's past. One example of a gleaned pearl of wisdom I picked up from these books, in two volumes, is: the concept of infinity was first discovered by the Muslims, in alignment with their scripture's, the Holy Quran, definition of God as the Vast, Unlimited. No culture or peoples that did not believe in God or believed in a limited God could have discovered and understood the awesome concept of infinity. Philosophical treats such as this and brilliant insights await you in this well-written yet concise book.

The major events and major groups are presented in a logical, easy to understand format, with excellent summaries at the beginning of each chapter. Although I don't always agree with his conclusions, I found the author's explanations of why things happened, when they did, usually quite insightful and helpful.

Together with Islam in Global History, Volume 1, this is the only book which gave me a global perspective on the events and personalities that have shaped Islamic history.

Bernard Lewis is considered the foremost authority on the Middle East and has written many highly acclaimed works.

This book has 32 essays that focus on very specific topics. Each essay is presented objectively and his technical expertise and depth of knowledge is masterly.

My personal favorites in this collection are the essays on Muslim History and Historians, History and Revolution, New Idea's and lastly, the section on New Events.

Essays are designed to stand alone, however, when read consecutively as part of a section, also add further clarity as part of the larger topic.

We can only wish that people in responsible positions in the West had read and absorbed the points Bernard Lewis makes in "Islam in History." He certainly tried.

Lewis is no ivory tower historian who writes recondite monographs for other ivory tower historians. Many of the essays collected here -- as well as his other, more recent collection "From Babel to Dragomans: Interpreting the Middle East" -- were published in various easily accessible, if high brow, venues, such as the New York Review of Books.

And they have been out for a while. The first edition of "Islam in History" was published in 1973. It received the attention due to a leading -- some would say, the leading -- Western scholar of Islam, but not the understanding. In the preface to this newer, revised and expanded but still rather elderly collection (1993), Lewis thanks those who helped him but, in his reserved but mordant style, adds, "I do not however feel obliged to defer to the judgments of those reviewers who in 1973 thought that I had underestimated 'the gains made by secularism in the Muslim world' and that I had exaggerated the significance of Muslim movements in Iran."

Touche. But with the experience of an additional 15 years, we can see that even Lewis was not pessimistic enough. And that the executors of history have learned nothing at all from Lewis' half century of brilliant insights.

Not that I think they are all brilliant, a point I will expand later. But in a 1992 essay, Lewis probed deeply into the question: Why do they hate us? That Muslims do hate the West and its values should hardly be debatable in 2008, although it still is debated. In 1992, Lewis was bemused by the rally to Saddam by Muslims and Western leftists. His core paragraph deserves to be quoted in full:

"But beyond all these (enthusiasms of Arabs for antidemocratic forces in Europe) there was and unfortunately still is a profound, pervasive, and passionate hatred of the West and all it represents, as a world power, as an ideology, as a way of life, and that hatred is extended to embrace a wide range of local Westernizers and modernizers. It is a hatred so deep that it has led those who feel it to rally to any plausible enemy of the West -- even a racist like Hitler who despised Arabs, an atheist like Stalin who suppressed Islam, a gangster like Saddam Hussein who violated every rule of Arab decency and Islamic morality."

Well, I don't think much of "Arab decency," but if George Bush had understood the arguments that underlie that paragraph, he would not still be making fatuous statements about Iraqi democracy. He might still have been justified in knocking off Saddam. Being the only man in history to depose a genocidal murderer from his throne, hale him into a court of law and see him convicted and hanged is no small achievement, and Muslims should thank him for it, but they don't; but to also expect the rescued Muslims to embrace political liberty was expecting much too much.

After long experience, we are entitled to ask, is Islam compatible with democracy or, as I prefer to phrase it because, as Lewis says, democracy is a slippery word, especially as used by Arabs, popular self-government? The answer appears to be no, and this is where I part ways with Professor Lewis.

His massive erudition does not always save him from making some odd mistakes. For example, he excludes Buddhism from the universalizing religions. Buddhism is, like Islam and Christianity, both salvationist and universalizing. It is not, however, monotheistic, which saves it from being obnoxious to freedom.

Closer to the topic, he accepts Turkey as a democracy. It is, obviously, a disguised military dictatorship, although now in the crisis of Islam's indifference -- or worse -- toward even pretend democracy. It is unlikely Turkey will still present itself as a democracy much longer.

In several essays, Lewis writes about the Islamic view that innovation is a sin. This helps explain the deep conservatism of Islamic societies, and the Young Turks are the exception that proves the rule.

In "The Guns of August," Barbara Tuchman has a long passage on the curious indifference, even antagonism, of the Young Turks toward Anatolia's long and, at times, brilliant history. "We like new things," she quotes one of them as saying.

Yes, and the Young Turks abandoned Islam. The mass of the Turkish population has not, however, even after eight decades of experiencing the supposed benefits of new things. It would be difficult to find any Islamic political movement that likes new things, although Lewis astringently observes that some of the most reactionary -- like Khomeini -- blandly adopt Western forms when it suits them, like parliaments. When challenged, they are usually able to manufacture an Islamic justification, but there is, Lewis points out, no warrant in Islam for such a thing.

Lewis's particular merit -- among many -- is his willingness to notice the obvious. This is especially appealing in the last, most currently impressive essay (the one I quoted from), "The Middle East Crisis in Historical Perspective." But it is a characteristic virtue. In "Behind the Rushdie Affair," for example, Lewis manages to skewer not only Khomeini but a passel of Islamic jurisconsults for ignoring the very obvious violations of Islamic law in the fatwa.

This habit probably helps explain why Muslims and their apologists hate Lewis so much. This is strange, because Lewis, though not ignorant of Islam's flaws, is overall an admirer of this ancient system that once reveled "in the glorious days when Muslims led mankind in the arts and sciences of civilization."

The historical record, as I read it, does not show any such days, and at this point we are entitled to wonder whether the "ignorance, poverty and arbitrary rule" that Lewis identifies as Islam's modern flaws are not actually its necessary outcomes. Suicidal martyrs are known in Christianity and in other societies, but they are a wasting asset in every society but Islam.

We have to wonder why.

Lewis, as always, impresses; breadth of knowledge and research is typically outstanding. Flashes of good judgement, but pretentious and assertive (though mine's apparently an earlier edition: "Ideas, Men and Events...East" and he may've softened tone a touch for 2nd ed.)- and, regardless, it'd certainly be difficult to blame him for this-- the man's a thoroughbred. His philology isn't always accurate, and the spirit is truly 'orientalist' in Said's sense; nonetheless, a terribly enjoyable read and a classic source for a foundation in the subject.
ps- His Babel to Dragomans is even more impressive and should be compulsory.

As Professor Lewis states in the Preface to the second edition of this work, "Islam in History" is a collection of thirty-two articles on Islam. Anybody wishing to gain some understanding of this very important, very misunderstood, and very troubled civilization, should read this book. Lewis, once again, provides the reader with a magnificent work that is not pedantic but instructive, that does not belittle its subject nor its audience, and that demonstrates how necessary true scholarship is, particularly in times such as these.

The book is divided into eight parts: Western Approaches, Muslim History and Historians, Muslims and Jews, Turks and Tatars, In Black and White, History and Revolution, New Ideas, and New Events. Since this new edition dates from 1993, the recent developments in the world should not be expected. However, I really meant it when I wrote that true scholarship is necessary in our world: in the last essay of this volume, Lewis writes that there have been basically two atitudes from Muslims to confront the problems of the Islamic/Arab world (he does not deal with the East-Asian Mulims, like Indonesians and Malaysians, because he admits that he does not know much about them), divided into two questions. The first one is "What did we do wrong?" The second is "Who did this to us?" The first question leads to the search for solutions. The second question, and this deserves to be quoted at length, "leads to delusions and fantasies and conspiracy theories--indeed, the most dangerous enemies of the Muslim peoples at this time are those who assure them that in all their troubles the fault is not in themselves but in open or occult hostile forces. Such beliefs can only lead to resentment and frustration, to an endless, useless succession of bigots and tyrants and to a role in world history aptly symbolized by the suicide bomber. In the first of these questions ["What did we do wrong?], for those who have the courage to ask it, and the vision to answer, lies hope for the future and for a new dawn of Muslim creativity."

Professor Lewis wrote those lines in 1993, but they are as relevant today as if he had written them on September 12, 2001. In fact, the last number of "The Atlantic Monthly" has an article by Professor Lewis where he presents this basic premise once more, since it was true a decade ago and it is true today.

I cannot recommend Bernard Lewis's books strongly enough. This one, as all his other books that I have read, is erudite, informative, interesting, serious, entertaining and, above all, important. If you have never read anything by him, but are interested in this book, read his recent article in "The New Yorker" ("The Revolt of Islam"), and the already mentioned article in "The Atlantic." Those articles will serve as an Introduction to "Islam in History." Bernard Lewis is an extraordinary scholar, and we are lucky to have him with us.

This book suprized me. It is the first time I was made aware of this claims or facts. The author shows that the Shia is a response to Sunnis. They did not have a school of their own but when they excluded from the Sunni community, first they dissimulate as a Shaf'i and than started their own school of thought. They did not know in the beginning what they were doing and in time they established and made their own philosophy and all these are due in response to Sunnis. Author provides a lot of short biographical information about the Shia muctehids, quite interesting information. Their acceptance of concensus just to get approved by the majority of community and than their refusal of concencus as part of usul al-fikh. Proof that Imam Cafer Al-Sadiq(as) was not really the founding Imam of the Shiat's. They did not have any school of thought at that time because majority of the community did not have their own school of thought where they would reject the Shiat's because of their belief in Imamate, Mutah etc. Interesting, definetely a must read.

devin j stewart is a lia

Stewart has fully demonstrated the fallacy of perceiving Shii law as independent of Sunni law. His study reveals intriguing facts about the number of Sunni teachers that Shii luminaries such as Mufid, Tusi, Hilli, and others had. The book also shows the dependence which Shii scholarship had on Sunni works of usul al-Fiqh (legal principles) and Ijtihad (legal deduction). This book sets a fantastic precedent in our knowledge of Shiism and its historical background.

Stewart has fully demonstrated the fallacy of perceiving Shii law as independent of Sunni law. His study reveals intriguing facts about the number of Sunni teachers that Shii luminaries such as Mufid, Tusi, Hilli, and others had. The book also shows the dependence which Shii scholarship had on Sunni works of usul al-Fiqh (legal principles) and Ijtihad (legal deduction). This book sets a fantastic precedent in our knowledge of Shiism and its historical background.