Islamic History through Coins has become the standard reference for Islamic coinage struck by the Ikhshidid rulers of Egypt and Palestine (935-69). The second edition not only corrects minor errors in the first edition but adds data on more than three hundred new specimens; including a half-dozen coin types not identified in the first edition. The new specimens include two examples struck with the mint name Mecca and a gold issue associated with the famous eunuch Kafur; two years before he became sole ruler of Egypt. As noted in a number of very positive reviews; the value of this book is that it serves two distinct audiences successfully. While the first part of the book is considered the best introduction to the study of Islamic coinage available in English and serves the needs of students; faculty; collectors and dealers who are seeking a place to start their possible study of Islamic numismatics; the second half is a catalogue of more than 1;500 specimens; enabling curators; collectors; and dealers to identify coins and their relative rarity. The early chapters; which are heavily illustrated; demonstrate how numismatic evidence can be used to enhance our understanding of this period of Islamic rule. For example; the coinage reveals the hierarchy of parts of the names used by the Ikhshidid rulers; which cannot be found in narrative texts; and the retention of a pre-Islamic artistic memory of their Central Asian origins unknown until this study of their coinage.
#429281 in Books 2013-08-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 11.50 x 8.50 x 2.75l; 6.30 #File Name: 96522959141250 pages
Review
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful. Poignant statementBy Deadagain33It's been noted that this only focuses on the Jewish suffering of the holocaust; thus denying the subjugation of Roma; Gypsies; Gays; Quakers; Communists and the like via omittance. While this is worthy criticism; as all lives lost were terrible and suffering immense; the Jewish aspect is part of the modern identity of Jews and concentrating on this group - who were of course the majority of holocaust victims - helps look at it this dark tragedy from the eyes of a particular set of oppressed people. Aesthetically; containing one word throughout gives the impression of bland uniformity on a mass basis. It looks like a pattern until your close and realize it is a word. The repetition of "Jew" helps understand how rampant Hitlers antisemitism actually was. As the opening states; there's a family there; a shoemaker; a banker; etc. Every single one was someone. But to the Nazis they could only see them from a one dimensional aspect. They were not individual human beings with differing hopes; expectations; values; stations; preferences and moral conduct but Jews - a rotten filthy collective who are all parasites and should (due to Germany's progressive animal laws) be treated SIGNIFICANTLY WORSE THAN ANIMALS. A philanthropist or prostitute;it needn't matter a Jew is a Jew. Dangerous way of thinking. This book is provocative. Its thought provoking. I brought it to a university seminar and it was passed around. It made the topic of Hitler come to live. To mean something. Statistics alone never represent scale. One girl started crying. Some would say this is a gimmick and that it devalues its subject. Jews in it do not have names for example; but this isn't a weakness- its a strength. It shows the deluded mindset needed for this type of action. An effective piece. NEVER AGAIN.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. I purchased this book that finally quantifies what 6 million jews murdered in the holocaust look like. The entire book containsBy David MildenbergIt is difficult to really understand that 6 million jews were killed in the holocaust. Six million is only 10 letters; and very hard to grasp as a real number. It is perhaps easier to understand the value of 6 million when expressed in certain currencies; but as quantity; we have rarely seen 6 million units of anything.I purchased this book that finally quantifies what 6 million jews murdered in the holocaust look like. The entire book contains only one word: jew. It appears in 40 columns on 120 lines on every one of 625 sheets (1250 pages). Each page has 4800 jews on it. It is the most powerful book about the Nazi holocaust of Jews. I have read several books on the matter; and none are able to capture the horror and the inhumanity; none have been able to show what 6 million really means. Each time jew is written; it represents one soul; on person's dreams; a man; woman or a child.One line can be an entire family exterminated. I recommend; especially to mw jewish friends; to buy this book and keep it as a reminder of the holocaust and to honor every single life taken. It is probably impossible to read every single word in it; but the book speaks for itself by only scanning its contents.The quality of the book is also great.9 of 10 people found the following review helpful. Everyone was a life!By Morris L. GrebI just received my copy. Opening the book is like being struck by a sledge hammer. It brings meaning to me of the slogan;"Never forget; never again."It is an extremely important and timely book published as the world is forgetting or disbelieving what happened. Without narrative nor explanation it should teach us what hatred can do. Sadly the event memorialized continues even now on a daily basis throughout the world.
