Religious thinkers; political leaders; lawmakers; writers; and philosophers have shaped the 1;400-year-long development of the world's second-largest religion. But who were these people? What do we know of their lives and the ways in which they influenced their societies? In Islamic Civilization in Thirty Lives; the distinguished historian of Islam Chase F. Robinson draws on the long tradition in Muslim scholarship of commemorating in writing the biographies of notable figures; but he weaves these ambitious lives together to create a rich narrative of Islamic civilization; from the Prophet Muhammad in the seventh century to the era of the world conquerer Timur and the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II in the fifteenth. Beginning in Islam’s heartland; Mecca; and ranging from North Africa and Iberia in the west to Central and East Asia; Robinson not only traces the rise and fall of Islamic states through the biographies of political and military leaders who worked to secure peace or expand their power; but also discusses those who developed Islamic law; scientific thought; and literature. What emerges is a fascinating portrait of rich and diverse Islamic societies. Alongside the famous characters who colored this landscape—including Muhammad’s cousin ’Ali; the Crusader-era hero Saladin; and the poet Rumi—are less well-known figures; such as Ibn Fadlan; whose travels in Eurasia brought fascinating first-hand accounts of the Volga Vikings to the Abbasid Caliph; the eleventh-century Karima al-Marwaziyya; a woman scholar of Prophetic traditions; and Abu al-Qasim Ramisht; a twelfth-century merchant millionaire. An illuminating read for anyone interested in learning more about this often-misunderstood civilization; this book creates a vivid picture of life in all arenas of the pre-modern Muslim world.
#705325 in Books 2014-07-31Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x .75 x 6.00l; .0 #File Name: 0520277678320 pages
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Fascinating; but broader perspective lackingBy FaceI had mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand; as a Silicon Valley native; so much of this rang true. I recognize all of the stories told by the study participants; and absolutely recognize the economic and class insecurities they describe. It's been pretty shocking to watch the abject economic stratification that has taken place here over the past 3-4 decades. The standard of living for a lot of middle class folks has either fallen off a cliff or is being propped up by levels of debt that are frantically hidden behind fragile facades.All that being said.... I couldn't help but feel irked by the author's indirect implication that somehow the problem is entirely the fault of "government" or "the system". I got an uncomfortable sense of implied entitlement from some of the stories. Yes; much of the situation is beyond any individual's control; but at the same time; many of those who are in sketchy economic shape did a lot to get themselves there through their own poor choices.I felt that the author lacked a broader sense of the human economic condition over the course of history. The period of prosperity in the US following WWII was just that--- a PERIOD of prosperity. However; the generations just now emerging from the end of that period haven't quite come to grips with the fact that that period is ending. History marches on; and Americans cannot expect to have the same degree of financial security that their parents or grandparents (after the Depression ended) enjoyed. Certainly we would like to; and there was always the myth of having one's children enjoy a higher standard of living than one's own; but the fact is that economic history evolves. Time moves on; the world changes; and economies and nations react to events beyond any one government's control. The prosperity of the last half of the 20th century lulled Americans into a false sense of economic complacency--- "Wouldn't things ALWAYS be this good?"Of course; at the opposite end of the spectrum you have the wealthy folks who also participated in the author's study; who obviously have done quite well and yet STILL feel insecurity on behalf of their children. There's a lot to be said for the fear instilled by the "flattening" of the globe. These folks aren't wrong to be concerned--- the playing field has become a lot more crowded as globalization has robbed the US of its economic hegemony. Competition for the best jobs (and the best standard of living) has become fierce at the top. And the people at the top have no doubt seen how many of their own peers have so easily slipped down the socioeconomic ladder.The picture that Cooper paints is indeed troubling; and the issues are very real. The times are indeed insecure.... but was there ever REALLY any true security? Just how much economic security do any of us have a right to expect? The programs instituted by Roosevelt's New Deal in the 1930's did indeed begin knitting a financial safety net for the American people that had an enormous impact on the national economic psyche.... but remember; if WWII had not come along; we have no idea how well those programs would ultimately have fared. It was the War that sent America on an economic rocket ship that only began sputtering 50 years later. New times present new challenges. And the events and measures that improved economic security for Americans in the last century are behind us.So this is an interesting read; but it does feel as though the perspective is a bit narrow.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. this is an important bookBy M. JosephsonMarianne apparently helped Sheryl Sandberg on her near-masterpiece Lean In. This book by her goes farther. Up and down the income scale; there are new and constant sources of insecurity. No one is prepared; no matter how rich or poor. Some books like this I just skim. On this one I read every word. It helped me think about my job. This book helped me know the world in which I work and I am thankful to this author for helping me understand it. And; with very clear normal-person-writing. She sets up her scientific sociological lingo and then sticks with it. No mumbo jumbo academic stuff! Mj0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Four StarsBy Cari StoltzDefinitely written in an "academic" writing style; but FASCINATING!
