Muslims in American History: A Forgotten Legacy confronts the prevalent myth that Islam in America is a relatively recent phenomenon. In reality; there is a centuries long history of the Muslim presence in America; which is all too often overlooked or misidentified. Written documentation; linguistic evidence; and reports of early Spanish explorers of the New World suggest Muslim contact with the Americas prior to Columbus. Muslims and Moriscos sailed with Columbus and were part of many of the Spanish explorations of the New World. Muslims comprised a significant percentage of the enslaved Africans who were brought to the Americas; and many Islamic residuals have found their way into contemporary African-American life and culture. At least one Muslim fought for American independence during the Revolutionary War; and many other Muslims were prepared to fight to keep American independence during the War of 1812. Another prominent Muslim was part of the taming! of the Wild West. Beginning in the late 19th century; successive waves of Muslim immigrants enriched America; and the phenomenon of Americans converting to Islam became increasingly widespread. In reviewing this history; the author presents a series of brief biographies of individual Muslims to illustrate the Muslim presence at each stage in American history. These biographies provide valuable role models with which Muslim youth in America can identify as they search for their identities as both Americans and Muslims.
#817037 in Books Smithsonian 2003-10 2003-10-17Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 1.20 x 9.40 x 12.30l; #File Name: 1588340996416 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Factually; very interesting and worth the read; especially ...By Sam EngFactually; very interesting and worth the read; especially after having read the L and C journals and S.Ambrose' book; Undaunted Courage. This book fills in many gaps.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. The Many Aspects Of Lewis and ClarkBy James GallenThe Corps of Discovery’s journey was long and impacted and reported on many aspects of the Western Experience and “Lewis and Clark: Across the Divide†examines many of them through words and pictures. Written as the companion volume to “Lewis and Clark: The National Bicentennial Exhibition†it draws heavily on pictures of items of the exhibit to enhance its narrative. This is an oversize coffee-table book suitable for reading; perusing the pictures or leaving out for your guests to enjoy.Each of the ten chapters focuses on one topic of the Corps’ experience. The Imagining of America introduces the reader to how little was known about the west and to goal of the Expedition to fill in the blank spaces. Depictions of the Land delves into how the explorers made their measurements and recorded their observations of the land across which they traveled. The diplomacy between the Corps and the Indians it encountered was different than that between European powers or Europeans and eastern Indians with whom had long histories of encounters. The role of tribal women opens new insights into native lives. The Corps encountered new animals and plants; traded between unfamiliar value systems and opened new understandings between cultures. At the end a list of the exhibit items including the loaning Museum; a description of the item and its history provide a valuable reference.Although I had read other works about Lewis and Clark I learned quite a bit from this one. Author Carolyn Gilman views the journey from so many perspectives that readers are almost guaranteed to gather something new. The text is supplemented by hundreds of pictures of artifacts; ledgers and correspondence either used or similar to ones used by the Corps or the Indians whom it encountered; portraits; paintings; and drawings that bring to life the Lewis and Clark experience. Whether a novice or a seasoned Lewis and Clark student “Lewis and Clark: Across The Divide†is a work to read; savor and return to.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. then becomes a very good supplement to Ambrose's book by adding many interesting ...By The ProfessorCarolyn Gilman's text should not be a reason to reject owning this book. First read Undaunted Courage; Meriwether Lewis; Thomas Jefferson; and the Opening of the American West published in 1996 (paperback 2003). It is lightly illustrated with b w plates maps with a very detailed documented text. Lewis and Clark; Across the Divide; Missouri Historical Society/Smithsonian; 2003; then becomes a very good supplement to Ambrose's book by adding many interesting useful color illustrations and focuses on the Indians who were encountered by and helped the Corps of Discovery men. The two books balance each other well; the way history should be written. Whoever chose to have the captions beside the color illustrations in the Smithsonian book printed in an almost unreadable light brown ink instead of the standard black should have been dismissed long ago as unqualified to work in the book publishing industry. If you are really interested in Lewis Clark; a final supplement to these two books is the documentary video DVD Lewis Clark; The Journey of the Corps of Discovery by Ken Burns; 1997/2001; 4 hours; that ran on PBS; which is balanced by the Ambrose book as well.
