Among the great civilizations of the world; Islam remains an enigma to Western readers. Now; in a beautifully illustrated historical atlas; noted scholar of religion Malise Ruthven recounts the fascinating and important history of the Islamic world. From the birth of the prophet Muhammed to the independence of post-Soviet Muslim states in Central Asia; this accessible and informative atlas explains the historical evolution of Islamic societies. Short essays cover a wide variety of themes; including the central roles played by sharia (divine law) and fiqh (jurisprudence); philosophy; arts and architecture; the Muslim city; trade; commerce; and manufacturing; marriage and family life; tribal distributions; kinship and dynastic power; ritual and devotional practices; Sufism; modernist and reformist trends; the European domination of the Islamic world; the rise of the modern national state; oil exports and arms imports; and Muslim populations in non-Muslim countries; including the United States. Lucid and inviting full-color maps chronicle the changing internal and external boundaries of the Islamic world; showing the principal trade routes through which goods; ideas; and customs spread. Ruthven traces the impact of various Islamic dynasties in art and architecture and shows the distribution of sects and religious minorities; the structure of Islamic cities; and the distribution of resources. Among the book's valuable contributions is the incorporation of the often neglected geographical and environmental factors; from the Fertile Crescent to the North African desert; that have helped shape Islamic history. Rich in narrative and visual detail that illuminates the story of Islamic civilization; this timely atlas is an indispensable resource to anyone interested in world history and religion.
#966121 in Books Harvard University Press 2000-03-04 2000-01-28Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.21 x .67 x 6.14l; .97 #File Name: 0674002040320 pages
Review
12 of 37 people found the following review helpful. Gender of HistoryBy Buz HollingsworthThis book fails to present any new argument for the treatment of women historically. It does point out that women have been ignored over the centuries but most of us already knew that. The use of technical language; assumed foreknowledge of historical figures and an overestimated understanding of historical process make this book inappropriate for most undrgraduates. Graduate students should be able to muddle their way through most of the book and it is also a book for academic collections.11 of 19 people found the following review helpful. Brilliant!By A CustomerThis wonderful book is a must read for all serious students of history. While it is admittedly beyond most undergraduates; it should be required for all aspiring professional academics in the humanities and social sciences.
