Located on the eastern periphery of the historical Muslim world; as a political entity Indonesia is barely a century old. Yet with close to a quarter of a billion followers of Islam it is now the largest and most populous Muslim country in the world. As the greatest political power in Southeast Asia; and a growing player on the world scene; Indonesia presents itself as a bridge country between Asia; the wider Muslim world and the West. In this survey Carool Kersten presents the Islamisation of Indonesia from the first evidence of the acceptance of Islam by indigenous peoples in the late thirteenth century until the present day. He provides comprehensive insight into the different roles played by Islam in Indonesia throughout history; including the importance of Indian Ocean networks for connecting Indonesians with the wider Islamic world; the religion's role as a means of resistance and tool for nation building; and postcolonial attempts to forge an 'Indonesian Islam'.
#863469 in Books 2015-06-08Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.52 x .65 x 5.55l; .0 #File Name: 0745671519208 pages
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful. What is Slavery? is a collegiate-level historical survey that ...By KTBoydWhat is Slavery? is a collegiate-level historical survey that follows the widespread phenomenon of slavery from ancient civilizations to its existence in the United States. Stevenson addresses not only the question of “what is slavery†as a historical concept but also touches upon the current relevance in today’s society. The book is broken down by chronology and topics; on both macro- and micro levels; to build a synthetic narrative on slave life and the institution of slavery. These pages trace the notion that slavery took on a new form in the US; as a race-based phenomenon that was perpetuated by notions of racial inferiority; through social custom and law; in order to maintain the political and economic benefits from enslaved labor. What is Slavery? intertwines the evolutionary changes of slavery and the slave experience with respect to time and place. The first chapter provides examples of different manifestations of slavery over five continents from the ancient world to the sixteenth century. The second chapter shows the geographic; demographic; and industrial expansion of slavery and the impact it had on Africa; the Americas; and the modern world through the Transatlantic Slave Trade. The last two chapters focus on the colonial and antebellum United States. Initially; Africans held an uncertain status in early European settlements and within indigenous groups; but shifting laws and cultural beliefs soon solidified the notion of African slavery; and with it; changes to African identity; family; culture; life; and labor. Most notably; Stevenson details the slave experience of daily living and labor; the struggle for survival; and gender differences; as well as the formation of a free black society and; ultimately; their fight for; and contribution to; emancipation. What is Slavery? is a comprehensive; well-researched; and concise narrative that draws from the most recent historiography on slavery studies. This is a must read for introductory American history courses and anyone who wants a general overview of American slavery.
