Audiobook4 hours
Islamic History: A Very Short Introduction
Written by Adam J. Silverstein
Narrated by Neil Shah
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
4/5
()
About this audiobook
Does history matter? This book argues not that history matters, but that Islamic history does. This Very Short Introduction introduces the story of Islamic history; the controversies surrounding its study; and the significance that it holds-for Muslims and for non-Muslims alike.
Opening with a lucid overview of the rise and spread of Islam, from the seventh to twenty first century, the book charts the evolution of what was originally a small, localized community of believers into an international religion with over a billion adherents. Chapters are also dedicated to the peoples-Arabs, Persians, and Turks-who shaped Islamic history, and to three representative institutions-the mosque, jihad, and the caliphate-that highlight Islam's diversity over time.
Finally, the roles that Islamic history has played in both religious and political contexts are analysed, while stressing the unique status that history enjoys amongst Muslims, especially compared to its lowly place in Western societies where history is often seen as little more than something that is not to be repeated.
Some of the questions that will be answered are:
- How did Islam arise from the obscurity of seventh century Arabia to the headlines of twenty first century media?
- How do we know what we claim to know about Islam's rise and development?
- Why does any of this matter, either to Muslims or to non-Muslims?
Opening with a lucid overview of the rise and spread of Islam, from the seventh to twenty first century, the book charts the evolution of what was originally a small, localized community of believers into an international religion with over a billion adherents. Chapters are also dedicated to the peoples-Arabs, Persians, and Turks-who shaped Islamic history, and to three representative institutions-the mosque, jihad, and the caliphate-that highlight Islam's diversity over time.
Finally, the roles that Islamic history has played in both religious and political contexts are analysed, while stressing the unique status that history enjoys amongst Muslims, especially compared to its lowly place in Western societies where history is often seen as little more than something that is not to be repeated.
Some of the questions that will be answered are:
- How did Islam arise from the obscurity of seventh century Arabia to the headlines of twenty first century media?
- How do we know what we claim to know about Islam's rise and development?
- Why does any of this matter, either to Muslims or to non-Muslims?
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Reviews for Islamic History
Rating: 3.8641975246913582 out of 5 stars
4/5
81 ratings6 reviews
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Astonishingly wide-ranging and erudite. Summarizes both close-focused and broader schematic, historical-sociological accounts.
Finally, it also embraces historiographical issues.2 people found this helpful
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Despite rhe author's obviously slanted and biased opinions expressed in this book, it is still a work worth considering. Much in the same way as one studies oppositional research so as to understand that which opposes one in the political Realm. The opinions expressed toward Christianity and Judaism give us insight into what at least a portion of the mushroom World actually thanks of these two great religions, and it appears that Islam thinks very little of these two religions.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5Biased "historian" who does not have trustworthy scholarship. Research authors of any historic text
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5It's always good to read different writings to controverted topics; however, this book has many biased opinions. I hope one day historians start to write as world citizens.
To me, the way this writing style, that includes sarcasm and own opinions such as this people must be proud of X, that people should be blamed for Y, should be kept out of these writing in order ro show more neutrality. - Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Interesting reading.
What history means in Islam is well written. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Narrator : He made it really interesting. Soothing! For the book, it is very short and crisp. Easy to understand