Book Description
The Paston letters have long exercised a tremendous fascination for their capacity to recreate in vivid detail the lives of an ordinary well-to-do fifteenth-century family. H. S. Bennett’s classic study recreates beautifully their historical context and offers the additional perspectives provided by the letters of their correspondents: bishops and serving men, prisoners and dukes, priests and ribald companions. Among the intriguing areas of late medieval life which are explored are marriage, women's lives, education, travelling, the law and lawlessness, the clergy and the changing face of the English countryside. This account of the Pastons’ England reveals an age of historical transition as it was played out in the daily challenges of individual lives.
Customer Reviews:
slow reading but nevertheless a great historical record.......2001-02-21
The Pastons and their England by H.S. Bennett is a interesting story about the lives of a 15th century family and their struggle and truimphs along the way. This book is a great reference through the letters written by various family matters for historical matters. If you are a history major in college or just a history fanatic this book is one you can't let slip through your hands.
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- Where has this book been hiding?
- History From A Different Perspective
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The Spread of Islam in the World
Sir Thomas W. Arnold
Manufacturer: Goodword Books,India
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Religion & Spirituality
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ASIN: 8187570229 |
Customer Reviews:
Where has this book been hiding?.......2006-12-08
This book is very good as it shows that Islam has been unfairly depicted as a religion spread through Jihad. Islam, the most unlikely of candidates, has been, throughout the centuries, a tolerant religion. It has never committed any form of religious genocide, nor has it had any inquisitions or crusades, as religions of many other parts of the world did. It has tolerated other faiths when it was in a position to dominate them, better than any other religion in history. It imposed a tax on non-believers for protection, similar to the tax that we pay in the U.S., while Christianity imposed torture and death at times. It was also done in the most gruesome fashion you can think of; Sawing, Disembowelment, the Stake, etc. Christians are quick to say that Jesus did not preach what they did. It doesn't really matter because they did it either way. There is not one instance in history where Muslims in total power have tortured non-believers for not accepting Islam. Muslims are the ones who were tortured by the Meccans in the Prophets time and by Christians during the Inqusition.
Islam, when closely examined has no history of imperialism, nor has it ever forced the conversion of mass people. It may have invaded a country for humanitarian purposes, but always gave the people the freedom to worship their own religion. Whatever violence its followers do, it is out of confusion and desperation. You will probably find one fanatical Muslim for every 10,000 peaceful Muslims.
The holy Prophet was born in a time when wars were fought between tribes all the time. He was forced to both defend his cities and forcefully stop aggression of his religious predecessors and oppressors, the pagans of the Middle East. The Prophet was only playing the card he was dealt, and it was a violent card. Not that he was violent, for he showed nothing but kindness to those who were less fortunate and mercy to all the poor people of his time. The religion of Islam came and changed the whole Middle East and made everyone equal in the eyes of God. Where poor people and slaves were looked down upon, where women had no respect, and where idols were being worshipped, the greatest Prophet of all time came along and with God's guidance, cleaned up house. We all must show humilty to God and gratitude for the work that our great Prophet did.
History From A Different Perspective.......2006-01-23
First published in 1896, "The Spread of Islam in the World: A History of Peaceful Preaching" by Professor Thomas Arnold concentrates on the spread of the religion, as opposed to Islamic society. It would be easy to consider this book out-of-date, considering all that has taken place in the Islamic world since it was published, especially in the period between World War II and present day. However, in many ways this weakness is actually a strength of the book, because the reader can be sure that the history included in this book is not colored by modern day events.
Professor Arnold separates the spread of Islamic society from that of Islam as a religion. The advance of Islamic societies was often by the sword, just as the spread of societies such as Greece, Rome, and Persia were done by conquest. This book, though, is about the spread of Islam, the religion. While there certainly were cases where attempts at forced conversion took place, Professor Arnold makes it clear that for the most part that was not the case and he demonstrates with many examples how ineffective such attempts actually were.
Even without forced conversion, there were pressures for people to convert to Islam, the largest one being the jizyah, which was a tax imposed on non-Muslim subjects. This tax was common to all regions, although the amount varied greatly depending on the period and region. In most cases the tax was fairly small, but during some periods it became oppressive enough to result in false conversions. Most of the time, the tax was fairly small and was also often waved if the non-Muslim subjects contributed to the defense of the society. Another form of pressure was that non-Muslims were forced to wear dress which would indicate their status. However, this was quite rare and usually did not last for long periods.
The most interesting part of the book is in the specifics of each of the different regions. Professor Arnold covers: Western Asia, Christian Africa, Christian Spain, the spread under the Turks, Persia and Central Asia, the Mongols and Tartars, India, China, Africa, and the Malay Archipelago. The history of Islam in Spain was the best example of how the three major monotheistic religions could live together in peace, prior to the 19th century. The section on the Mongols and Tartars covered the effects of the Mongol invasion and the devastation it caused Islam at the time. It also was interesting to read how the Muslims turned this around to convert their conquerors. He also discusses why the Christian attempts to do the same were much less successful.
Non-Christian Africa is the region where forced conversion was attempted the most, but with very few successes. The attempts at Muslims to convert the pagans there were largely ineffective until the 19th century. Interestingly enough, it was the development of colony states by Christian Europe in Africa which brought with them their laws which enabled the proselytizing of Muslims to have a large effect. Thus once again it was the peaceful efforts which resulted in success.
As I mentioned at the start, the weakness of the book is in its lack of a modern perspective to accompany the rest of the text. While this frees the reader from worrying about the spin factor which invades so much of what one reads today, the missing period and perspective does detract a bit from the final product.
Book Description
A major feature of the rise of Islamism in the Middle East, Asia, Africa and parts of the West is the current rapid growth of a starkly repressive version of shari'a, Islamic law. In this book, noted human rights activists and scholars trace the growth of such law in Saudi Arabia, Iran, Pakistan, Sudan, Nigeria, Malaysia, and Indonesia; document its threat to the status of women, religious freedom, and democracy itself; and suggest how the rest of the world should respond. Published in cooperation with Freedom House's Center for Religious Freedom.
Customer Reviews:
what about Christian fundamentalism in the US?.......2006-07-16
I love that thousand of infidels bit ... it rings a bell of something called the crusades..... it is difficult to exercise something other than cognitive conservatism for some ... with new plethora of legislative changes we are looking to lose our freedoms right here as well to Christian fundamentalism..... a very superficial book, but for those who enjoy wrangling... here here
poor title for a great book.......2005-11-18
I don't know why the author agreed to the title of this book because it is not a compendium of "radical" rules, it is a collection of Islam in its purist form. Having spent many years in countries where Islam is the real law, as opposed to the Western notions of a separation of "church" and state, this is a very well done exposition of what anyone who believes in the freedoms taken for granted in Western societies has to contend with where Islam is in control. bin Laden and his followers are not "extremists". They are not "fundamentalists". They are trying to get Islam back to the "good old days" of the 7th century. The Koran is not just another religious text that is subject to debate and discussion. It is the FINAL authority. Period. For those who cite passages of the Old Testament as examples of religious extremism, they do not understand that this "ultimate" word is the last, undisputed, and undisputable set of rules for mankind. Any dissent is a death sentence. If you don't think so, go to Saudi Arabia and try to debate the issue. Of course if you are a non Muslim, you can't go to Mecca or Medina. Sort of like not being allowed into the Vatican if you aren't a practicing Catholic.
The book does a good job of showing the world as bin Laden and his followers are killing thousands of "infidels" to get to, but we will have to learn the hard way, after many more 9/11's, as to what this means.
Sharia Shari'a Laws in Iran, Pakistan, Indonesia, S.A., etc........2005-09-12
From the 2005 paper-back jacket (226 pgs): "A significant consequence of the rise of Islamism in the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and other regions of the world is the rapid growth of a starkly repressive version of Islamic shari'a law, often fueled by funds and support from Saudi Arabia. Despite its importance, this worldwide growth of extreme shari'a is under-documented and little understood. Through a detailed comparative analysis of Saudi Arabia, Iran, Pakistan, Sudan, Nigeria, Malaysia, and Indonesia, the contributors to this timely book document its terrible effects on human rights -- especially the status of women and religious freedom -- of Muslims as well as religious minorities, and of democracy itself. This book also makes a compelling argument that such laws are a direct threat to the Western interest of advancing democracy and human rights. Democratic nations and international human rights groups lack any meaningful policy for dealing with the spread of extreme shari'a." This book "concludes with policy recommendations for the United States regarding specific countries confronting extreme shari'a. Contributors are: M. Barends: teaches law at the University of Leiden; H.F. Bella: was the director of the Sudan Human Rights Organization in Cairo; Mehrangis Kar: Iranian lawyer (Amnesty International names her a 'human rights hero' in 2002); P. Marshall: senior fellow at Freedom House's Center for Religious Freedom; P.G. Riddell: professor of the Center for Islamic Studies at the London School of Theology, Brunel University; S. Schwartz: journalist; Nina Shea: former vice-chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom; R.J. Woolsey: former director of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency. Provides specificly identified (numbered) Shari'a laws in seven major Muslim countries. Written in a scholarly, well-researched manner; not in a "Bible thumper's" style so commonly seen from some religious institutions.
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The Spread of Islam in France
Michel Reeber
Manufacturer: Goodword Books,India
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Religion & Spirituality
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ASIN: 8187570679 |
Book Description
Since the nineteenth century, scholars have recognized that three religions have spread more widely through propagation and conversion than other religions. These three religions in historical order are Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam. In spite of this recognition and numerous studies of these and other religions, there has been almost no attempt to explain why these three religions should have spread so widely. This book breaks new ground in setting forth the reasons why these religions have spread. It also predicts the future course in the spread of religions based on the nature of these religions and changing world conditions. www.sompsite.com
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- Great Beginning - Very Weak Ending
- When in search of wisdom, look to the east...
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The Spread of Islam (Turning Points in World History)
Manufacturer: Greenhaven Press
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Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 156510966X |
Customer Reviews:
Great Beginning - Very Weak Ending.......2005-12-25
In reading this book, I was interested in the history, techniques, and factors that gave rise to the spread of Islam from its earliest days to the present. The first quarter of this book, was an excellent introduction to the early spread of Islam from Mohammad's life both prior to and during his revelations of the Koran, as well as the first four Caliph's. However, after that, the book had one quick bit on the spread of Islam from Arabia, throughout N. Africa, into Spain, into the Balkans, and its halt at Vienna and in present day France. However, this portion of the book was very tersely covered, to the point where there was no substantive history there. Then the book spent an inordinant amount of time on Art in Islam, Literary Styles in Islam and other factors that either do not enter into the history of the spread of Islam, or if they do, then they weren't explained in the text. The last section of the book, on more contemporary issues such as Muslims in America were interesting, but again did not shed light on the basic aspect of the spread of Islam. In summary, I'm glad I read this book, but was disappointed overall that it strayed so far from it's apparent target.
When in search of wisdom, look to the east..........2005-05-30
"The spread of Islam" is a sort of study guide under the "Turning Points on World History" collection. The book is a collection of essays by recognized journalists and historians, most of them not embracers of the faith. It is so advised in the foreword, and it is a good way for the reader to measure the degree of impartiality each author has on the subject - or not.
What is particularly interesting about a book like this is the insight it provides in what is commonly known as "la petite histoire". Thus, on page 14 we learn that ..." Muhammad's first visitation by an angel terrified and revulsed him. Thinking he had been possessed by the jinn"... "Shaking, Muhammad crawled on his hands and knees until he reached Khadija (his wife), asking her to cover him and shield him from the presence. She held him in her arms, soothed him and tried to take his fears away, the comfort she offered each time Muhammad saw visions and heard voices." What a beautiful example of a supportive wife.
Succeeding articles emphasize the much-preferred westernized notion of Islam as a faith established rather by the sword than by the word. In fact, in a world post-Osama Bin Laden, Islam seems to be a constant target for philosophers, historians and religious leaders alike to be blamed as a belligerent and intolerant faith, although in practice, its principles are openly conducive to peace. The deliverance of a new vision almost always generates controversy. In analizing the value of a doctrine, the general view of the historical context is vital. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) had a message. People could follow it or not; however, it was more than imperative that it be delivered. And it had to be delivered amidst a sociological system of usury and cruelty, where tolerance for different ideas was not only slashed, but it was also resisted to the extreme. What is a prophet to do, should we then ask, when he is not even given the option to be heard? Not only that, but he is prosecuted as a common criminal. The Gospels show us this almost constantly, to the extent that Jesus himself had to admit that "a prophet is never accepted in his own country". To paraphrase Gandhi (someone else worth listening to) first they hate you, then they laugh at you, then... you win.
Central articles expound on the Golden Age of Baghdad from the 7th to the 12th century, during the period of the Abbasids. Those were the times for expansion of the arts on every level within the muslim world, the times that saw the construction of the Taj Majal in India, and the retelling of stories that would then become "The Thousand and One Nights"
The book closes with articles referring to different political viewpoints within Islam, covering the Iranian Revolution of 1979, which deposed the Shah; and the plans for an Islamic Common Market, very much under the lines of the European Economic Community. These are all very scary ideas for the western world, where the typical idea of a muslim is equal almost always to someone born in any of the countries of the Arabian peninsula, who bathes once a week and has their neighbor for dessert. This perception is described on page 184: "...author Jack Shaheen provides examples of stereotyping. He notes the tendency to picture the Arab at different times as extremely wealthy, cruel, stupid, oriented toward the use of terror, and generally unattractive. The stereotypic pattern which categorizes whole peoples has thus put the Arab and his religion in the role of villain."
The last essay offers a perspective into the daily life of a muslim woman living in America, and an Appendix, which provides further illumination with sides stories about verses of the Holy Qu'ran, poetry about the forbidden pleasures of drinking, a cooking recipe in the form of a poetical stanza, and other curiosities. Last, but not least, we find some very good advice from a long lost Persian King to his son: "Rather become known for veracity, so that if ever in an emergency you utter a lie it will be believed." (Page 210)
Product Description
This volume, the second of a series that chronicles the most significant events in the dynamic spread of Islam, covers the period from 1500 through 1799. This era saw the spread of Islam to the Americas and the precipitous decline of the powerful Muslim states of the Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal empires. Along with their religion, Muslims carried their culture, their goods, and their innovations to the far corners of the globe. Their contributions to Western civilization—such as new kinds of agriculture (irrigation, oranges, sugarcane, cotton), manufactured goods (satin, rugs, paper, perfumes), and technology (astrolabe, compass, lateen sail)—are set out in detail. The book is fully indexed, with a bibliography and 16 appendices.
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Changing Social Identity with the Spread of Islam (Oriental Institute Seminars)
Manufacturer: Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 1885923341 |
Book Description
This volume addresses the topical interest in Islam, studying the process of its spread throughout the medieval world and the process of conversion to this religion and adoption of this cultural complex. The evidence is presented in a series of essay reports on archaeological approaches in current Islamic Archaeology. These papers are the result of a seminar that attempted a comparative analysis of widely different regions and periods, based on archaeological monuments or artifacts, exploring processes of adaptation or adjustment to local cultural complexes.
Islam may be seen as a religion, political system, and cultural complex, a trinity of inseparable aspects. The introduction of these variable characteristics of Islam, during initial contact and afterwards, resulted in changes in identity approached as a sort of "cognitive" archaeology. In each specific case, the author assesses the nature of the pre-Islamic regional tradition, the resulting plurality of cultures as a "multi-cultural" society, and finally a resultant normative condition as a regional or cosmopolitan culture. This exposure to unfamiliar subjects and archaeological perspectives offers a potential for more abstract, comparative modeling in future historical research.
This volume contains essay reports by Jodi Magness on two villages near Jerusalem, Tracy Hoffman on the city of Ascalon, Yury Karev on Samarqand, Mark Horton on Shanga in East Africa, and Timothy Insoll on Gao in West Africa, as well as an introductory essay by the editor.
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The Endowment of Divine Grace and the Spread of Divine Mercy
Muhyiddeen Abdul-Qadir Gilani
Manufacturer: Pearl Publishing House (PA)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 1879405016 |
Book Description
From a leading expert in Arabic history, an engaging history of the great Islamic expansion that carved out an empire from Spain to Asia.
Today's Arab world was created at breathtaking speed. In just over one hundred years following the death of Mohammed in 632, Arabs had subjugated a territory with an east-west expanse greater than the Roman Empire, and they did it in about one-half the time. By the mid-eighth century, Arab armies had conquered the thousand-year-old Persian Empire, reduced the Byzantine Empire to little more than a city-state based around Constantinople, and destroyed the Visigoth kingdom of Spain. The cultural and linguistic effects of this early Islamic expansion reverberate today.
This is the first popular English-language account in many years of this astonishing remaking of the political and religious map of the world. Hugh Kennedy's sweeping narrative reveals how the Arab armies conquered almost everything in their path, and brings to light the unique characteristics of Islamic rule. One of the few academic historians with a genuine talent for story telling, Kennedy offers a compelling mix of larger-than-life characters, fierce battles, and the great clash of civilizations and religions.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent.......2007-10-03
Interesting review of the early days of Arab conquests. Shows the role of booty and religion in driving a people to take over a decaying empire. As they say management and belief are everything, especially when running a centralized organization based on conquest. Definitely helpful in understanding some of the history and today's issues.
Highly readable and informative.......2007-09-25
This is an extremely well-written book about the conquests of the Arabs up till 750 AD. The narrative is surprisingly coherent for such a big job where the sources are not always consistent. Prof. Kennedy has done a great service, particularly to the general readership, to render the history of those times into one volume. The narrative again was never burdened with scholarly jargons. With perfect juxtaposition of poems and non-Arab/muslim accounts of similar events, the author tried to provide the social context of those conquests, giving accounts of both sides. This book comes with appropriate maps and a fine collection of pictures, mostly taken by the author himself, that shows the geography, architecture, people and gives a feeling of reality of the magnitude of the terrain and diversity of the cultures being conquested. The author takes pains to describe the social context and social reality in which some key players of the conquest lived and made decisions and left an impact. This is a perfect companion for educational, teaching and information purposes. I earnestly hope, this book will also help to clarify many historical events that caused many tensions and prejudices among diverse cultures.
Fascinating, and true to its sources.......2007-09-05
I read a pre-release copy of this book prior to a trip through some of the Gulf states. My knowledge of the spread of Islam had been limited to a short section of my secondary school history course, where it was mixed up with the fall of the Byzantine empire. It is easy to imagine that countries like Syria were always Islamic, and to forget about the swift process which converted them (from Christianity, in the case of Syria).
I found this book to be extremely readable. The fluency of the writing matched the content, the amazing swiftness of the Muslim conquests.
The author cites his sources often. I liked the fact that it felt like reading the original sources. I never felt it was just one author's opinion. The book is a nice mix of high-level accounts of battles and strategy, plus an insight into the mindset of the original Muslim soldiers, who were agile and lightly armoured, and not afraid to withdraw to fight another day. One thing which it doesn't do is go into great detail on Mohammed himself, but plenty of other books do that already.
Highly recommended.
Books:
- The Penguin Encyclopedia of Ancient Civilizations
- The Rough Guide to the History of the USA (Rough Guide Histories)
- The Routledge Atlas of Jewish History (Routledge Historical Atlases)
- The Search for Order, 1877-1920
- The Storyteller's Daughter
- The Timetables of History: A Horizontal Linkage of People and Events (Timetables of History)
- The Torn Veil: Matthew's Exposition of the Death of Jesus (Society for New Testament Studies Monograph Series)
- The Turkish Lover
- The World War II Bookshelf: 50 Must-Read Books: Fifty Must-Read Books
- They Called Him Wild Bill
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