Islamic History: A Very Short Introduction (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780199545728)

Opening with a lucid overview of the rise and spread of Islam, from the seventh to the twenty-first century, this Very Short Introduction introduces the story of Islamic history, charting the evolution of what was originally a small, localized community of believers into an international religion with over a billion adherents. The book examines how Islam rose from the obscurity of seventh-century Arabia to the forefront of modern global concerns, and it highlights how we know what we claim to know about Islam's rise and development. Historian Adam J. Silverstein also discusses the peoples--Arabs, Persians, and Turks--who shaped Islamic history, and sheds light on three representative institutions--the mosque, jihad, and the caliphate--that highlight Islam's diversity over time. Finally, the book analyzes the roles that Islamic history has played in both religious and political contexts, while stressing the unique status that history enjoys among 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.

Author: Adam J. Silverstein
ISBN-10: 0199545723
ISBN-13: 9780199545728
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Language: English
Published: 02/01/2010
Pages: 176
Format: Paperback
Weight: 0.30lbs
Size: 6.70h x 4.30w x 0.40d