Islam: A Short History (Universal History)
Product Details | Similar Products | Customer Reviews | Author: Karen Armstrong List Price: £7.99 Our Price: £5.99 You Save: £2.00 (25%) Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours  |
|
 | Product Details: Paperback 200 pages Release Date: 03 December 2001 Publisher: Phoenix ISBN: 1842125834 Rating:   Sales Rank: 6557 | | Look for similar books by subject:
| | Customers who bought this item also bought:
| | Customer Reviews: Poor, but not completely useless (07 October 2007)This book is useful only as a short book with some general historical factual information, dates and the like. The analysis of historical and religions events and developements says more about the writer and her post-christian liberalism than it does about Islam. The writer shows some knowledge of the Qur'an but shows litle understanding of the Sunnah and Hadith which are critical to the developement of Islamic thought and practice. Do NOT rely on what you read in this book. If you are interested in understanding Islam from a western perspective try books by Bernard Lewis instead - they are a harder read but what you read is of more value. A good history book, but not a religious studies essential (03 January 2007)I am doing an Open University religious studies course and wanted something to supplement the set text on Islam. This is a good run through the history of Islam but really spends most of its time in "history book" mode rather than "religious studies book" mode. As such, it is more a history of Arab conquest and defeat than a detailed examination of the religion that most of those Arabs followed. Also, Ms Armstrong tells the story of the prophet, and others, in quite a "cosy" way, speaking of them as if she knew exactly what he was thinking and why he did things, which is using a little too much artistic license - just something to be wary of. However, it IS very well written, easy to read, and excellently laid out, with a very detailed timeline and glossaries of people and terminology for reference. Buy it as a high quality starter text (in fact buy it at this low price just for the reference pages alone), but if it is Islam (the religion, not the "state") you particularly want to know about, dont expect more than the basics. Useful, but not always accurate (02 October 2006)This is a useful book for anyone who wants a concise introduction to Islam; it is well written, and for such a short book it covers a lot of ground. The last chapter is of much value in the current climate of ignorance and fear towards Islam in the West. However, it is not entirely accurate at places, ranging from small and relatively insignificant slips to more important instances of over and under-emphasis. There is a clear, if never annunciated, anti-Christian feel to this book too, which comes through in occasional offhand remarks, and more importantly in a general and quite blind disregard for the wonderful achievements of Medieval Christian Europe as such. The author espouses the values of post-Enlightenment Europe (minus spiritual malaise) but obviously sees its Christian history before the 17th century as a protracted and embarrassing affair quickly to be forgotten about. I find this attitude objectionable. Hence the 3 stars for what is otherwise a good book. The death of my prejudice (19 November 2005)This little history of Islam by Karen Armstrong has quelled the fumes of rage and anger I have always felt towards what I thought to be an illogical, irrational and violance loving religion. As the reviewer of the Financial times rightfully said - an excellent antidote to prejucice! | |
