Books of Distinction

Islam, A Short History is the concise summation of years of thinking and writing about the world’s fastest-growing religion. Karen Armstrong writes about Islam with a deep understanding of the external history of the Muslim people, and the symbolic relationship between history and religion. Throughout the book, Armstrong traces what she sees as Islam’s emphasis on right living over right belief. Armstrong is at her most passionate when discussing Islam in the modern world. She explains antagonisms between Iraqi Muslims and Syrian Muslims, and discusses the devastating consequences of modernization on the Islamic world.

Beginning with the flight of Muhammad and his family from Medina in the seventh century and the subsequent founding of the first mosques, Islam: A Short History recounts the origins of the split between Shii and Sunni Muslims; the emergence of Sufi mysticism; the spread of Islam throughout North Africa, the Levant, and Asia; the shattering effect on the Muslim world of the Crusades; the flowering of imperial Islam in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries into the world’s greatest and most sophisticated power; and the origins and impact of revolutionary Islam. It concludes with an assessment of Islam today and its challenges.

Karen Armstrong issues a forceful challenge to those who hold the view that the West and Islam are civilizations set on a collision course. The book is also a model of authority, elegance, and economy.

Book of Distinction: 2004
Publication Date: August 2002
ISBN: 9780812966183 (081296618X), $13.95, Paperback
Illustrations: no
Publisher: Modern Library

Author Info

Karen Armstrong, Ph.D. spent seven years as a Roman Catholic nun, received her degree from Oxford University, taught modern literature at the University of London and presently teaches at the Leo Baeck College for the Study of Judaism. She is one of the foremost British commentators on religious affairs. Ms. Armstrong is an honorary member of the Association of Muslim Social Scientists. Some of her books include: A History of God; The 4000-Year Quest of Judaism, Christianity and Islam; Jerusalem: One City, Three Faiths; and In the Beginning: A New Interpretation of Genesis. She is also a regular contributor of reviews and articles in newspapers and journals.

Editorial Reviews



	Islam A Short History (Modern Library Chronicles) Armstrong, Karen List Price: $13.95 Available at the Publisher's website Book Information / Details Author Info Editorial Reviews Press Release Islam, A Short History is the concise summation of years of thinking and writing about the world’s fastest-growing religion. Karen Armstrong writes about Islam with a deep understanding of the external history of the Muslim people, and the symbolic relationship between history and religion. Throughout the book, Armstrong traces what she sees as Islam’s emphasis on right living over right belief. Armstrong is at her most passionate when discussing Islam in the modern world. She explains antagonisms between Iraqi Muslims and Syrian Muslims, and discusses the devastating consequences of modernization on the Islamic world. Beginning with the flight of Muhammad and his family from Medina in the seventh century and the subsequent founding of the first mosques, Islam: A Short History recounts the origins of the split between Shii and Sunni Muslims; the emergence of Sufi mysticism; the spread of Islam throughout North Africa, the Levant, and Asia; the shattering effect on the Muslim world of the Crusades; the flowering of imperial Islam in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries into the world’s greatest and most sophisticated power; and the origins and impact of revolutionary Islam. It concludes with an assessment of Islam today and its challenges. Karen Armstrong issues a forceful challenge to those who hold the view that the West and Islam are civilizations set on a collision course. The book is also a model of authority, elegance, and economy. Book of Distinction: 2004 Publication Date: August 2002 ISBN: 9780812966183 (081296618X), $13.95, Paperback Illustrations: no Publisher: Modern Library Author Info Karen Armstrong, Ph.D. spent seven years as a Roman Catholic nun, received her degree from Oxford University, taught modern literature at the University of London and presently teaches at the Leo Baeck College for the Study of Judaism. She is one of the foremost British commentators on religious affairs. Ms. Armstrong is an honorary member of the Association of Muslim Social Scientists. Some of her books include: A History of God; The 4000-Year Quest of Judaism, Christianity and Islam; Jerusalem: One City, Three Faiths; and In the Beginning: A New Interpretation of Genesis. She is also a regular contributor of reviews and articles in newspapers and journals. Editorial Reviews Amazon.com Beliefnet Booklist Library Journal Publishers Weekly Press Release no press releases for this title
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