Armstrong, Karen Islam: A Short History ISBN 13: 9781842125830

Islam: A Short History - Softcover

9781842125830: Islam: A Short History
View all copies of this ISBN edition:
 
 
In the public mind, Islam is a religion of extremes: it is the worldÆs fastest growing faith; more than three-quarters of the worldÆs refugees are Islamic; it has produced government by authoritarian monarchies in Saudi Arabia and ultra- republicans in Iran. Whether we are reading about civil war in Algeria or Afghanistan, the struggle for the soul of Turkey, or political turmoil in Pakistan or Malaysia, the Islamic context permeates all these situations. Yet who really understands the central tenets of this faith, or why so many people around the world have turned to æfundamentalismÆ? Karen ArmstrongÆs elegant and concise book traces how Islam grew from the other religions of the book, Judaism and Christianity; introduces us to the character of Muhammed; and demonstrates that for much of its history, the religion has been a force for enlightenment that promoted liberties for women and allowed the arts and sciences to flourish. Islam shows how this progressive legacy is today often set aside as the faith struggles to come to terms with the economic and political weakness of most of its believers and with the forces of modernity itself.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

Review:
The picture of Islam as a violent, backward, and insular tradition should be laid to rest, says Karen Armstrong, bestselling author of Muhammad and A History of God. Delving deep into Islamic history, Armstrong sketches the arc of a story that begins with the stirring of revelation in an Arab businessman named Muhammad. His concern with the poor who were being left behind in the blush of his society's new prosperity sets the tone for the tale of a culture that values community as a manifestation of God. Muhammad's ideas catch fire, quickly blossoming into a political empire. As the empire expands and the once fractured Arabs subdue and overtake the vast Persian domain, the story of a community becomes a panoramic drama. With great dexterity, Armstrong narrates the Sunni-Shi'ite schism, the rise of Persian influence, the clashes with Western crusaders and Mongolian conquerors, and the spiritual explorations that traced the route to God. Armstrong brings us through the debacle of European colonialism right up to the present day, putting Islamic fundamentalism into context as part of a worldwide phenomenon. Islam: A Short History, like Bruce Lawrence's Shattering the Myth and Mark Huband's Warriors of the Prophet, introduces us to a faith that beckons like a minaret to those who dare to venture beyond the headlines. --Brian Bruya
From the Back Cover:
“A small gem bristling with insight.” —The Washington Post

“A valuable corrective to the hostile caricatures of Islam that circulate in the English-speaking world. . . . Engaging and provocative.” —The New York Times

“Karen Armstrong, a respected and popular author of several books about religion . . . takes on a useful and formidable task in presenting the history of Islam in a single short volume. As many other such works have been written either by apologists or by those hostile to Islam, Armstrong’s comprehensive and sympathetic work is welcome.” —Los Angeles Times

“In Armstrong’s brisk narrative, the clichés evaporate fast. . . . A book like this is suddenly essential." —Entertainment Weekly

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

Other Popular Editions of the Same Title

9780812966183: Islam: A Short History (Modern Library Chronicles)

Featured Edition

ISBN 10:  ISBN 13:  9780812966183
Publisher: Modern Library, 2002
Softcover

  • 9780679640400: Islam: A Short History

    Modern..., 2000
    Hardcover

  • 9780786241873: Islam: A Short History

    Thornd..., 2002
    Hardcover

  • 9781407220321: Islam: A Short History

    Phoeni..., 2009
    Softcover

  • 9780297643722: Islam : A Short History

    Weiden..., 2000
    Hardcover

Top Search Results from the AbeBooks Marketplace

Stock Image

Armstrong, Karen
Published by Weidenfeld & Nicholson (2001)
ISBN 10: 1842125834 ISBN 13: 9781842125830
New Softcover Quantity: 1
Seller:
GF Books, Inc.
(Hawthorne, CA, U.S.A.)

Book Description Condition: New. Book is in NEW condition. Seller Inventory # 1842125834-2-1

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 12.82
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: FREE
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Seller Image

Karen Armstrong
Published by Orion Publishing Co, London (2001)
ISBN 10: 1842125834 ISBN 13: 9781842125830
New Paperback Quantity: 1
Seller:
Grand Eagle Retail
(Wilmington, DE, U.S.A.)

Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. One of the greatest of the world religions through the 1500 years of its existence, Islam has also been by far the most misunderstood. The Western world has undergone a complete revolution of thought in recent centuries, but its mistrust of Islam is still essentially medieval. Seven centuries from the last Crusade, the Holy Places Islam occupies are oil wells; once the 'Scourge of God', its forces are now an affront to secular liberalism. The 'fundamentalist' fanatic; the oppressor of women; the ruthless terrorist; the tyrant: these are the stereotypes of the new-look Islamic infidel. In the public mind, Islam is a religion of extremes: it is the world's fastest growing faith and more than of the world's refugees are Islamic. Whether we are reading about civil war in Algeria or Afghanistan, or political turmoil in Pakistan or Malaysia, the Islamic context permeates all these situations.This book traces how Islam grew from the other religions of the book, Judaism and Christianity; introduces the character of Muhammad; and demonstrates that for much of its history, the religion has been a force for enlightenment that promoted liberties for women and allowed the arts and sciences to flourish. It also shows how this progressive legacy is today often set aside as the faith struggles to come to terms with the economic and political weakness of most of its believers and with the forces of modernity itself. Beginning with the flight of Muhammad from Medina in the seventh century and ending with an assessment of the religion today, Karen Armstrong shows how social justice and compassion have always been central to the Islamic world-view. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9781842125830

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 12.86
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: FREE
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Karen Armstrong
Published by Orion 2001-12-03, London (2001)
ISBN 10: 1842125834 ISBN 13: 9781842125830
New paperback Quantity: > 20
Seller:
Blackwell's
(Oxford, OX, United Kingdom)

Book Description paperback. Condition: New. Language: ENG. Seller Inventory # 9781842125830

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 7.32
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 5.68
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Armstrong Karen
Published by Orion Books Ltd. (2001)
ISBN 10: 1842125834 ISBN 13: 9781842125830
New Softcover Quantity: 4
Seller:
Majestic Books
(Hounslow, United Kingdom)

Book Description Condition: New. pp. 224. Seller Inventory # 7114500

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 6.82
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 8.20
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Armstrong, Karen
Published by Weidenfeld & Nicholson (2001)
ISBN 10: 1842125834 ISBN 13: 9781842125830
New Softcover Quantity: 1
Seller:
Book Deals
(Tucson, AZ, U.S.A.)

Book Description Condition: New. New! This book is in the same immaculate condition as when it was published. Seller Inventory # 353-1842125834-new

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 17.46
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: FREE
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Karen Armstrong
Published by Phoenix (2001)
ISBN 10: 1842125834 ISBN 13: 9781842125830
New Paperback Quantity: > 20
Seller:
Bestsellersuk
(Hereford, United Kingdom)

Book Description Paperback. Condition: New. No.1 BESTSELLERS - great prices, friendly customer service â " all orders are dispatched next working day. Seller Inventory # mon0000788030

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 2.36
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 15.14
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Karen Armstrong
Published by Orion Publishing Co (2001)
ISBN 10: 1842125834 ISBN 13: 9781842125830
New Paperback / softback Quantity: 12
Seller:
THE SAINT BOOKSTORE
(Southport, United Kingdom)

Book Description Paperback / softback. Condition: New. New copy - Usually dispatched within 4 working days. One of the world's foremost commentators on religious affairs on the history (and destiny) of the world's most misunderstood religion. Seller Inventory # B9781842125830

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 8.37
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 11.29
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Karen Armstrong
Published by Phoenix (2001)
ISBN 10: 1842125834 ISBN 13: 9781842125830
New Paperback Quantity: 5
Seller:
Monster Bookshop
(Fleckney, United Kingdom)

Book Description Paperback. Condition: New. BRAND NEW ** SUPER FAST SHIPPING FROM UK WAREHOUSE ** 30 DAY MONEY BACK GUARANTEE. Seller Inventory # 9781842125830-GDR

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 11.87
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 11.34
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Karen Armstrong
Published by Phoenix (2001)
ISBN 10: 1842125834 ISBN 13: 9781842125830
New Softcover Quantity: > 20
Seller:
Brook Bookstore
(Milano, MI, Italy)

Book Description Condition: new. Seller Inventory # 2f8f2697beb471bac6e66f2988976582

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 14.72
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 8.65
From Italy to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Armstrong, Karen
Published by Weidenfeld & Nicholson (2001)
ISBN 10: 1842125834 ISBN 13: 9781842125830
New Softcover Quantity: 5
Seller:
Ria Christie Collections
(Uxbridge, United Kingdom)

Book Description Condition: New. In. Seller Inventory # ria9781842125830_new

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 12.38
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 12.59
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

There are more copies of this book

View all search results for this book