A Brief History of Islam (Blackwell Brief Histories of Religion) [Paperback]

Tamara Sonn (Author), Mary Williamsburg (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1405109009 | ISBN-13: 978-1405109000 | Publication Date: June 14, 2004 | Edition: 1

The nature of Islam remains an area of intense and topical interest. In this brief but absorbing history, Tamara Sonn explores the key cultural, intellectual, social, and political developments of this fascinating religion.

• A lively history of Islam which is accessible without being simplistic.
  
• Breaks Islamic history into four periods, to clearly demonstrate the crucial stages of development.
  
• Explores the key political, cultural and ideological developments within these periods.
  
• Features illuminating examples of events, characters and movements to highlight key issues and involve the reader.
  
• Concludes with vignettes of Islamic life that represent current challenges facing Islamic societies.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Tamara Sonn ... is wonderfully clear in explaining some of the ideas and intellectual and spiritual forces that shaped a faith-tradition now shared by one fifth of the human family." BBC History

"Professor Tamara Sonn deserves the gratitude of all those who wish to understand the post-September 11 world in which we find ourselves. In a masterly fashion and with admirable brevity she has presented us with an indispensable guide to understanding Islam in the twenty-first century." Akbar S. Ahmed, Ibn Khaldun Chair of Islamic Studies and Professor of International Relations, American University, Washington.

"Sonn provides a remarkable blending of the study of religion and history, creating a synthesis that is informative for specialist and general reader alike. This book represents a new style of basic books, transcending the old mode of introductory primer." John Voll, Georgetown University

Book Description

The nature of Islam remains an area of intense and topical interest. In this brief but absorbing volume, Tamara Sonn offers a lively history of Islam, which is accessible without being simplistic. The book divides Islamic history into four periods starting with the life of Muhammad and the birth of Islamic ideals, through Islam's phenomenal geographical expansion and cultural development, right up to the creation of modern states and the current situation in Islamic societies. This accessible structure allows the reader to clearly grasp the fascinating and inter-related cultural, political, and ideological developments of this powerful global force. Throughout the book, representative events, characters and movements have been chosen to highlight the key issues and involve the reader. The book concludes with vignettes of Islamic life that represent current challenges facing Islamic societies. Written by a leading figure in Islamic studies, this lively book offers a brief history of this major world religion.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell; 1 edition (June 14, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1405109009
• ISBN-13: 978-1405109000
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #962,431 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Breif History of Islam (a Blackwell Book), April 7, 2005

By 

Firefly (Anchorage, AK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Brief History of Islam (Blackwell Brief Histories of Religion) (Paperback)

As usual, Professor Sonn has presneted the reader with a clear, concise, non-judgemental account of Islam in the modern world.
She writes with well-earned authority in an always interesting, never dry manner of the world of Islam. Anyone who reads this book will come away with a clearer understanding of things Islamic and how they apply to America as well as the rest of the world.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Brief History of Islam, September 17, 2005

By 

T. Hunter - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Brief History of Islam (Blackwell Brief Histories of Religion) (Paperback)

This history is brief so a lot comes at you at once. If I were to read it again I would have a historical map by my side. It is well done and gives insight sorely needed by present day Americans. It is a little apologetic.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Brief History of Islam, March 9, 2007

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H. E. Melendy - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Brief History of Islam (Blackwell Brief Histories of Religion) (Paperback)

The book arrived promptly and in mint condition. I have read the book and was very impressed with it. It was a fairly quick read; it is a concise treatment of Islamic history. Professor Sonn is remarkably knowledgeable on the subject of Islam and her conclusions are quite believable.