Arabic Historical Thought in the Classical Period (Cambridge Studies in Islamic Civilization) [Paperback]

Tarif Khalidi (Author)

Book Description

Series: Cambridge Studies in Islamic Civilization | Publication Date: September 28, 1996

In a work that surveys an entire tradition of historical thought and writing across a span of eight-hundred years, Tarif Khalidi examines how Arabic-Islamic culture of the premodern period viewed the past, how it recorded it, and how it sought to answer the many complex questions associated with the discipline of history.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The extent of Khalidi's reading is daunting, the subtlety and elegance of his exposition enviable. This is a book which is enjoyable as well as informative." Times Literary Supplement

"In a work as deftly written as it is erudite, Khalidi explores the intellectual context of the development of the practice of history in the central lands of Islam between the seventh and 15th centuries. Khalidi includes substantial quotations from Arab historicans in each of these periods to exemplify their epistemological presuppositions. Such extensive quotations and the context provided for them afford the non-Arabist reader a quick introduction to the major historians in this tradition. Every reader will find, as well, solid reflections on such basic historiographical issues as the sources of history, the reliability of sacred and profane reports, and the purposes to which history is put. Few works offer such multiple rewards to students and scholars alike." Choice

"...[an]`uxtensively and carefully researched study..." Islamic Thought

"Tarif Khalidi admirably traces the development of Muslim historiography. ... Khalidi has written an elegant, concise, perceptive, and artistically narrated account of the morphology of a tradition in the making." Middle East Journal

"This is a wide-ranging, excellently written book on a subject of major importance, based on a formidable wealth of knowledge expertly distilled." David Morgan, University of London

Book Description

In a work which surveys an entire tradition of historical thought and writing across a span of 800 years, Tarif Khalidi examines how Arabic-Islamic culture of the pre-modern period viewed the past, how it recorded it, and how it sought to answer the fundamental questions asssociated with the discipline of history. 'The extent of Khalidi's reading is daunting, the subtlety and elgance of his exposition enviable. This is a book which is enjoyable as well as informative', Gerald Hawting, Times Literary Supplement

Product Details

• Paperback: 268 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (September 28, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 052158938X
• ISBN-13: 978-0521589383
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #666,539 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Argument Well Presented, September 8, 2000

By 

Paul V Caetano - See all my reviews

This review is from: Arabic Historical Thought in the Classical Period (Cambridge Studies in Islamic Civilization) (Paperback)

Khalidi's thesis is that 4 approaches dominated classical Arabic historiography. In chronological order, they are hadith, adab, hikma and siyasa. The hadith approach focused on judging the authenticity of historical reports by examining the chain of transmission. Adab is often translated as "belles-lettres". This approach focused on the moral and intellectual lessons taught by history. Hikma refers to the secular sciences which inspired a more all encompassing historiographic approach. Finally, siyasa, the science of good government, led to comprehensive histories often designed for bureaucrats.

Khalidi includes many excerpts from the historians he discusses. Since so many of the historians are not well known in the West, this is a useful feature. Whether or not you agree with Khalidi's categorization, this book will teach you a lot about Arabic historiography.