A History of Islamic Societies [Hardcover]

Ira M. Lapidus (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521225523 | ISBN-13: 978-0521225526 | Publication Date: January 29, 1988

A History of Islamic Societies provides an authoritative and comprehensive treatment of the civilisations and patterns of life of Muslims throughout the world. Part I deals with the formative era of Islamic civilisation from the revelation of the Qur'an to the Thirteenth century and examines the transformation of Islam from a complex of doctrines and cultural systems into the organising principles of Middle Eastern Society. Part II traces the creation of similar societies in the Balkans, North Africa, Central Asia, China, India, Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Part III considers the transformation of these societies under the forces of technological change, industrial revolution and European imperialism. It describes the emergence of modern economies, national states and secular ideologies in Muslim countries and seeks to assess the role of past Islamic institutions and present Islamic movements in the shaping of contemporary Muslim society.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Respected scholar Lapidus here emphasizes what he argues to be the distinctive features of Islamic societiesthe developments of communal, religious, and political institutions. The book's first section deals with the Islamic transformation of traditional Middle Eastern societies; the second, the diffusion of Middle Eastern Islam to other regions; and the last, the disruptions of Muslim societies with the collapse of the Islamic empire and European domination. The book covers Africa and Central and Southern Asia as well as the Middle East. Recommended for all research and general library collections. J. Anthony Gardner, California State Univ., Northridge
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

'... a brilliant tour de force ... For anyone, student or professor, who wishes to grasp the special quality of Islamic history and its bearing on the present problems of Islamic societies, this book should be their place of first resort.' Francis Robinson, History Today

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 1040 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (January 29, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521225523
• ISBN-13: 978-0521225526
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,970,410 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The definitive one-volume treatment of Islamic Societies, October 29, 2001

By 

Tom L. Forest (Forest Grove, OR USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A History of Islamic Societies (Paperback)

The back cover claims this to be an "[a]uthorative and comprehensive history of Islamic societies written for the general reader and student that will no doubt prove to be a classic work in its field." I am happy to report that claim to be justified.

In clear and accessible style for college-level reading, Lapidus covers the Arab-Turkish-Iranian core as well as the African, Indian, and Indonesian periphery of the Muslim world. He also touches on the ex-Soviet and Chinese Muslims. The differences in political and economic organization are highlighted and contrasted, the variations of Islamic belief are explored, and the challenges of modernity are addressed.

If you're looking for a chronicling of dynastic politics, military vicissitudes, and 'great man' theories of history, look elsewhere. If you want a comprehensive, balanced synthesis comparing Islamic societies for the last 1400 years, read this book.

After reading "A History of Islamic Societies", consider moving on to Marshall Hodgson's three-volume set "The Venture of Islam".

35 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bold arguments suited for non-beginners, June 7, 2000

By 

"muslimhistorian" - See all my reviews

This review is from: A History of Islamic Societies (Hardcover)

This is no ordinary history facts-and-dates book for beginners. The rule is that you must have some general idea of the whole Islamic history, preferrably have read J.J. Saunder's 'The History of Medieval Islam.'

For those of you who have done your reading this is the perfect companion to test your arguments to the very limits. Some of Lapidus' arguments inconveniently disturb sacred faith of the pious, others might open up new horizon to the seculars, but mostly the arguments offer relevant issues never before thought correlated.

Buy it, read it, and love it. But don't hesitate to throw it out of the window when it gets too obstructing. Just pick it up the next day and read it some more, only then you'll appreciate what Prof. Lapidus has done for us. It easily become a classic in a short while.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Detailed and Readable, February 28, 2005

By 

Ron Atkins "Ron" (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A History of Islamic Societies (Paperback)

This is a classic work on the history of Islamic societies. I'm not a historian, but found the book very readable. Its 900+ pages present an in-depth analysis of the history of North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, leading up to the rise of Islam. Interestingly, Lapidus reveals the rise of Islam did not happen in a sudden, broad sweep, as I had been led to believe. Rather, Islam was adopted by Bedouins, merchants, etc. one tribe and village at a time. According to Lapidus, Islam has been marked with internal strife from the beginning when numerous civil wars over doctrine, leadership, and interpretation of the Prophet's message, led to the division of the faith into its Sunni and Shi'a sects. It is an incredible story that every westerner should read. The book covers the periods prior to Mohammed's revelations through the 20th century, and is divided into three parts:

The Origins of Islamic Civilization: 600 to 1200
The Worldwide diffusion of Islamic Societies
The Modern Transformation

As a Christian, I found the depiction of Christianity's role in the Middle East, especially in the early days of Islam, interesting. Lapidus is a noted scholar and has done us all a service by writing this book. I highly recommend it.