The development of a fictional city, seen in panoramic art spreads and detailed drawings, reflects the evolutionary pattern of many Islamic cities on Africa's Mediterranean coast, from Phoenician times to the present.
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
Grade 5 Up-The story of a fictional North African city throughout 14 stages of history is revealed in words and intricately detailed black-and-white drawings, in a style reminiscent of David Macaulay's work. Thousands of years ago, hunter-gatherers begin to inhabit a region on the Mediterranean coast of North Africa. By the year 2,000 B.C., a fortified village has sprung to life; Phoenician traders are the first to establish a city on the site. In the seventh century A.D., Islamic conquerers capture it, naming it Umm El Madayan. The city becomes a thriving commercial, educational, and religious center whose "Golden Age" occurs in the 16th and 17th centuries. At present, Umm El Madayan struggles to maintain a sense of its past while coping with the complexities of modern life. Each brief chapter includes a two-page spread showing an overview of the region; the changes over the centuries are fascinating. In the second two-page spread, a small version of the overview is placed on the left, with significant areas shadowed in black. Larger illustrations on the right often depict important buildings, with cutaways revealing interior views. The text is crammed across the top in fine print, with little or no white space between words and pictures. Although the drawings are spectacularly detailed, specific features are labeled with tiny numbers that are difficult to see. The overall effect is crowded and a little overwhelming. Many specialized terms are used in the text, but not always defined. Despite these problems, the book provides an informative window into a place and time that will be unfamiliar to many young readers.
Mary Jo Drungil, Niles Public Library District, IL
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Mary Jo Drungil, Niles Public Library District, IL
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Gr. 7-10. Comparable to others in the series, for example, Hernandez's San Rafael (1992), and in the style of David Macaulay's Castle (1977), this large-size, illustrated volume takes a fictional Islamic Arab city on the North African coast and presents its history in 14 stages: from the early hunter-gatherers to the Phoenicians, the Romans, and the Christians; through the rise of Arab culture, the Ottoman Empire, and the dominance of a rich Islamic tradition; and finally, the mix today of Islamic and Western influences. Each stage is presented in meticulously detailed ink drawings--first a double-page spread of the whole city plan; then two pages of cross-sections and diagrams, with precise, beautiful drawings of typical buildings: a Roman amphitheater; a Christian cathedral; an Arab house; a Turkish mosque; a contemporary airport, etc. Also shown are individual objects of intricate artistry. The text, translated from the Italian in plain, technical prose, summarizes the history and politics of each period and shows how they affect architecture and city design. A dominant theme is that the infusion of many traditions over the centuries has led to a rich multiculturalism, even while there is a tension between the pull of tradition and the dazzle of the modern. Unfortunately, no sources are provided, but this is a fresh approach to history and a welcome subversion of popular stereotypes about the "exotic" Islam of camels and harems. Hazel Rochman
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5.0 out of 5 stars
A North African City Through the Ages,
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This review is from: Umm El Madayan: An Islamic City Through the Ages (Hardcover)
"Umm Al Madayan" follows the history of a North African city from prehistoric to modern times. From a 10,000 foot view point, readers see the city change and evolve. It is almost thrilling to see how a city develops as different civilization rise and fall. This books reminds us that cities are organic and grow and shrink depending on political fortunes. Although the writing is solid, it is the beautifully detailed archetectural rendering of Francesco Corni that really make this book. Corni is a gifted illustrator with a great eye for detail. Be sure to check out "Barmi", "San Rafael" and "Lebeck" which are all part of this series. They can all be purchased for a very reasonable price and help give kids the long view of history. Highly recommended.
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