From Publishers Weekly
Copiously illustrated with photos, original art, maps and reproductions, the large-format Atlas of Islam: People, Daily Life and Traditions by Neil Morris devotes each of its spreads to single subjects (e.g., "The Abbasids," "Sufism" and "Islamic Spain"). Each spread includes an explanatory paragraph and about 18 extensively captioned color images. Beneath the high-impact visuals, however, the text can be confusing ("Muslims believe that Muhammad (c. 570-632 ce) was the last and seal of the prophets of Allah") or disingenuous ("In recent years, some Islamist groups... have reacted to failure to achieve their ends by turning to violence. This has only served to heighten fear and distrust of Islam among non-Muslims").
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Grade 3-8-Although numerous small maps are included, this title is not an atlas in the traditional or historical sense. Rather, it is a survey of the people who made up the mainstream of Islamic life, with a nod toward the lands in which they have lived. More historically based than Philip Wilkinson's Islam (DK, 2002), this title uses two-page chapters to discuss groups such as the Abbasids, the Sufis, the Turks, and the Uzbeks, as well as broader topics such as the Ottoman and Mughal Empires, the Crusades, and the spread of Islam into Africa and Southeast Asia. Unlike books published just a few years ago, it also includes a discussion of Islamism (aka Islamic fundamentalism), including mention of Osama bin Laden. The book's bite-sized paragraphs can give even integrated text a jumpy, disconnected feel, and the tendency to chronicle rather than analyze the information presented may confuse young readers. The apparent dichotomy, for example, between Islam's traditions of tolerance, on the one hand, and references to forced conversion, repressive regimes, and terrorist attacks, on the other, will seem like contradictions to many children. Likewise, the plentiful reproductions of Islamic figurative art seem to conflict with prohibitions against such depictions. These are not factual errors but rather limitations of the format. In addition, a few of the picture captions refer to fewer persons than are actually depicted, with no explanation of the discrepancy. Even so, this volume contains a great deal of information, presented in an attractive way, and will be useful to libraries looking to broaden or update their materials on Islam.
Coop Renner, Blackshear Elementary School, Austin, TX
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Coop Renner, Blackshear Elementary School, Austin, TX
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
