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The Book of Contemplation: Islam and the Crusades (Penguin Classics)

by Usama ibn Munqidh (Author), Paul M. Cobb (Editor, Translator, Introduction)
4.7 out of 5 stars 10 customer reviews
ISBN-13: 978-0140455137
ISBN-10: 0140455132
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Product Details

  • Series: Penguin Classics
  • Paperback: 400 pages
  • Publisher: Penguin Classics (September 30, 2008)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0140455132
  • ISBN-13: 978-0140455137
  • Product Dimensions: 5 x 0.9 x 7.8 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #149,505 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 38 people found the following review helpful
Well translated and presented but deserves an asterik for what the work itself reveals
By TC on September 28, 2010
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
Paul M. Cobb seems to have done a great job translating the thoughts of medieval Muslim misfit Usama Ibn Munqidh. Many historians and anthropologists have studied this work as it gives us a glimpse into how the Islamic world was reacted to the influx of crusaders in the twelfth-century. The book is most revealing in its more subtle moments; for example Usama recording the dress, bathing habits and gender relations of the crusaders and how this fit (or didn't fit) into Usama's Muslim community. Much of the book however contains a great deal of confusing, often funny, contradictory trash-talking. Usama marvels at the discipline and bravery of Christian knights but then boasts of battling one warrior after another (often with nothing but his wits) and, of course, claiming victory at every turn. Like many of his contemporaries Usama was forced to live, work and trade with Christian emigrants who followed the Crusader armies and he fluctuates between pride in his ability to navigate this new world and denigrating his business partners and neighbors. While Usama champions Islam he does things like engage in sport hunting and runs through the woods slaughtering wild pigs on Ramadan; not exactly things condoned by even the most basic Islamic jurisprudence. In the end what we have is a very linear, very personalized view of the crusades and sketches of a number of localized skirmishes most of which cannot even be historically verified. In short, The Book of Contemplation is interesting read, but often for reasons outside the realm of real scholarship.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Excellent, Fun Read
By Corky on December 2, 2014
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
I was required to read one of three books for a low level history course. I chose this one just because I had never heard of it and didn't really know anything about the Islamic perspective of the crusades (or really anything). It's astoundingly great and I can't believe that it isn't more popular (though according to Wikipedia it is a translated work that has been under many names, and The Book Of Contemplation is just the latest one). The stories are very visceral and sometimes gory, but there's also plenty of light-hearted stories and lessons to be learned. It's definitely a fun read, but can be a little confusing due to the muslim names and places if you aren't familiar with their structure. However, the book includes a glossary of names, maps, and references for expressions and historical things you might not know. I highly recommend this book for anyone that has the slightest interest in the crusades!
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Life a thousand years ago in the middle east.
By bb user on November 21, 2015
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
Fascinating glimpse of life a thousand years ago in the middle east. Delightful surprises for me included lions roaming the region, hunting with raptors, the state of medicine, and the range of travel. The writer went back and forth from present day Syria to North Africa in an era long before motorized transport. Added bonus, places in the news today crop up including Homs, Damascus, Jerusalem, Cairo, and Baghdad. These were already well established cities even then. Certainly sheds light on how western intervention was regarded back then, and by extension, now.
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Five Stars
By marchello brown on March 15, 2015
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
I thought this book was clear and direct of its defense of Islam.
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Five Stars
By Maher El-Battouty on July 9, 2015
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
Excellent
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