This is an excellent history of the city of Baghdad from its founding by the Abbasid Caliph Mansur in 750 to 2011. Marozzi has read…
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Tag: Religious History of Islam
Wonderful history – The Hajj: The Muslim Pilgrimage to Mecca and the Holy Places
I read this book back in 2003. By collecting the first-hand accounts of travellers and shaping their experiences into a richly detailed narrative, F. E.…
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General history — Heaven on Earth: A Journey Through Shari‘a Law
The title of this book is inaccurate. Readers looking for a history of Islamic law will be disappointed. Readers looking for a history of the…
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Good reportage – Into the Hands of the Soldiers: Freedom and Chaos in Egypt and the Middle East
This book by an international correspondent for the NYT is a ground – level reporting of the events and leaders involved in the toppling of…
View More Good reportage – Into the Hands of the Soldiers: Freedom and Chaos in Egypt and the Middle East
Provoking book – Misquoting Muhammad: The Challenge and Choices of Interpreting the Prophet’s Legacy
Ac Brown is a practising Muslim who can read Arabic. His book is learned and covers many areas and issues that would interest believers and…
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A sad history – Sowing the Wind: The Seeds of Conflict in the Middle East
There are 3 popular histories of the Arabs . John Keay’s Sowing the Wind is published in 2004. Eugene Rogan’s The Arabs A History is…
View More A sad history – Sowing the Wind: The Seeds of Conflict in the Middle East
A tough read – Hadith (The Foundations of Islam)
This book is touted as the best introductory survey on hadith in the English language. The explanation on how hadiths are collected and accepted and…
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A look at Islam from the viewpoint of the Franks –
This 319 page book explores the crusaders’ attitudes and dealings with the people of Islam during the First crusade. Morton’s command of the sources is…
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Interesting – Memories of Muhammad: Why the Prophet Matters
This is not a biography on the Prophet. This book is an exploration of aspects of the Arabic world before Muhammad, the life of Muhammad…
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Beautiful coffee table book – Hajj: Journey to the Heart of Islam
This beautiful coffee table book is a companion to an exhibition of the same name at the British museum from 26 Jan to 15 April…
View More Beautiful coffee table book – Hajj: Journey to the Heart of Islam