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By John L. Esposito - Oxford History of Islam: 1st (first) Edition Hardcover

4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 62 ratings

The entire history of Islamic civilization is, of course, too much to cover in a single volume, but John Esposito comes close. In a book topping 700 pages and containing over 300 photographs, Esposito brings together experts in fields such as early Islamic history, art and architecture, science and medicine, Islam in Africa and Southeast Asia, and contemporary Islam. Beginners will be swimming in new discoveries, while old hands will find connections and facts they never suspected. Majid Fakhry, for instance, shows not only the influence of philosopher Ibn Rushd (Averroes) on European intellectuals but also unveils the claims and counterclaims within Islamic philosophy over time. Dru Gladney takes us on an eye-opening journey through Islamic Central Asia and even China, where the Muslim Hui people are recognized as the country's third-largest minority nationality. And have you ever seen an exquisite mosque with towering spires made entirely of mud-brick, like there are in West Africa? Unfortunately, Esposito apparently couldn't find room here for separate sections on Sufism or Islamic literature, but there are more than enough mosques, paintings, historical maps, and tapestries throughout to keep you turning pages and learning with fascination. --Brian Bruya

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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B008UYOEG4
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 4.75 pounds
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 62 ratings

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John L. Esposito
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John L. Esposito is University Professor of Religion and International Affairs at Georgetown University and Founding Director of the Prince Alwaleed Bin-Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding. He is the editor of The Oxford Encyclopedia of Modern Islam and The Oxford History of Islam, and author of Unholy War, What Everyone Needs to Know about Islam, and many other acclaimed works.

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
62 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book provides a comprehensive explanation of history and culture of Islam. They also appreciate the tremendous amount of work done and the venerable, solid Islamic History Text. Readers also appreciate nice pictures and the writing quality is great.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

10 customers mention "History and culture"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's history and culture very informative, comprehensive, and venerable. They also appreciate the secondary resources and well-designed format.

"...There's also a detailed chronology and selective bibliography for those who want to read further on the plethora of topics that the book addresses...." Read more

"...I feel I definitely underpaid for this as there is a tremendous amount of work done here." Read more

"...events and personalities, there are some great chapters on Islamic contributions to art, architecture and science...." Read more

"...the thickened pages and the exquisite photography and separate sections describing history, religion, architecture ... make this book truly..." Read more

3 customers mention "Illustrations"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the illustrations in the book nice.

"...Just awesome and I'm thrilled that there's maps, sketches, drawings and photos both black and white and color to bring the book to life...." Read more

"...the thickened pages and the exquisite photography and separate sections describing history, religion, architecture ... make this book truly..." Read more

"...I am disappointed in Oxford and Esposito. Nice pictures though." Read more

3 customers mention "Writing quality"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the writing quality of the book great and highly recommended for serious and open-minded readers.

"...Highly recommended for the serious (and open) minded reader, or student of religion." Read more

"...The authors do an excellent job of leading the reader-student through the early period of Islam, then through the various caliphal dynasties, and..." Read more

"...It is great. I like all the explanations of culture, the religion, and the history." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2015
Whenever I get interested in a topic, I like to go "all the way" and devour what material I can to better inform myself. Such was my intent in taking up this massive tome. I don't consider myself religious, by any means, but the subject of religion is interesting to me. Islam, in particular, has become a huge point of contention no matter what side you consider yourself to be on. And, in reading this book, I found Islam to be more diverse and nuanced than any mass media or politician would probably admit. Does that mean I up and convert? No, but understanding something is better than wholesale rejection and demonization. As far as the book itself is concerned, I'm pretty sure this would make a good textbook for an Islamic Studies course, if it already isn't somewhere (after all, it IS an Oxford History). In telling the history of Islam, it is divided into 15 chapters (really, extended essays) that take a loosely chronological approach, but is also topical. The most valuable chapters to me were those on the earliest history of Muhammad, Islam's philosophical underpinnings, Shariah, theology, and (what was then) current/modern Islam. I also found the chapters on Islamic science, art and architecture to be quite interesting, further evidence of its cultural value. The chapters dealing with the rise and fall of the different Islamic empires was also valuable, but more of a World History refresher (and a bit dry at times). There's also a detailed chronology and selective bibliography for those who want to read further on the plethora of topics that the book addresses. I also appreciated explanation of the many Arabic terms that are central to an understanding of Islam, and which is reinforced by some overlap in the various chapters. However, if there's any one thing I took away from the book it's that, as a religion, Islam is as diverse and multi-faceted as its Judeo-Christian counterparts. It's just that nowadays, fundamentalists seem to have hijacked (for lack of a better word) the conversation and all of the media attention, reinforcing stereotypes and prejudices held by all sides. If there's one area where this book is lacking, but through no fault of its own, is the recent developments of Al Qaeda and ISIL as further neorevivalist/neomodernist movements. But as a pre-9/11 examination of Islam, I doubt you'd find a better, more concise, introduction to it than this. I'd like to close with a quote from the book's last chapter: "Like believers in their sister traditions, Judaism and Christianity, the critical question is the relationship of faith and tradition to change in a rapidly changing and pluralistic world." As I read through the book, I couldn't help but mentally draw parallels between Islam and Christianity as experienced here in the US. Hopefully, the various religions realize that they share a common struggle, even if the particular beliefs differ, and learn to coexist peacefully. Highly recommended for the serious (and open) minded reader, or student of religion.
10 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2016
This a classic for the Kindle iPad app and is worth , much much more than what I paid for it. More like about $50 when I look at the research gone into it and the effort to insert maps, diagrams, sketches and photos to truly make it an encyclopaedia of the history of Islam.

I didn't buy it for human stories but for events and a general description of Islam down the ages but with detail as far as events and occurrences.
I want to discover through history how Islam contributed to humanity and this is a great start. I already have a number of Qurans and other details about the Life of Muhammad so this was to compliment those with a historical,perspective not seeking great depth but it seems to cover even Baha'i and Babi religions so it's truly embracing and showing all the major happenings and effects that Islam has had on history.

Just awesome and I'm thrilled that there's maps, sketches, drawings and photos both black and white and color to bring the book to life. And as I said it's worth much, much more than I got it for today. I feel I definitely underpaid for this as there is a tremendous amount of work done here.
One person found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2022
Most history books sugar coat history and this one is no different. Its an introduction. Got for a college class where my professor acted like Islam was the most peaceful religion in the world more tolerant than Christianity... Sigh...Good times....Good times...
One person found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2008
I was required to read this text as part of a college History of Islam course, one of several classes I've taken dealing with Islamic studies. The chapters have been prepared by various scholars and expositors and deal with the genesis of Islam through the turn of the last century (the text was published in 1999). The chapters are presented in an essay format and have a consistent feel throughout. Since the material was prepared by distinct authors, there's occasional beneficial overlap in which certain important personalities pop up again and again, lit up by slightly varying perspectives.

The authors do an excellent job of leading the reader-student through the early period of Islam, then through the various caliphal dynasties, and then through the distinct Islamic civilizations and the main empires (northern African/Arabian, Ottoman/Turkish, Safavid/Persian, and Mughal/Indian) through the Colonial into the post-Colonian/Modern period. In addition to covering the expected historical events and personalities, there are some great chapters on Islamic contributions to art, architecture and science.

A few of the chapters seemed to contain a bit of editorializing and some softening of negative aspects of Islamic history and the conduct of some Muslims, but the overall quality of the writing is excellent.

I won't be selling this text. I'm eager to hang onto it as a reference.
2 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on August 17, 2008
the oxford history of islam is, in my opinion, a masterpiece. while i am no content scholar of islam, i note that the few facts that i do know corresponded with the facts presented in this book. the text is written in a manner quite easy to read. frankly, i still have difficulty distinguishing islamic names. the thickened pages and the exquisite photography and separate sections describing history, religion, architecture ... make this book truly outstanding. i bought this at the used price. while i'm glad i did, knowing what i know today, i would have paid the full market price and been delighted!!! i recommend this book for anyone who wishes to better understand islam, scholars might be bored - familiar with the content and, it really is for the generalist. but, what a great book for the generalist!
3 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on July 25, 2013
This is a comprehensive explanation of the history and knowledge of the Islam religion. It is great. I like all the explanations of culture, the religion, and the history.

Top reviews from other countries

Akshay K.
5.0 out of 5 stars Ok
Reviewed in India on December 17, 2019
Ok condition
ellie
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 4, 2016
Seriously hard work but it is academic text. Very informative and balanced so far not a casual read
Amazon Customer
1.0 out of 5 stars Completely dissatisfied
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 4, 2024
The book was in a terrible condition. Spine damaged and was delivered too late.
Ibrahim
3.0 out of 5 stars Fair book but would not recommend.
Reviewed in Canada on January 6, 2018
This book was mediocre at best and I would not recommend it.

Overview:
The book is very huge and tries to cover all of Islamic history till the present days. It is broken up by both chronology and theme, with some chapters focusing on themes like Islamic Arts and others focusing on eras and empires like the Gunpowder Empires. It does a fair job of hitting most key events of the history. It also includes some nice photos throughout the book.

Cons:
The major fallback of this book is that it is EXTREMELY dull. There many authors, and most do a very bad job of keeping the reader entertained or captivated. The subjects themselves are not inherently uninteresting, but the authors simply do not have very good writing styles.I would not recommend this book for this reason.