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Review
'… Lapidus is concerned not with defining an essential Islam, but rather with mapping the role of Islamic beliefs, institutions, and identities in particular historical contexts.' International Journal of Middle East Studies
'The value of A History of Islamic Societies lies in its sheer comprehensiveness. In one volume a vast amount of material is synthesized and presented in a clear and effective style. There is nothing else like it. For the first time the worldwide history of Islamic societies is made accessible to the interested reader.' The Journal of Asian Studies
Review of first edition: 'I do not think that any other world civilization can boast a comparable general account of such substance and quality … this is a great deal more than a textbook. It is a product of learning, intellect and style of an extremely high order.' Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society
Review of first edition: 'I do not think that any other world civilization can boast a comparable general account of such substance and quality. .. this is a great deal more than a textbook. It is a product of learning, intellect and style of an extremely high order.' Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society
'The value of A History of Islamic Societies lies in its sheer comprehensiveness. In one volume a vast amount of material is synthesized and presented in a clear and effective style. There is nothing else like it. For the first time the worldwide history of Islamic societies is made accessible to the interested reader.' The Journal of Asian Studies
Review of first edition: 'I do not think that any other world civilization can boast a comparable general account of such substance and quality … this is a great deal more than a textbook. It is a product of learning, intellect and style of an extremely high order.' Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society
Review of first edition: 'I do not think that any other world civilization can boast a comparable general account of such substance and quality. .. this is a great deal more than a textbook. It is a product of learning, intellect and style of an extremely high order.' Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society
Product Description
In the second edition of this classic work, Ira Lapidus explores the origins and evolution of Muslim societies. The book, now revised and updated, is divided into three parts. The first covers the formative era of Islamic civilization. The second traces the diffusion of worldwide Islamic societies, while the third explores their reaction to European imperialism, and emergence as independent states. The concluding chapters consider Islam's recent history, the formation of Islamic revival movements and global Islamic identities. The book is essential reading for students and for those seeking to understand the Muslim peoples.
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Islamic societies were built upon the framework of an already established and ancient Middle Eastern civilization. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
Islamic societies were built upon the framework of an already established and ancient Middle Eastern civilization. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Lapidus' is considered a standard text on the history of Islamic societies in many universities, and rightly so. The text is insightful enough not to fall into the trap of analyzing every event in Islamic history as necessarily religiously motivated albeit he sometimes he sometimes fails to discover the theological links between different groups within the larger Muslim body. The texts focuses, quite naturally, on the larger historical events and does not dwell too much on the theological aspect of Muslim society and rightly so. That would be a totally different subject.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have recently read through the first 300 pages of this book. It is very well written and very well researched. It has often surprised me with clarifications of some complex issues which were also linked to complex development of theological and philosophical schools in early Islamic history. The author does not seem to waste words.
Very well researched.
I have the first edition and im assuming there have been some updates made on second edition.
The book itself, although a 1988 print, is still very well researched.
Over the years I have read through various books on Islam, from Muslim and non-Muslim perspectives, academic and non-academic. But for some reason, this was the only book that stands out far better then most of the books I have read on development on early Islamic history.
As a Social Historian, Lapidus is a very good author and writer. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the basic development of Islamic societies worldwide.
Other authors I would recommend are Bernard Lewis and Montgomery Watt. Most of Lewis's works seem to focus on the development of Arabs throughout their history with not much significance given to the theological and philosophical developments of the early schools. Watt's works seems to analyse the development of various Islmaic philosophies but may need a little updating. However his book "The Prophet: A Statesman" is a brialliant historical outlook on Muhammads life. Its a summarised book on two much larger volumes.
My personal favourite though would be Lapidus
Very well researched.
I have the first edition and im assuming there have been some updates made on second edition.
The book itself, although a 1988 print, is still very well researched.
Over the years I have read through various books on Islam, from Muslim and non-Muslim perspectives, academic and non-academic. But for some reason, this was the only book that stands out far better then most of the books I have read on development on early Islamic history.
As a Social Historian, Lapidus is a very good author and writer. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the basic development of Islamic societies worldwide.
Other authors I would recommend are Bernard Lewis and Montgomery Watt. Most of Lewis's works seem to focus on the development of Arabs throughout their history with not much significance given to the theological and philosophical developments of the early schools. Watt's works seems to analyse the development of various Islmaic philosophies but may need a little updating. However his book "The Prophet: A Statesman" is a brialliant historical outlook on Muhammads life. Its a summarised book on two much larger volumes.
My personal favourite though would be Lapidus
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
14 reviews
46 of 49 people found the following review helpful
The definitive one-volume treatment of Islamic Societies
30 Oct 2001
Format:Paperback
The back cover claims this to be an "[a]uthorative and comprehensive history of Islamic societies written for the general reader and student that will no doubt prove to be a classic work in its field." I am happy to report that claim to be justified.
In clear and accessible style for college-level reading, Lapidus covers the Arab-Turkish-Iranian core as well as the African, Indian, and Indonesian periphery of the Muslim world. He also touches on the ex-Soviet and Chinese Muslims. The differences in political and economic organization are highlighted and contrasted, the variations of Islamic belief are explored, and the challenges of modernity are addressed.
If you're looking for a chronicling of dynastic politics, military vicissitudes, and 'great man' theories of history, look elsewhere. If you want a comprehensive, balanced synthesis comparing Islamic societies for the last 1400 years, read this book.
After reading "A History of Islamic Societies", consider moving on to Marshall Hodgson's three-volume set "The Venture of Islam".
35 of 38 people found the following review helpful
Bold arguments suited for non-beginners
7 Jun 2000
Format:Hardcover
This is no ordinary history facts-and-dates book for beginners. The rule is that you must have some general idea of the whole Islamic history, preferrably have read J.J. Saunder's 'The History of Medieval Islam.'
For those of you who have done your reading this is the perfect companion to test your arguments to the very limits. Some of Lapidus' arguments inconveniently disturb sacred faith of the pious, others might open up new horizon to the seculars, but mostly the arguments offer relevant issues never before thought correlated.
Buy it, read it, and love it. But don't hesitate to throw it out of the window when it gets too obstructing. Just pick it up the next day and read it some more, only then you'll appreciate what Prof. Lapidus has done for us. It easily become a classic in a short while.
19 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Detailed and Readable
28 Feb 2005
Format:Paperback
This is a classic work on the history of Islamic societies. I'm not a historian, but found the book very readable. Its 900+ pages present an in-depth analysis of the history of North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, leading up to the rise of Islam. Interestingly, Lapidus reveals the rise of Islam did not happen in a sudden, broad sweep, as I had been led to believe. Rather, Islam was adopted by Bedouins, merchants, etc. one tribe and village at a time. According to Lapidus, Islam has been marked with internal strife from the beginning when numerous civil wars over doctrine, leadership, and interpretation of the Prophet's message, led to the division of the faith into its Sunni and Shi'a sects. It is an incredible story that every westerner should read. The book covers the periods prior to Mohammed's revelations through the 20th century, and is divided into three parts:
The Origins of Islamic Civilization: 600 to 1200
The Worldwide diffusion of Islamic Societies
The Modern Transformation
As a Christian, I found the depiction of Christianity's role in the Middle East, especially in the early days of Islam, interesting. Lapidus is a noted scholar and has done us all a service by writing this book. I highly recommend it.
The Origins of Islamic Civilization: 600 to 1200
The Worldwide diffusion of Islamic Societies
The Modern Transformation
As a Christian, I found the depiction of Christianity's role in the Middle East, especially in the early days of Islam, interesting. Lapidus is a noted scholar and has done us all a service by writing this book. I highly recommend it.
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