People of the Book: The Forgotten History of Islam and the West - Softcover

Karabell, Zachary

9780719567568: People of the Book: The Forgotten History of Islam and the West

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0719567564 ISBN 13: 9780719567568

Publisher: John Murray Publishers Ltd, 2007

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We live in a world polarized by the ongoing conflict between Muslims, Christians and Jews, but - in an extraordinary narrative spanning fourteen centuries - Zachary Karabell argues that the relationship between Islam and the West has never been simply one of animosity and competition, but has also comprised long periods of cooperation and coexistence. Through a rich tapestry of stories and a compelling cast of characters, People of the Book uncovers known history, and forgotten history, as Karabell takes the reader on an extraordinary journey through the Arab and Ottoman empires, the Crusades and the Catholic Reconquista and into the modern era, as he examines the vibrant examples of discord and concord that have existed between these monotheistic faiths. By historical standards, today's fissure between Islam and the West is not exceptional, but because of the technologies of death and destruction, because of weapons of mass destruction, that fissure has the potential to undo us more than ever before. This is reason enough to look back and remember that Christians, Jews and Muslims have lived constructively with one another. They have fought and taught each other, and they have learned from one another. Retrieving this forgotten history is a vital ingredient to a more stable, secure world.

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Review

This is an intelligent and continuously interesting book - Allan Massie, Daily Telegraph Excellent ... in its considered and balanced way, this book is an impassioned plea not to leave the field to the demagogues who believe in a showdown of warring cultures - Waterstone's Books Quarterly A stimulating book with burning contemporary relevance - Siobhan Murphy, Metro (London) Praise for the US edition of People of the Book: 'The clash between Muslims, Christians, and Jews dominates the news these days, but as Zachary Karabell highlights, there is more to the relationship between these three faiths than violence. In a book that sweeps the reader across fourteen centuries from the birth of Islam to present-day Dubai, he tells the forgotten stories of coexistence and cooperation. Peace Be upon You reminds us of the possibility of a better future' - Newsweek International In this season of crisis, Zachary Karabell has written an important book about an often overlooked issue - relations between Arabs, Christians and Jews since ancient times. This vivid, fast-moving book should interest everyone who is concerned with the Middle East. Filled with extraordinary stories of cooperation and conflict, it illuminates, and could help guide us through the present crisis - Ambassador Richard Holbrooke Perhaps if such a historical perspective was more widespread to