Islam V 1, Politics & War

 This is a documentary history of Islam from the advent of the prophet Muhammad to the capture of Constantinople by Sultan Mehmed, the Conqueror. It is concerned with a period that extends from the beginning of the seventh century to 1453; with a region that expands from western Arabia to embrace the Middle East and North Africa, as well as parts of Asia, of tropical Africa and southern and eastern Europe; with peoples and states which, amid many diversities, shared a common acceptance of the faith and law of Islam and professed to live by them; and, finally, with the civilization they created. The volumes are now once again made available in paperback.

Review: "Invaluable source of introductory primary source readings suitable for beginning students."--Judith Rood, Wayne State University "Offer[s] 167 translated sections from over 110 sources....All have been translated by Bernard Lewis, arguably the premier orientalist in the world today....A very useful set of books."--Teaching History "An excellent collection of sources in translation; 'must reading' for the beginner, as well as the specialist."--Avigdor Levy, Brandeis University "Supplies a vital part of world history long lacking in Western scholarship on this period."--Christian Science Monitor "A well-chosen, expertly translated selection of primary sources that reval nuances of the evolution of Islamic civilization that a secondary text cannot always convey."--Jane Hathaway, Ohio State University "Constitutes a very important collection of original texts...and [makes them] accessible in their English version to American students."--Andrew S. Ehrenkreutz, University of Michigan "A lively collection of primary sources."--William A. Graham, Harvard University