Carole Hillenbrand Bücher

"This is not a chronological survey of the events of the period 1099 to 1291 and even beyond, for that has already been done several times. Instead, this is a general book intended to introduce some of the wider aspects of the history of the Crusades from the Muslim side. Accordingly, as a deliberate policy, an attempt is made here to view the phenomenon of the Crusades entirely through the prism of medieval Muslim sources. This naturally involves bias, but such a bias is salutary given the cumulative impact of centuries of Eurocentric scholarship in this field and it should help to create a more balanced picture of this fascinating and momentous period of Christian/Muslim confrontation and interaction." "The text is accompanied by well over 500 illustrations of medieval Islamic art which provide a visual reinforcement for this attempt to view the Crusades from 'the other side'."--Jacket

This invaluable book offers a profound understanding of the history of Muslims and their faith, from the life of Muhammad to the religion practised by 1.6 billion people around the world today. Each of its eleven chapters explains a core aspect of the faith in historical perspective, allowing readers to gain a sensitive understanding of the essential tenets of the religion and of the many ways in which the present is shaped by the past. This is an ideal introductory text for courses in Middle Eastern studies, in religious studies, or on Islam and its history.

This volume collects 20 papers on the Crusades by one of the world's leading experts on medieval Islamic history. It explores the distinctive nature of Islamic jihad as expressed in poetry, sermons and inscriptions; the development of the counter-crusade; and the careers of major Muslim leaders including Zengi and Saladin.

This volume collects 24 papers on the medieval Turks by one of the world's leading experts on medieval Islamic history. It covers themes such as nomadism, shamanism, clan and social structure, the role of women, military expertise, engagement with Islamic orthodoxy and the daily interface between Turks and non-Turks.