Arabs In Europe

English, Italian (translation)

When Arab soldiers crossed the Strait of Gibraltar to enter Spain in A.D. 711, Spanish Jews offered the invaders wholehearted support. The Muslim conquerors were tolerant, allowing subjects to follow their own faiths. Christian communities flourished in Seville and Cordoba. This eye-opening chronicle of Arab conquest argues that Western historians have overplayed the importance of the Christian Crusades in bringing science and philosophy to Europe while downplaying the role of Muslim Spain. From the Arabs, Europeans learned how to use astronomical instruments; translations from Arabic into Latin made possible advances in Islamic science, medicine and mathematics and introduced previously unavailable works by Plato, Galen and Aristotle. The popular rhymes of 12th century poet Ibn Quzman seem to have inspired the troubadours. Among the scores of color illustrations here are interior photographs of the Alhambra and Alcazar, dazzling arabesques and little-known Muslim architecture in Sicily.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

This informative and entertaining book treats the development of Arab civilization in Western Europe from the 8th through 15th centuries and shows the influence of Arab culture on Europe. Two chapters are on Spain and one is on Sicily. The remaining three chapters deal with the Arab conquest of the Mediterranean, Islam in Europe, and Islamic art. A conclusion lists the major contributions of Muslim Arab civilization to Europe. The text is well written and the book beautifully illustrated. Aptly selected contemporary descriptions by Arabic writers enliven the narrative. More detailed captions, or numbering the plates and identifying them in the text, would have improved the visual orientation of this elegant large-format book. Recommended for academic and public libraries. J. Anthony Gardner, California State Univ. Lib., Northridge
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.