Bernard Lewis

A popular history of the Middle East traces the rise and spread of Islam throughout this volatile region, the impact of Western ideas and technology, and Islamic fundamentalism and its struggle to control the spread of Western thought.

From secular-minded autocrats like Saddam Hussein to religious fundamentalists like Osama bin Laden, powerful voices in the Islamic world have been united by a fierce hatred of the West. If we want to know why they think the way they do, we have to understand the history of Islam and its continuous interactions with the West. This masterly collection of essays by a leading expert on Islam and the Middle East ranges over the whole sweep of Islamic...

"For many people, Islam remains a mystery. Here Bernard Lewis and Buntzie Ellis Churchill examine Islam: what its adherents believe and how their religion has shaped them, their rich and diverse cultures, and their politics over more than 14 centuries."--Book jacket.

Presents the life and career of the Middle East specialist, from his professional relationships with world leaders to his accomplishments in world politics, and offers the author's analysis of the political transformation of the region.

"...this dramatic documentary chronicles the deep historical roots of Al-Qáida, examining the years of political oppression, economic stagnation, religious fanaticism, and violence that gave rise to the attacks of September 11. 2002. It features rare footage, and insightful commentary by leading scholars and journalists including Bernard Lewis, Fareed Zakaria, Thomas Friedman, Irshad Manji, Azar Nafisis, Kanan Makiya, Fawaz Gerges, and David Fromkin."...

"In this book thirteen eminent authorities provide a long-overdue and highly rewarding survey of Islamic culture and history, from the days of the Prophet Muhammad to modern times. The names of the contributors and their academic affiliations appear on the back of this book jacket. Their specific subjects cover: the faith of Islam and the people who embraced it; Islamic art and architecture; the growth and culture of urban Islam; the mystic path of...