Islamic Art and Architecture

Bought this book for my husband who was taking an Islamic Art and Architecture class. It was a useful resource for the course, knowledgeably researched and written. We purchased a used copy that arrived quickly and in excellent condition. Would recommend based on content, quality and service.

This book provides a very good account of Islamic art through the ages. However, one of the 'golden' eras of Islamic art and architecture, the Mughal era, has not been treated sufficiently -- it's only been treated tangentially. The Mughals ruled the Indian Subcontinent and adjacent areas for about 500 years, and combined Persian, Arabic, Indian and other styles in a brilliant system of arts. A chapter on them would pretty much complete the book.

As a beginner to the world of Islamic Art and architecture, I recently completed reading this book and found it a good introduction. It covers the development and major themes in architecture, ceramics, figure painting and calligraphy (textiles to a smaller extent) of Ummayyad, Abbasid, Fatimid, Saljuq, Atabegs, Mamluks, Islamic Spain and Morrocco, Ilkhanids/Timurids, Safavids and the Ottomans.Islamic art and architecture of the Indian Subcontinent (eg Dehli Sultanate or Mughal India) is not covered at all in this book.It has a good sampling of pictures in colour of especially major architectural monuments. I think the strength of this book is especially strong as an introduction to Islamic architecture. Its coverage of the other areas is not bad either.

This book has an unbilievable combination of detail, broad coverage of various topics, ability to keep attention concentrated due to a great way the book is written. Illustrations were both artistically beautiful and helpful in understanding the topics covered. I am in love with this book and, after library reading it, I am ordering it today!!!