Lost History: The Enduring Legacy of Muslim Scientists, Thinkers, and Artists

Like finding a precious gem in the middle of a pile of debris, I consider this book as much of a rare find in this age. Truly honest and well-researched, it compiles a mind-bewildering amount of detail and information about everything from Islamic history to scientific advancements of the Middle Ages through political conditions of pre-modern Europe. It is written in such a fluid, eloquent style that Morgan has become one of my favorite authors, and I hope to find more of his work. I have researched the history of development of the arts and letters and science informally and will start to pursue it academically, so I can say about this work that it is as concise and comprehensive a compilation as any I have come across. George Sarton, a Harvard professor of the 1940's, has written 5 volumes on this subject, and yet, Morgan's analysis is more insightful. For instance, Sarton notes the ethnicity behind each and every Muslim scholar or scientist of other faith in the Islamic world who accomplished a great feat. Was he an Arab or a Persian or a Christian or a Jew? Sarton asks of each, in trying to establish that in many instances Jewish or Christian or non-Arab scholars achieved success on their own, thereby downplaying the significance of the Islamic Renaissance as a whole. Morgan makes the point that multi-ethnicity was exactly the source of the Islamic civilization's success: the multiplicity of people of faiths who lived harmoniously and collaborated on projects of translation and learning was a mark of the Muslim golden age's tolerance and pluralism. So while other historians emphasize the Muslim's material accomplishments in medieval times, they miss the Islamic contribution of tolerance and peace. Morgan does not. From p. 136 of Lost History: "By the ninth and tenth centuries, the Jewish intellectual communities and economies of Muslim Spain, in cities like Cordoba, Seville, and Toledo, are at their peak. Not only have Jews risen to hold the second highest political position in the realm, under Hasdai ibn Shaprut working for Caliph Abd Al-Rahman III; they are also producing their own rich literature, music, philosophy, and scientific thought, sometimes independently, sometimes in collaboration with those of other faiths." Morgan's precision in unfolding the history of the Muslims from one era to another and from one glorious center of learning to another (Baghdad to Cordoba, or Damascus to Cairo) does not lose the reader or leave him/her bogged down in dates. His narration flows effortlessly and takes you on an awe-inspiring ride. Though one reviewer noted that Morgan over-reaches when he tries to write of scholars' past thoughts (such as Ibn Sina), I think he is using a fictive element (3rd person omniscient) for a good reason. He is trying to evoke a recognition in the Western mind of what another culture has experienced. It is just one technique he uses in making us understand another peoples by walking in their shoes. He i

LOST HISTORY: THE ENDURING LEGACY OF MUSLIM SCIENTISTS, THINKERS, AND ARTISTS comes from a diplomat who provides a reasoned view of Muslim culture to counter the current negative focus on terrorism and war. It seeks to return positive Islam's contributions to world attention, examining its major cultural, artistic and scientific contributions over the centuries and showing how early Muslim breakthroughs in science, culture and business helped build the European Renaissance and other movements - right up to modern digital times. A 'must' for any college-level collection strong in Islamic history and culture or world history in general. Diane C. Donovan California Bookwatch

This book has an articulated, worthy purpose: to bring to the general reader some understanding of the richness of Islamic civilization. The details of the work of Moslem writers, scientists and artists have been lost to general perception in Western history, yet the accomplishments of Islamic society, from the seventh century on, have flowed into and enriched the Judeo-Christian world. In fact, the three traditions -- Christian, Jewish, and Islamic -- are inextricably braided. The Islamic world gave rise to some of the earliest libraries, universities and hospitals and, at its best, has encouraged an idea of civic tolerance that permits the development of the talents of all, whatever the religious orientation. In Lost History, Michael Morgan presents a dense and richly detailed overview of the flowering of Islamic culture. While he gives some attention to religious controversies and some to war and conquest, Morgan's primary purpose is to illuminate the achievements of the artists and intellectuals -- not all of them Moslem -- who were nurtured by Islamic society. The book is a call to become more aware of how their work still echoes around us; it is a spur to further reading and study.

In these troubled times, it is in the best interest of humanity to extend bridges of understanding between various cultures. Conflict and war accomplish nothing and destroy everything. This book introduces us to the facts about Islamic civilsation in a simple, concise, and enjoyable way. The book shows us how interwined and inter-dependent our history is. In this respect, the book serves a great purpose of closing the cultural gap and reduce chances for conflict. I find the book a valuable work for the cause of peace on Earth. This book brings to us the truth about Islamic civilsation and its great contributions to the Western civilsation as we know it today. If you want the truth about Islam and Islamic civilsation, turn off the TV, put the newspaper aside, and read this book!

I'm grateful for this informative book written specifically for those of us without an extensive background in the complexities it covers. It's readable and provides real insight into the tensions that are affecting us all today. It's a fascinating read. I hope Mr. Morgan gets the coverage for this book that it's due -- it could prove useful to many of us -- educators and interested folks alike.