D9 (RIP)
01-28-2004, 13:58
Just finished reading this book, and it is beyond the shadow of a doubt one of the most interesting and insightful commentaries I have read on the grand scale failure of civilization in the Islamic world. If you are interested in a compact, intellectually accessible work on the differences between the Islamic World and the West, and how those differences have contributed to the stark differences in their respective fortunes, then this is a good place to start.
Foremost among the book's virtues is Lewis' ability to identify essentials - an uncommon characteristic today. This is in complete contrast to most other works on this topic (and in general), which tend to treat grand issues (religion vs. reason) as heirarchically equivalent to ancillary or derivative ones (burkah's or not). A typical work today will give you a laundry list of differences without any attempt to integrate them under a single, defining, and essential difference. Lewis, by comparison, understands that most of the concrete differences we observe (burkahs, church v. state, etc) are themselves discreet manifestations of broader differences. IMO, he fails to take this as far as it needs to go, but he will take you 90% of the way there (which is 85% further than most other commentators on this subject).
Another of the books strengths is the fact that despite the rich intellectual content and Lewis' obvious erudition, his writing is neither impenetrable nor pretentious. Although serious and of a quality suitable for academia, Lewis' succinct style makes the book's robust content accesible even to those with only a passing familiarity with the region's history.
I had studied this topic in some detail before picking this book up, and I still learned a lot. I highly recommend it for all interested in better understanding the cultural chasm that underpins the relationship between the Islamic and Western World's today.
Foremost among the book's virtues is Lewis' ability to identify essentials - an uncommon characteristic today. This is in complete contrast to most other works on this topic (and in general), which tend to treat grand issues (religion vs. reason) as heirarchically equivalent to ancillary or derivative ones (burkah's or not). A typical work today will give you a laundry list of differences without any attempt to integrate them under a single, defining, and essential difference. Lewis, by comparison, understands that most of the concrete differences we observe (burkahs, church v. state, etc) are themselves discreet manifestations of broader differences. IMO, he fails to take this as far as it needs to go, but he will take you 90% of the way there (which is 85% further than most other commentators on this subject).
Another of the books strengths is the fact that despite the rich intellectual content and Lewis' obvious erudition, his writing is neither impenetrable nor pretentious. Although serious and of a quality suitable for academia, Lewis' succinct style makes the book's robust content accesible even to those with only a passing familiarity with the region's history.
I had studied this topic in some detail before picking this book up, and I still learned a lot. I highly recommend it for all interested in better understanding the cultural chasm that underpins the relationship between the Islamic and Western World's today.