Description:
This book discusses Arab history, law, philosophy, politics, and literature, analyzing the challenges and responses aroused by the interaction between Western culture and the ancient and modern Arab cultures. It offers a wealth of information on the forces that have shaped Arab civilization and on several of the major figures who have contributed to its development. Some of the outstanding contributions include a comprehensive study of Dr. Zurayk as the advocate of rationalism in modern Arab thought by Hani A. Faris; a sober but challenging look at the use of Islamic history in our time by Muhsin Mahdi; an analysis of the expression of historicity in the Koran by Jacques Berque; an explanation of the concept of equity in Islamic law by Majid Khadduri; and the revelation of a Mamluk Magna Carta by Aziz Sourial Atiya.
Brief description: George N. Atiyeh is the head of the Near East Section at the Library of Congress. He has authored and edited a number of books and articles, among which are al-Kindi, the Philosopher of the Arabs; The Contemporary Middle East, 1948-1973: A Bibliography; and Arab Civilization: Challenges and Responses.
Review Quotes:
"It will be essential for any serious student of Arab and Muslim civilization."--Marius Deeb, Georgetown University
"It will establish itself as one of the important sources of knowledge and reference in the field of Arabic and Middle Eastern studies." --K. I. H. Semaan, SUNY, Binghamton
"Arab Civilization is notable in terms of the breadth of the subjects covered and is appropriate in that it mirrors much of the work done by Constantine Zurayk himself. It is a very welcome addition to the literature in the field." --Rashid Khalidi, Columbia University