Historia de la Espa??a isl??mica / A History of Islamic Spain (Spanish Edition) by W. Montgomery Watt

The New Edinburgh Islamic Surveys

by William Montgomery Watt

The period of Muslim occupation in Spain represents the only significant contact Islam and Europe was ever to have on European soil. In this important as well as fascinating study, Watt traces Islam's influence upon Spain and European civilization - from the collapse of the Visigoths in the eighth century to the fall of Granada in the fifteenth, and considers Spain's importance as a part of the Islamic empire. Particular attention is given to the golden period of economic and political stability achieved under the Umayyads. Without losing themselves in detail and without sacrificing complexity, the authors discuss the political, social, and economic continuity in Islamic Spain, or al-Andalus, in light of its cultural and intellectual effects upon the rest of Europe. Medieval Christianity, Watt points out, found models of scholarship in the Islamic philosophers and adapted the idea of holy war to its own purposes while the final reunification of Spain under the aegis of the Reconquista played a significant role in bringing Europe out of the Middle Ages. A survey essential to anyone seeking a more complete knowledge of European or Islamic history, the volume also includes sections on literature and philology by Pierre Cachia. This series of "Islamic surveys" is designed to give the educated reader something more than can be found in the usual popular books. Each work undertakes to survey a special part of the field, and to show the present stage of scholarship here. Where there is a clear picture this will be given; but where there are gaps, obscurities and differences of opinion, these will also be indicated. Full and annotated bibliographies will afford guidance to those who want to pursue their studies further. There will also be some account of the nature and extent of the source material. The series is addressed in the first place to the educated reader, with little or no previous knowledge of the subject; its character is such that it should be of value also to university students and others whose interest is of a more professional kind.

Genres: History, Islam, Nonfiction, Spain, Religion, Spanish History

Paperback

First published January 1, 1965

About the author

William Montgomery Watt was a Scottish historian, an Emeritus Professor in Arabic and Islamic Studies at the University of Edinburgh. Watt was one of the foremost non-Muslim interpreters of Islam in the West, was an enormously influential scholar in the field of Islamic studies and a much-revered name for many Muslims all over the world." Watt's comprehensive biography of the Islamic prophet, Muhammad, Muhammad at Mecca (1953) and Muhammad at Medina (1956), are considered to be classics in the field .

Watt held visiting professorships at the University of Toronto, the Collège de France, and Georgetown University, and received the American Giorgio Levi Della Vida Medal and won, as its first recipient, the British Society for Middle Eastern Studies award for outstanding scholarship.

Reviews

[ميقات الراجحي · Rating 4 out of 5]

عناية مونتقمري / مونتغمري بجزئية الفن والعمارة أجدها أعظم من تخصيصية الجانب الديني والسياسي في التاريخ الإسلامي. فكتباته مهما عظمت عند البعض فهي ممنهجة خطيرة خصوصًا تلك التي تناول فيها الرسول واصفًا تجربته وعظمته التي قامت على دوره ككاهن عظيم وغير وصفه بالشهوانية فيما يخـص زواجه وغيرها من الأمور.




من قرأ من قبل لكتبات المستشرقين والرحالة وحتى لكتابات عرب مثل (هادي العلوي) وبعض نتاج (طه حسين) سوف يرى تواجد النظرة المادية وفق المدرسة التاريخية الحديثة ووفق النظرة الأوربية أي حضور تأصيل الفكرة حول أسس مادية بحتة من اجتماعية مدنية وفق تطورها ومن جوانب إقتصادية تفرض قراراتها على الحدث التاريخي فهذا هو مونتقمري هنا في هذا الكتاب

يتحدث عن الفتح الإسلامي، وعصر الإمارة، والخلافة، م الإنجازات الحضارية، وإنهيار الحكم العربي ليمهد للحديث عن القوات المغربية المرابطين والموحدينو ثم العظمة التاريخة من شعر وأدب وشتى العلوم والفن، ويختم حديث بتمجيد دور العرب وأثره على إسبانيا المسيحية وأوروبا.

غير ذلك هو يحسن تناول المادة التاريخية ويحت توظيفها جيدًا، ووجدته ممبدعًا في هذا الكتاب أكثر من كتابيه (محمد في مكة)، و (محمد في المدينة) اللذان خصصهما لحياة الرسول وهما أشهر ما قدم، وكذلك هنا لم يتنازل عن دوره الذي أعتمده في مسيرته الإستشراقية وهي رد (بعض) التهم الذي قال بها بعض زملائه السابقين عن الإسلام والفتح الإسلامي فدحضها من وجهة نظره وهي تلامس وجهة النظر الإسلامية / العربية ونفى الكثير من التهم الغربية حول التواجد الإسلامي في الأندلس – إسبانيا.

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good overall survey ...a little too scholarly. Misses some historical anecdotes. I finished this book in Cordoba.
In the 'mezquita" there are exquisite arcades of red and white horse shoe gates. The Moslems knew how to mix architecture with emptiness. the Catholics try to fill the empty spaces with golden"fuckies" like in Disneyland plastic figurines of your favorite FROZEN characters. Let us hope that God is suitably impressed with gold idols, and doesn't notice the sacramental clutter.

[Ha Li · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit dry but very informative and easy to read. For a class, this is a typical read and very classically history-based written. I leave it with a newfound pool of knowledge, but otherwise unfortunately no lasting impressions.

[Mehmet Dönmez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hz. Muhammed’in biyografisiyle bana bambaşka bir perspektif kazandırmış Montgomery Watt, İslamın Kuzey Afrika’dan sokulan öteki yüzü, Endülüs İslam Devleti hakkında bir giriş kitabı kaleme almış. Henüz gezmemin kısmet olmadığı bu coğrafyaya dair ilk kısım ansiklopedik- o kısım çok belleğimde yer etmedi, yani çok gezenin bileceği bir kez daha onaylanmış oluyor. Sonlara doğru İslamın o coğrafyaya bıraktığı, düşünsel, edebi ve mimari izlere dair kısım ise daha çok ilgimi çekti; İbn Rüşd, İbni Arabi (ki Murcialı olduğunu bilmiyordum), İbn Bacce gibi filozofların yaşamları, coğrafyadan nasıl etkilendiklerini ve İslam toplumu için ne anlama geldiklerini okumak keyifliydi

[Carlos Nouaille · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un repaso rápido sobre la historia de Al-Ándalus. Mucho más en línea con las tesis de Américo Castro (de la convivencia entre los herederos del reino visigodo y la Hispania islámica surgen nuevos reinos cristianos) que con las de Claudio Sánchez Albornoz (el paso de la cultura islámica por España fue un paréntesis dentro de su trayectoria cristiana). Comprado en la librería que hay dentro de la Alhambra de Granada, lo que no deja de tener su gracia.

[Jose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ensayo sobre la historia de la España musulmana. Primero he de decir que no tengo mucha idea de este periodo, por lo que busque un libro tipo introductorio, y de decir que cumple bastante bien. No se mete demasiado en las intrigas y te da una idea bastante general del periodo. Además del desarrollo histórico también se mete en el desarrollo artístico del periodo tocando temas de poesía y literatura.
El libro es corto y directo, no da demasiadas vueltas. Por lo que me parece una buena elección para aquellos que no tenemos mucha idea del periodo. Para los que ya hayan leído o estudiado algo probablemente se quede corto.

[Carlos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Watt’s survey of Islamic Spain is not without its merits but it is also not without its faults. His skill is best shown when giving a political history of the Spain from the 8th to 15th centuries. He is detailed but not overbearing and manages to find an equilibrium between overwhelming and boring a lay reader. One aspect that I did not particularly cared for was his emphasis on poetry over architecture when discussing the art of Moorish Spain. As he himself admits, there was not a whole lot of novel poetry going on in al-Andalus and as the pictures he included in his book can demonstrate, the most iconic aspects of Islamic Spain are its buildings. Aside from that Watt does a very good job and concludes the book with an analysis on the importance and significance of this time period that is simply superb. I would definitely recommend this to someone curious of Spain’s Islamic past.

[Humza · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me an embarrassingly long time to finish this book. Although it was definitely informative, it tended to be on the dry side at times. Additionally, it seems to be a word for word translation from the original English which made for a somewhat choppy read. If Spanish is not your first language, be prepared to stop and look up words every couple of minutes like I had to do. For all of its flaws, this book is a good start on understanding the fascinating history of Muslim Spain. Muslim Spain often is oversimplified either as a multi-ethnic/religious utopia or horrific colonization by outsiders. The reality is much more nuanced and Watt portrays that excellently in this book. I very much appreciated the attention he paid to the place Muslim Spain occupied within the rest of the Muslim world at large. Muslim Spain greatly influenced the rest of the world (Muslim and otherwise) but it was also influenced by its Arab/North African roots. The best part of the book for me was the focus Watt placed on the cultural achievements of Al Andalus specifically. Whether it was his chapters on Islamic scholarship, architecture, or poetry Watt paints a vivid picture of a rich culture that was both spiritual and practical. My favorite passage of the entire book comes at the very end where he compares the Parthenon in Greece to the Alhambra in Granada. He discusses how while impressive, the Parthenon is a structure of external beauty while the Alhambra is best appreciated from the interior first and then the exterior. He says this is emblematic of the two societies that produced the works of architecture. While both Greece and Muslim Spain was politically/materially impressive, Al Andalus also had a spiritual depth that was unparalleled for its time. He explains that is what makes Muslim Spain so unique. Although it did reach great material heights, it did so on a foundation of exceptional faith and spirituality. Watt poignantly ends the book with this: “When we admire the Parthenon, we mainly do so from outside, whereas it is only from inside that the Alhambra can be admired. This has nothing to do with the contrast of religious and secular purposes, for it is also true that the glories of the Great Mosque of Cordova are mainly within. It has further been suggested that the slender pillars of the Alhambra with the elaborate and massive overstructure express the descent from a supernal realm of that which is of eternal value and signifi- cance, whereas other buildings express rather mans attempt to rise up to heaven...If there is something in the above suggestion which even distantly approximates to the essence of the appreciated beauty, then man in the Western-European tradition who finds the beauty of the Alhambra touching a responsive chord in himself is acknowledging the high intrinsic worth of this expression of the soul of Islamic Spain, and providing himself with a key to a deeper understanding of this whole culture.”

[Navid Molaaghaei · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of those books that you start reading, thinking you know a lot in advance, but which leaves you so much smarter and hungry for more. Great historians don’t need lots of space, and not only does Watt take one through the intricate political and social histories of the various and competing dynasties in “Islamic Spain”, he also makes great reflections on the period’s contribution to world literature, art and ideas and how these stand compared to the modern world perceptions of Christianity vs Islam and East vs West. Just as relevant today as it was back in 1965, probably even more! It will shatter any lazy black and white perceptions of this thoroughly fascinating period in history. Can’t wait to visit Granada and Cordoba in a few weeks!

[AskHistorians]

Very dated, but a useful introduction for those who have no background on Spain prior to 1492CE. Covers all periods from the Islamic conquest of Hispania through to the fall of Granada. Particularly useful as Watt is an Islamicist, rather than a European historian. It is the latter who have written many of the most popular books on Islamic Spain, and thereby often don't utilize Arabic sources - or utilize them solely in translation.

[Erik Graff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was loaned to me by a woman who said her ambition was to study the confluence of cultures--Jewish, Christian and Islamic--in Islamic Spain. Reading it was a delight because I knew so little about the Visigoths and pre-Christian Spain but had been exposed to Iberian intellectuals of the period in seminary without the kind of useful background this volume provided.

[Sergio Armisén · Rating 4 out of 5]

Si hay algo que llama la atención de este libro es su capacidad de síntesis: resulta todo un reto resumir unos ocho siglos de presencia musulmana en la península en escasas 190 páginas (si bien de letra pequeñita y apretada).

Además aproximadamente la mitad del libro está dedicada a la historia del arte del Al-Andalus. Es evidente que la historia del arte Andalusí pertenece a la foto más amplia, pero eso deja menos espacio a los sucesos políticos -que son los que, personalmente, a mí más me interesaban- haciendo que estos se sucedan a ritmo vertiginoso y sin apenas profundizar en los mismos. Eventos capitales, como el derrumbamiento del reino Visigodo, las batallas de Zalaqa y las Navas de Tolosa y sus consecuencias o el califato de Abdherraman III, son mencionados de manera excesivamente resumida y esquemática.

Sin embargo todos los hechos fundamentales están ahí (la conquista, el emirato inicial, el califato Omeya, los interludios de Taifas, los imperios bereberes -Almoravide y Almohade- el ocaso Nazarí) y además explicados admirablemente. Una de las grandes virtudes de este libro es lo bien que captura el espíritu 'Andalusí' en toda su singularidad, comparándolo con la cultura islámica original procedente de oriente.

En resumen una buena introducción para aquellos que, como yo, que no teníamos un conocimiento aceptable del tema.

[Víctor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lo cogí en la tienda de recuerdos de la Alhambra pensando que sería algo más divulgativo, pero es un libro que asume que ya conoces algo de historia del mundo islámico y de las corrientes del islam que existían en aquella época. Esto me ha llevado a tener que buscar a qué se refería en más de una ocasión. En cualquier caso, me ha ayudado a estructurar un poco el guirigai que tenía en mi cabeza con árabes, mozárabes, almorábides, almohades y demases y ponerlo en relación con la situación del mundo árabe del momento. Tengo que decir que me ha sorprendido que pase de puntillas por las maravillas arquitectónicas de al-Andalus y dedique tanto espacio a hablar sobre la poesía que allí se dio. Desconozco si esta es más relevante en términos históricos o es una filia personal del autor, pero la verdad que es lo que menos me ha interesado. En cualquier caso, me alegro de haber comprado el libro, pero seguramente lo siguiente que lea sobre la cultura islámica sea algo más básico para poder enterarme un poco mejor de todo.

[Uladzislau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Толковая, легко читаемая книжка по теме - история мусульманской конкисты Европы, закончившаяся христианской Реконкистой. В 8 веке арабы вкупе с рекордно быстро исламизированными африканскими берберами буквально смели рыхлое вестготское королевство в будущей Испании и были остановлены почти на границах будущей Франции Карлом Мартеллом.
И что недавние кочевники привнесли в западную окраину погибшей империи? Устойчивую политическую власть, веротерпимость, юриспруденцию, фруктовые деревья, рис и хлопок, изумительную архитектуру, медицину, греческую ученость, утонченную роскошь, да в конце концов обычай мыть руки перед едой и штаны (мужчины оценили сразу, женщины воротили нос еще с тысячу лет).
Эта музыка не оказалась вечной, примерно через пятьсот лет немытые христиане взяли верх, и от мусульманской Испании остался только осколок в виде Гранады, который худо-бедно просуществовал еще пару сотен лет. Да и в самом арабском мире победила мусульманская реакция, так что роль лидеров исторического процесса все-таки за арабами не осталась. Но какая блестящая была попытка!

[Vasil]

Добро начално четиво за историята на арабска Испания. Пълно е с дати имена и интересни препратки, без да става досадно или натоварващо. Обхваща всичко от прекосяването на Тарик до последната въздишка на Боабдил, като разказва за бита, политиката, военните успехи и поражения, културата и т.н. на тези земи. Няколко глави са посветени на изкуството, като големият фокус е върху литература и философия, но всички те страдат от прекалена отплеснатост и ненужни детайли, като за сметка на това липсват илюстрации или снимки, които например да показват градините, архитектурата и прочее. Все пак си остава добра стартова точка с обзорен характер.

[Köstebek35 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Batılıların Endülüs'e dair hakim bakış açısına karşı eleştirel bir dille yazılmış olmasına karşın, aktörleri değiştirdiğimiz takdirde kendi kültürel-tarihsel 'gölgelerimize' dair de pek çok benzerlik keşfedebileceğimiz bir kitap.

[Alejandro Domínguez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Demasiado denso. Esta bien porque es muy descriptivo e intenta ir hilando las distintas partes a lo largo de las distintas epocas. Pero en mi opinion habla de demasiadas cosas a un nivel de profundidad demasiado alto. Es un libro como para historiadores, no para introducirse al tema

[Soumeya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un libro muy informativo que sirve de buena introducción a la historia islámica de España. Recomendaría completar esta lectura con otros libros que detallen más los hechos de cada periodo.

[Alejandro Herrero · Rating 4 out of 5]

LO LEÍ DE LA EDITORIAL "ALIANZA", ES UN GRAN LIBRO SI OS INTERESA LA CULTURA DE AL-ANDALUS Y OS QUEREÍS INICIAR UN POCO EN LA HISTORIA DE LA EDAD MEDIA EN ESPAÑA

[Bekir Arslan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kitap genelde güzel. Endülüs'ün sadece siyasi tarihini anlatmakla kalmamış, kültür, edebiyat, sanat, şiir..vs noktasında ehemmiyetini bazı yerlerde detaylı bazı yerler yüzeysel biçimde anlatmış. Hristiyan dünyası ile olan ilişkileri yanında hilafet merkezi ile olan ilişkileri de karşılaştırmalı olarak tahlil etmiş diyebilirim. Kimi yerlerde oryantalist fikirlere de yer vermiş.

Benim açımdan bu kitabı daha güzel şey ise kendi bilgilerimdeki kronolojik tarih ile paralel gitmek oldu. Endülüs hakkında ciddi manada bilgim yoktu. En azından detaylı değildi. Lisede ve sonrasında detaylıca okuma fırsatı bulduğum İslam ve Osmanlı Tarihi konularını okuduğuma şükretmeme de ayrıca vesile oldu diyebilirim. Dili akıcı ve usandırmıyor. Ben şahsen sevdim, tavsiye ederim.

Not: Benim okuduğum çeviri şu: http://www.kitapyurdu.com/kitap/defau...

[مي احمد · Rating 4 out of 5]

منتجمري وات احد المؤرخين المنصفين الذين تناولوا قصة الاندلس من فتحها حتى السقوط وسواء اختلفنا او اتفقنا معه فى تفسير الوقاءع والاحداث الا انه يظل كاتبا محايدا تناول التاريخ بنظرة موضوعية حتى وان كانت تحليلاته وتفسيراته مادية بحتة دون النظر للدين بشكل عام او الاسلام بشكل خاص كعامل هام فى حركة التاريخ
وهذا ليس عيبا يؤخذ عليه لانه فى النهاية مؤرخ مسيحي قد لا يسطتيع فهم معاني كالجهاد والايثار والتضحية بالنفس فى سبيل الله وما الى ذلك لهذا كان تفسيره للاحداث قاءم فى الاساس على عوامل اقتصادية واجتماعية مع تهميش دور الدين فيها.
الا انني اعتبر هذا الكتاب فى النهاية ردا قويا على مرددي الشبهات المتعلقة بالفتح الاسلامي لاسبانيا بدأ من اسباب الفتح -التى رحب بها الاسبان انفسهم- ومرورا بانتشار الاسلام بالسيف بين سكان ايبرية انتهاء بما يعرف بحروب الاسترداد التي ماهي فى الواقع الا عدوان همجي وابادة لسكان الاندلس المسلمين .

[Hüseyin Gökalp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eurocentric perspective is detected in interpretations. Too short to cover a nearly 900 years old historical period. I would expect more from Prof. Watt.

[Rohina]

this book is good.