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The Henry L. Stimson Lectures Series
Crusade and Jihad: The Thousand-Year War Between the Muslim World and the Global North
What really happened in the centuries of conflict between Europe, Russia, China, America, and the peoples of the Muslim world
Crusade and Jihad is the first book to encompass, in one volume, the entire history of the catastrophic encounter between the Global North—China, Russia, Europe, Britain, and America—and Muslim societies from Central Asia to West Africa. William R. Polk draws on more than half a century of experience as a historian, policy planner, diplomat, peace negotiator, and businessman to explain the deep hostilities between the Muslim world and the Global North and show how they grew over the centuries.
Polk shows how Islam arose and spread across North Africa into Europe, climaxed in the vibrant and sophisticated caliphate of al-Andalus in medieval Spain, and was the bright light in a European Dark Age. Simultaneously, Islam spread from the Middle East into Africa, India, and Southeast Asia. But following the Mongol invasions, Islamic civilization entered a decline while Europe began its overseas expansion. Portuguese buccaneers dominated the Indian Ocean; the Dutch and the English established powerful corporations that turned India and Indonesia into colonies; Russian armies pushed down the Volga into Central Asia, destroying its city-states; and the Chinese Qing dynasty slaughtered an entire Central Asian people. Britain crushed local industry and drained off wealth throughout its vast colonies. Defeated at every turn, Muslims tried adopting Western dress, organizing Westernstyle armies, and embracing Western ideas.
None of these efforts stopped the conquests. For Europe and Russia, the nineteenth century was an age of colonial expansion, but for the Muslim world it was an age of brutal and humiliating defeat. Millions were driven from their homes, starved, or killed, and their culture and religion came under a century-long assault.
In the twentieth century, brutalized and and disorganized native societies, even after winning independence, fell victim to “post-imperial malaise,” typified by native tyrannies, corruption, and massive poverty. The result was a furious blowback.
A sobering, scrupulous, and frank account of imperialism, colonialism, insurgency, and terrorism, Crusade and Jihad is history for anyone who wishes to understand the civilizational conflicts of today’s world.
Crusade and Jihad is the first book to encompass, in one volume, the entire history of the catastrophic encounter between the Global North—China, Russia, Europe, Britain, and America—and Muslim societies from Central Asia to West Africa. William R. Polk draws on more than half a century of experience as a historian, policy planner, diplomat, peace negotiator, and businessman to explain the deep hostilities between the Muslim world and the Global North and show how they grew over the centuries.
Polk shows how Islam arose and spread across North Africa into Europe, climaxed in the vibrant and sophisticated caliphate of al-Andalus in medieval Spain, and was the bright light in a European Dark Age. Simultaneously, Islam spread from the Middle East into Africa, India, and Southeast Asia. But following the Mongol invasions, Islamic civilization entered a decline while Europe began its overseas expansion. Portuguese buccaneers dominated the Indian Ocean; the Dutch and the English established powerful corporations that turned India and Indonesia into colonies; Russian armies pushed down the Volga into Central Asia, destroying its city-states; and the Chinese Qing dynasty slaughtered an entire Central Asian people. Britain crushed local industry and drained off wealth throughout its vast colonies. Defeated at every turn, Muslims tried adopting Western dress, organizing Westernstyle armies, and embracing Western ideas.
None of these efforts stopped the conquests. For Europe and Russia, the nineteenth century was an age of colonial expansion, but for the Muslim world it was an age of brutal and humiliating defeat. Millions were driven from their homes, starved, or killed, and their culture and religion came under a century-long assault.
In the twentieth century, brutalized and and disorganized native societies, even after winning independence, fell victim to “post-imperial malaise,” typified by native tyrannies, corruption, and massive poverty. The result was a furious blowback.
A sobering, scrupulous, and frank account of imperialism, colonialism, insurgency, and terrorism, Crusade and Jihad is history for anyone who wishes to understand the civilizational conflicts of today’s world.
576 pages, Hardcover
First published February 6, 2018
59 people are currently reading
984 people want to read
About the author
William R. Polk
30 books49 followersWilliam R. Polk taught Arabic literature and history at Harvard University and the University of Chicago, served on the Policy Planning Council under President Kennedy, negotiated the Egyptian-Israeli Suez ceasefire, and founded the Adlai Stevenson Institute of International Affairs. He has written nineteen books.
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April 7, 2020
كتاب عظيم ومهم لكل باحث مهتم في التاريخ، يتصف بالشمول والموسوعية والموضوعية التي أنصف المؤلف -من خلالها- حتى الأمم التي اضطهدها أجداده، كالسكان الأصليين لأميركا (فهو يعترف مثلا أنه علم، في وقت متأخر من عمره، أن الأرض التي ولد عليها والتي تعود ملكيتها لجده، هي مغتصبة في الواقع من السكان الأصليين). كان الكاتب، البروفيسور ويليام بولك، أستاذا للأدب العربي والتاريخ في جامعة هارفرد وجامعة شيكاغو، وعمل بنفسه في المجال السياسي لأكثر من 70 عاما التقى خلالها بأهم شخصيات القرن العشرين وأكثرها تأثيرا لأغراض مختلفة.
في هذا الكتاب الموسوعي القيّم، يأخذنا بولك في رحلة لنفهم التاريخ من خلالها "كمسيرة أو تتابع يؤدي من الماضي عبر الحاضر ونحو المستقبل". يتحدث عن الأمم الاستعمارية (عالم الشمال)، وكيف استقبلتها الأمم المستعمَرة المقهورة (عالم الجنوب)، وكيف أمسى حال العالم على ما هو عليه الآن من خوف وفوضى وإرهاب. يبدأ بحديث عن أمجاد الإسلام القديمة، ثم عن بدء الاستعمار وكيف تلقته شعوب الجنوب (فيتحدث ها هنا عن مصر والجزائر والهند والشيشان والسودان وليبيا والمغرب والآتشيه)، ثم عن سير أمم الجنوب إلى القومية العلمانية (ويتحدث هنا عن ثورة إيران 1904-1905، والحرب العالمية الأولى وتأثيرها على الشرق الأوسط، ثم عن فلسطين، وتركيا وأتاتورك وإلغاء مؤسسة الخلافة، ورضا شاه الذي أطاح بالقاجار واستولى على السلطة، ثم عن النزاع بين الهند وباكستان التي استقلت عنها، وعن كشمير وأفغانستان والجزائر مجددا، ثم عن جمال عبدالناصر والقومية العربية، وأخيرا عن صدام حسين). في الجزء الرابع، يتناول ما أسماه "بالرجوع إلى الإسلام"، حيث بدأ الحديث عن (ثورة الخميني بإيران، والإخوان المسلمين بمصر وحسن البنا وسيد قطب، وعن حزب الله وفتح وحماس، وعن تاريخ الأيغور والإسلام الصيني). وفي الجزء الخامس "الإسلام المحارب"، يتحدث عن (الفلبين وثورة المورو فيها، الصومال، نيجيريا، بن لادن والقاعدة، داعش). وأخيرا، في الخاتمة، يطرح الخلاصة لما فعله أهل الشمال بأهل الجنوب، والنتيجة التي آلت إليها فعالهم، ويحاول أن يوقظ الجهلة من أهل الشمال كي يضعوا أنفسهم مكان أهل الجنوب وليتفهموا ثقافتهم وأفكارهم.
حسين كاظم
٧ أبريل ٢٠٢٠م
في هذا الكتاب الموسوعي القيّم، يأخذنا بولك في رحلة لنفهم التاريخ من خلالها "كمسيرة أو تتابع يؤدي من الماضي عبر الحاضر ونحو المستقبل". يتحدث عن الأمم الاستعمارية (عالم الشمال)، وكيف استقبلتها الأمم المستعمَرة المقهورة (عالم الجنوب)، وكيف أمسى حال العالم على ما هو عليه الآن من خوف وفوضى وإرهاب. يبدأ بحديث عن أمجاد الإسلام القديمة، ثم عن بدء الاستعمار وكيف تلقته شعوب الجنوب (فيتحدث ها هنا عن مصر والجزائر والهند والشيشان والسودان وليبيا والمغرب والآتشيه)، ثم عن سير أمم الجنوب إلى القومية العلمانية (ويتحدث هنا عن ثورة إيران 1904-1905، والحرب العالمية الأولى وتأثيرها على الشرق الأوسط، ثم عن فلسطين، وتركيا وأتاتورك وإلغاء مؤسسة الخلافة، ورضا شاه الذي أطاح بالقاجار واستولى على السلطة، ثم عن النزاع بين الهند وباكستان التي استقلت عنها، وعن كشمير وأفغانستان والجزائر مجددا، ثم عن جمال عبدالناصر والقومية العربية، وأخيرا عن صدام حسين). في الجزء الرابع، يتناول ما أسماه "بالرجوع إلى الإسلام"، حيث بدأ الحديث عن (ثورة الخميني بإيران، والإخوان المسلمين بمصر وحسن البنا وسيد قطب، وعن حزب الله وفتح وحماس، وعن تاريخ الأيغور والإسلام الصيني). وفي الجزء الخامس "الإسلام المحارب"، يتحدث عن (الفلبين وثورة المورو فيها، الصومال، نيجيريا، بن لادن والقاعدة، داعش). وأخيرا، في الخاتمة، يطرح الخلاصة لما فعله أهل الشمال بأهل الجنوب، والنتيجة التي آلت إليها فعالهم، ويحاول أن يوقظ الجهلة من أهل الشمال كي يضعوا أنفسهم مكان أهل الجنوب وليتفهموا ثقافتهم وأفكارهم.
حسين كاظم
٧ أبريل ٢٠٢٠م
January 30, 2018
The subtitle of William Polk’s Crusade and Jihad really grabbed me: “The thousand-year war between the Muslim world and the Global North.” Maybe, I thought, THIS will help me understand the mess in the Middle East, the hatred of Muslims that is not only overt but seemingly encouraged under the current US Administration, and just the weirdness that surrounds religious conflict.
For starters, I am neither a Muslim nor a Christian, so I had not preconceived bias – but early on, I found myself thinking that a few very religious people I know would be reaching for the smelling salts by about the third page. The author’s extensive background (including roles as historian, policy planner, diplomat, peace negotiator, and businessman) and meticulous research are impressive, and the book is his attempt to “lay out in this book, as accurately as I could, what I think is actually so—not what we would like to be so…”
The book is extensively sourced and (be still, my librarian heart!) has an amazing index, so if there is a particular incident, individual, location, or other point of interest in the vast topic of Christian-Muslim history and relations, the reader can get right to it.
And, to be honest, by the time I was about 20% through the book, I had a flashback to 1968, when I was a history major in college, and became seriously depressed by my realization that history was just tales of who killed whom over and over, and that we were probably completely doomed – so I did what any disillusioned 19-year-old would do: I dropped out, got married, and read fiction for a few years. This book has MORE than enough detail for anyone with an interest in history, and I was woefully ignorant about MOST of what I learned while reading Crusade and Jihad. It’s not an easy read, but it is THOROUGH.
Although I had been a history major in college for a few years back in the 60’s, my retention was faulty enough that I only was vaguely aware of the history of Islam: I knew that after its beginning, Islam spread across North Africa into Europe, had a caliphate in medieval Spain, and was actually the “bright light in a European Dark Age.” But there was so much I didn’t know, and I had such huge gaps in awareness of the thousand years of battle. Polk labels the opposing sides as the “Global North and South,” and his book includes everything: Russian’s wars in the Caucasian Mountains, the Moro Rebellion, French rule in Algeria, the creation and rise of Hezbollah, and more, right up to Boko Haram, the Islamic State, the Taliban, and the ongoing disaster in Afghanistan.
Despite having spread throughout the Middle East, Africa, and into Southeast Asia, Islamic civilization (the Global South) began a decline at he same time that Europe (the Global North) began its overseas expansion. The Portuguese, Dutch, English, and Russians all participated in the defeat of Muslims, leading the conquered people to go so far as to try embracing Western concepts of dress, ideas, and armies. Then the 19th Century was basically a century-long assault of Muslims – from what seems like all sides. And finally we get to more recent history, where things have just totally convulsed in too many ways (for me) to comprehend.
TBH, it was too much for me, and while I really wanted to know more, perhaps not THIS much more. At the end of the book, what really had an impact was Polk’s frank discussion of the blindness many of us experience as we struggle to understand the hatred on both sides. One line really resonated with me: “An American newspaper editor once said that a dogfight on Main Street is more important than a war in a distant country.” America First, indeed. Very sad.
I suggested to a friend that they read the first 15-20% than move to the summary chapters, and skim the index to find any specific areas of interest. I don’t know many people who could really deal with the density and detail in this book.
But it is awesome, and I appreciate the opportunity to read this incredible book -- thanks to Yale University Press and NetGalley – in exchange for my honest review. Five huge stars.
For starters, I am neither a Muslim nor a Christian, so I had not preconceived bias – but early on, I found myself thinking that a few very religious people I know would be reaching for the smelling salts by about the third page. The author’s extensive background (including roles as historian, policy planner, diplomat, peace negotiator, and businessman) and meticulous research are impressive, and the book is his attempt to “lay out in this book, as accurately as I could, what I think is actually so—not what we would like to be so…”
The book is extensively sourced and (be still, my librarian heart!) has an amazing index, so if there is a particular incident, individual, location, or other point of interest in the vast topic of Christian-Muslim history and relations, the reader can get right to it.
And, to be honest, by the time I was about 20% through the book, I had a flashback to 1968, when I was a history major in college, and became seriously depressed by my realization that history was just tales of who killed whom over and over, and that we were probably completely doomed – so I did what any disillusioned 19-year-old would do: I dropped out, got married, and read fiction for a few years. This book has MORE than enough detail for anyone with an interest in history, and I was woefully ignorant about MOST of what I learned while reading Crusade and Jihad. It’s not an easy read, but it is THOROUGH.
Although I had been a history major in college for a few years back in the 60’s, my retention was faulty enough that I only was vaguely aware of the history of Islam: I knew that after its beginning, Islam spread across North Africa into Europe, had a caliphate in medieval Spain, and was actually the “bright light in a European Dark Age.” But there was so much I didn’t know, and I had such huge gaps in awareness of the thousand years of battle. Polk labels the opposing sides as the “Global North and South,” and his book includes everything: Russian’s wars in the Caucasian Mountains, the Moro Rebellion, French rule in Algeria, the creation and rise of Hezbollah, and more, right up to Boko Haram, the Islamic State, the Taliban, and the ongoing disaster in Afghanistan.
Despite having spread throughout the Middle East, Africa, and into Southeast Asia, Islamic civilization (the Global South) began a decline at he same time that Europe (the Global North) began its overseas expansion. The Portuguese, Dutch, English, and Russians all participated in the defeat of Muslims, leading the conquered people to go so far as to try embracing Western concepts of dress, ideas, and armies. Then the 19th Century was basically a century-long assault of Muslims – from what seems like all sides. And finally we get to more recent history, where things have just totally convulsed in too many ways (for me) to comprehend.
TBH, it was too much for me, and while I really wanted to know more, perhaps not THIS much more. At the end of the book, what really had an impact was Polk’s frank discussion of the blindness many of us experience as we struggle to understand the hatred on both sides. One line really resonated with me: “An American newspaper editor once said that a dogfight on Main Street is more important than a war in a distant country.” America First, indeed. Very sad.
I suggested to a friend that they read the first 15-20% than move to the summary chapters, and skim the index to find any specific areas of interest. I don’t know many people who could really deal with the density and detail in this book.
But it is awesome, and I appreciate the opportunity to read this incredible book -- thanks to Yale University Press and NetGalley – in exchange for my honest review. Five huge stars.
May 25, 2018
Actually probably closer to 3.5* - lots to take from it as an overview history, but was put off by Part I due to consistently frequent mistakes in the history, or just plain good ol orientalism. Part II and III are much better and actually well worth going through.
July 30, 2020
الكتاب يتحدث عن فترة الإستعمار ومابعده وليس كما يُظن من عنوانه انه يتحدث عن صراع الصليبيين والمسلمين منذ بدايته ، انصح بقرأته للإطلاع على صراع الغرب والمسلمين من بداية الإستعمار حتى عصرنا الحالي، وضع المؤلف لكل دولة إسلامية تم إستعمارها فصل يذكر فيه بعضاً من تاريخها وقصة دخول الإسلام
فيها وقصة غزو القوى الإستعمارية لها والجرائم التي ارتكبتها ايدي المستعمرين ومقاومة شعبها للإستعمار وابرز شخصيات وقادة المقاومة ، كتاب جيد وأنصح بقرأته
فيها وقصة غزو القوى الإستعمارية لها والجرائم التي ارتكبتها ايدي المستعمرين ومقاومة شعبها للإستعمار وابرز شخصيات وقادة المقاومة ، كتاب جيد وأنصح بقرأته
February 3, 2018
This is strictly academic in both tone and content - so set aside quite some time to absorb the information to hand and be prepared to be in for the long haul.
Polk's book begins, quite naturally, with the advent of Islam, it development, its spread and its metamorphosis into its current, sometimes militaristic, form we see today. As Islam came into contact and conflict with the imperialistic powers of the West, Polk shows how this heavily impacted Muslim culture and society, and how hostility fermented over the ages. Polk doesn't confined himself to just the European field, but takes on a global view.
"A sobering, scrupulous, and frank account of imperialism, colonialism, insurgency, and terrorism ..."
Polk's book begins, quite naturally, with the advent of Islam, it development, its spread and its metamorphosis into its current, sometimes militaristic, form we see today. As Islam came into contact and conflict with the imperialistic powers of the West, Polk shows how this heavily impacted Muslim culture and society, and how hostility fermented over the ages. Polk doesn't confined himself to just the European field, but takes on a global view.
"A sobering, scrupulous, and frank account of imperialism, colonialism, insurgency, and terrorism ..."
March 25, 2018
I was lucky enough to get a free copy via Netgalley for a true and honest opinion.
This was a interesting read and perfect for those historian buffs! It is a quite a heavy read and it took me ages to finally finish it.
This book starts from pre-Islaic period, then to start of Islam, focusing on Muhammad (PBUH) and all the way to our present time. As you can tell, that is A LOT of history to get through, considering how many countries, events, people the author has to go through.
I don't think this book is good for beginners but probably someone who has a sound understanding, as it does get a bit confusing.
Overall, it was good and I would recommend it.
This was a interesting read and perfect for those historian buffs! It is a quite a heavy read and it took me ages to finally finish it.
This book starts from pre-Islaic period, then to start of Islam, focusing on Muhammad (PBUH) and all the way to our present time. As you can tell, that is A LOT of history to get through, considering how many countries, events, people the author has to go through.
I don't think this book is good for beginners but probably someone who has a sound understanding, as it does get a bit confusing.
Overall, it was good and I would recommend it.
February 22, 2025
A Must Be Read Book
This book brings into perspective the past 300 years' world history of colonialism and imperialism and how it shaped and is still shaping our world today.
This book brings into perspective the past 300 years' world history of colonialism and imperialism and how it shaped and is still shaping our world today.
February 19, 2018
In this book Mr. Polk has crafted an overview of the interactions between to great civilization: the "North," including Europe, the US, and, to a degree China and Japan. The other civilization, the "South," in the context of this work is the broader Islamic world, stretching from Morocco and Nigeria to Xinjiang and the Philippines. His aim is to show the interactions between these to "peoples" on a global scale. While this approach could easily have turned into a series of generalizations, Polk is clear that these areas encompass a wide range of cultures. What Polk focuses on are interactions between various countries both within and without these regions.
While Polk covers more or less the whole history of interaction between the North and South (Muhammad, the Ummayids, Abbasids, Fatimids, the Crusades, the Ottomans, etc) the real meat of the work is the colonial and post-colonial periods. He covers how the Europeans colonized, how their colonial subjects responded to imperialism, and the impact that said imperialism had on the post-colonial states and peoples. This is a very wide ranging book, covering such diverse topics as the Uiyghurs in China, the Dutch in Java, and Napolean in Egypt. For the most part Mr. Polk seems quite knowledgeable on these subjects. However, there are a few errors like referring to Sikhs as Hindus (he did rectify this error a couple hundred pages later) or referring to Peter the Her it's "People's Crusade" as the "Children's Crusade." Since I received an advance copy of this book through Netgalley these errors may have been corrected in the finished edition. While they did give me pause, they did little to distract from the overall narrative.
Due to the nature of the work, covering a vast range of geography and time periods, there is a fair amount of jumping from one location or year to another locale in another century. These jumps generally fit the theme of that section of the book, and Mr. Polk is generally good at reminding the reader of who is doing what. There is a fair amount of repetition but this generally works in the book's favor, refreshing the reader's memory, or driving home a point.
There is a fair amount of personal experience injected in this work. Mr. Polk has spent half a century either studying or engaging with the two regions and it shows in his work. He will periodically bring up a conversation he had with Nasser or an Algerian resistance leader, and these generally complement what he is discussing in that chapter. While this first hand experience could easily compromise the integrity of the work, he is quite clear when he is offering his personal views on a topic, frankly admitting that they are his own views. Whether one sees this as a detriment or benefit, I preferred the frank approach.
All in all, this was a very enjoyable and informative work. In spite of some errors and the author seeping his own history in (at least in a more open fashion than many authors) the book does an excellent job at covering the multitude of interactions between the North and South, and how important understanding their history is to comprehending the modern world.
While Polk covers more or less the whole history of interaction between the North and South (Muhammad, the Ummayids, Abbasids, Fatimids, the Crusades, the Ottomans, etc) the real meat of the work is the colonial and post-colonial periods. He covers how the Europeans colonized, how their colonial subjects responded to imperialism, and the impact that said imperialism had on the post-colonial states and peoples. This is a very wide ranging book, covering such diverse topics as the Uiyghurs in China, the Dutch in Java, and Napolean in Egypt. For the most part Mr. Polk seems quite knowledgeable on these subjects. However, there are a few errors like referring to Sikhs as Hindus (he did rectify this error a couple hundred pages later) or referring to Peter the Her it's "People's Crusade" as the "Children's Crusade." Since I received an advance copy of this book through Netgalley these errors may have been corrected in the finished edition. While they did give me pause, they did little to distract from the overall narrative.
Due to the nature of the work, covering a vast range of geography and time periods, there is a fair amount of jumping from one location or year to another locale in another century. These jumps generally fit the theme of that section of the book, and Mr. Polk is generally good at reminding the reader of who is doing what. There is a fair amount of repetition but this generally works in the book's favor, refreshing the reader's memory, or driving home a point.
There is a fair amount of personal experience injected in this work. Mr. Polk has spent half a century either studying or engaging with the two regions and it shows in his work. He will periodically bring up a conversation he had with Nasser or an Algerian resistance leader, and these generally complement what he is discussing in that chapter. While this first hand experience could easily compromise the integrity of the work, he is quite clear when he is offering his personal views on a topic, frankly admitting that they are his own views. Whether one sees this as a detriment or benefit, I preferred the frank approach.
All in all, this was a very enjoyable and informative work. In spite of some errors and the author seeping his own history in (at least in a more open fashion than many authors) the book does an excellent job at covering the multitude of interactions between the North and South, and how important understanding their history is to comprehending the modern world.
June 30, 2021
(Note: I received an advanced electronic copy of this book courtesy of NetGalley)
Polk has created a work that is nothing short of impressive. It’s exhaustive in its reach and comprehensive in its individual coverage of every clash and struggle between what he labels the Global North and South, including everything from Russian’s wars in the Caucasian Mountains, French rule in Algeria, the Moro Rebellion, the creation and rise of Hezbollah, all the way up to Boko Haram and the Islamic State. In short, if it’s something that can possibly viewed under the umbrella of the clash between any part of the Islamic World and the various imperial powers (Europe, Russia, China, the US) that have tried to impose upon it, it can be found here.
The author has years upon years of experience with the Muslim world and a multitude of achievements attached to his work there, and it shows in the best way imaginable. Despite the enormous breadth of information encompassed in this book, never ever once did I feel anything close to swamped by it all. Its organization and the clarity of writing prevented any sensation of knowledge inundation, and kept me intellectually enraptured on a journey across the globe and through the centuries.
It is of this reader’s opinion that “Crusade and Jihad” deserves to be the new go-to reference resource for anyone who looks upon any of the tensions, malaise, tyrannical regimes, chaos or fighting that can be found across the Muslim world and wonders how it all got to this point. Polk provides the perfect background guide to all of those who wish to break out of their shell of comfort and complacency and understand more about the longstanding confrontation between "Global North" and "Global South."
Polk has created a work that is nothing short of impressive. It’s exhaustive in its reach and comprehensive in its individual coverage of every clash and struggle between what he labels the Global North and South, including everything from Russian’s wars in the Caucasian Mountains, French rule in Algeria, the Moro Rebellion, the creation and rise of Hezbollah, all the way up to Boko Haram and the Islamic State. In short, if it’s something that can possibly viewed under the umbrella of the clash between any part of the Islamic World and the various imperial powers (Europe, Russia, China, the US) that have tried to impose upon it, it can be found here.
The author has years upon years of experience with the Muslim world and a multitude of achievements attached to his work there, and it shows in the best way imaginable. Despite the enormous breadth of information encompassed in this book, never ever once did I feel anything close to swamped by it all. Its organization and the clarity of writing prevented any sensation of knowledge inundation, and kept me intellectually enraptured on a journey across the globe and through the centuries.
It is of this reader’s opinion that “Crusade and Jihad” deserves to be the new go-to reference resource for anyone who looks upon any of the tensions, malaise, tyrannical regimes, chaos or fighting that can be found across the Muslim world and wonders how it all got to this point. Polk provides the perfect background guide to all of those who wish to break out of their shell of comfort and complacency and understand more about the longstanding confrontation between "Global North" and "Global South."
February 28, 2018
A better tittle for the book may be two hundred years of Western Imperialism in the Muslim. As such it is an effective but too long a book.
Particularly for us in the US, it is hard for us to imagine how much of the world Europe colonized. Much of the modern Middle East is a British creation. Egypt in the nineteenth century had been occupied by both the British and the French who looked down on the native population and were very brutal. The strongest part of this book deals with Western colonialism in the Middle East.
The book is too large. It should have just focused on the Middle East. Instead it deals the entire Muslim world which is very large and consists of many different cultures. I ended up skipping over the pages that dealt with Muslims in China and the Philippines. It seemed liked a subject matter for a different book.
Though the book is written in an academic style it is a relative easy read for a book written in this style. Many books written in an academic style are totally unappealing to a lay reader.
It is disappointing that the book does not go inter the full Thousand-year history of contact between the Muslim and Christian world. It still seems to matter to moderns. The author does go into Western Crusades which were very bloody. However, I thought the author did not discuss enough whether the Muslims would have invaded Europe if they could.
The book is written sympathetically towards the Muslims. It did provide me with a greater understanding of the Middle East. However, sometimes one wonders if the author does glosses over many of the internal difficulties of the modern Muslim world.
Particularly for us in the US, it is hard for us to imagine how much of the world Europe colonized. Much of the modern Middle East is a British creation. Egypt in the nineteenth century had been occupied by both the British and the French who looked down on the native population and were very brutal. The strongest part of this book deals with Western colonialism in the Middle East.
The book is too large. It should have just focused on the Middle East. Instead it deals the entire Muslim world which is very large and consists of many different cultures. I ended up skipping over the pages that dealt with Muslims in China and the Philippines. It seemed liked a subject matter for a different book.
Though the book is written in an academic style it is a relative easy read for a book written in this style. Many books written in an academic style are totally unappealing to a lay reader.
It is disappointing that the book does not go inter the full Thousand-year history of contact between the Muslim and Christian world. It still seems to matter to moderns. The author does go into Western Crusades which were very bloody. However, I thought the author did not discuss enough whether the Muslims would have invaded Europe if they could.
The book is written sympathetically towards the Muslims. It did provide me with a greater understanding of the Middle East. However, sometimes one wonders if the author does glosses over many of the internal difficulties of the modern Muslim world.
April 13, 2018
In spite of the title, there is - I think - only one sentence in the entire book that addresses what we would usually think of as the 'Crusades'. A more accurate name would probably be 'Imperialism and Jihad'. The story told in this book is that of European colonialism and its consequences. More specifically, it charts the path of the Muslim world, from its halcyon days as the cultural and scientific centre of the world, to its current state gripped in tyranny, terrorism, poverty and insecurity.
I think the book achieved marvellously at what it set out to achieve, which is a panoramic view of this story - covering the whole span of "North-South" interactions across a grand temporal and geogaphical scale. What shines through most prominently is the author's appreciation and understanding of the various cultures he addresses - he occasionally mixes in episodes from his half-century career in foreign policy, chatting with this or that political figure, or visiting this or that Afghan tribe before the Soviet invasion.
If you are not familiar with many of the time periods and conflicts he described (as was my case), do not expect to gain any kind of detailed knowledge of them - the scope of this work was such that, even in 533 pages, he manages to treat each of these cases only very superficially. Still, this was a great primer to what is an extremely interesting topic - and a fantastic distraction from my exam revision.
I think the book achieved marvellously at what it set out to achieve, which is a panoramic view of this story - covering the whole span of "North-South" interactions across a grand temporal and geogaphical scale. What shines through most prominently is the author's appreciation and understanding of the various cultures he addresses - he occasionally mixes in episodes from his half-century career in foreign policy, chatting with this or that political figure, or visiting this or that Afghan tribe before the Soviet invasion.
If you are not familiar with many of the time periods and conflicts he described (as was my case), do not expect to gain any kind of detailed knowledge of them - the scope of this work was such that, even in 533 pages, he manages to treat each of these cases only very superficially. Still, this was a great primer to what is an extremely interesting topic - and a fantastic distraction from my exam revision.
May 28, 2020
يتَّسِم الكاتب بالموضوعية في طرح الموضوع بغض النظر عن اتفاقنا او إختلافنا معه ، فلكي نفهم ونستوعب ما يحدث اليوم في عالمنا من صراعات وتخاطب فيما بيننا بلغة السلاح والكراهية والحقد والعنصرية علينا ان نرجع إلى الوراء لنفهم ونستوعب دروس التاريخ البعيد.
ولكن السؤال الذي يطرح نفسه هو هل سنكون صادقين مع أنفسنا ويعترف كلٍ منا بأخطاء من سبقوه و يحاول بكل شجاعة وصدق أن يصحح تلك الأخطاء أم سنظل مثل البراهمة العميان أحدنا ممسك بخرطوم الفيل والأخر بذيله وكلٍ واثق أنه على صواب والأخر على خطأ؟.
وهنا بعض الاقتباسات من الكتاب :-
"خلال المئتي سنة الأخيرة، كان العالَم العربي مُعَرَّضَاً للمَذلة والقَمع. وربما تَصَلَّبَت المَذَلَّة في روح كل طفل وفتاة عربية أكثر من القَمع. أُعجِبَ العالَمُ كله ذات مرة بالحضارة العربية وعلوم العرب، فخلال عصور الظلام الأوروبية ذُهِلَ الغربيون البرابرةُ بالثقافة الإسلامية. لا يَستطيع شابٌ عربي أن يَتَجنَّبَ مقارنةَ عظمة ماضي الخلافة بسوء الواقع العربي المعاصر، الفقر والتخلف والضعف السياسي... هناك خزانٌ هائل مِنَ القهر يتصاعد في العالَم العربي لا تَراه ولا تُلاحظه القوى الغربية"754.
" كان على الرجل الأبيض أن يُبَدِّلَ ثقافة ومؤسسات شعب الجنوب العالمي الدَّاكن اللون لأنها تُعيقُ التَّحضُّر والتَّقدم. وإذا قاوَمَ الجنوبيون، يجب إجبارهم على قبول تنفيذ الأمر. كانت مهمة الأمبرياليين سهلةً بشكل عام. يَستطيعون أن يُطَبِّقوا مبدأ "فَرِّقْ تَسُدْ"، ويَستطيعون الرشوة والإغراء، وكانت لديهم الإدارة والمَهارة مثلما سَخِرَتْ رسائلُ الكاتب الإنكيزي-الفرنسي Hilaire Belloc "مهما حَدَثَ، فلدينا مدفَع مكسيم الرشاش الذي ليس لديهم".
" لا تُثير تقارير مَوت آلاف مِنَ الناس في الجنوب العالمي انتباهَنا كثيراً، بينما نَعتَبر مَوتَ فردٍ واحدٍ في الشمال العالمي مأساة. أعتَقِدُ بأنه ما لم نَعتَبر كلا الحادثتين مأساةً فلن نَجِدَ السلام ولا الأمن ".
ولكن السؤال الذي يطرح نفسه هو هل سنكون صادقين مع أنفسنا ويعترف كلٍ منا بأخطاء من سبقوه و يحاول بكل شجاعة وصدق أن يصحح تلك الأخطاء أم سنظل مثل البراهمة العميان أحدنا ممسك بخرطوم الفيل والأخر بذيله وكلٍ واثق أنه على صواب والأخر على خطأ؟.
وهنا بعض الاقتباسات من الكتاب :-
"خلال المئتي سنة الأخيرة، كان العالَم العربي مُعَرَّضَاً للمَذلة والقَمع. وربما تَصَلَّبَت المَذَلَّة في روح كل طفل وفتاة عربية أكثر من القَمع. أُعجِبَ العالَمُ كله ذات مرة بالحضارة العربية وعلوم العرب، فخلال عصور الظلام الأوروبية ذُهِلَ الغربيون البرابرةُ بالثقافة الإسلامية. لا يَستطيع شابٌ عربي أن يَتَجنَّبَ مقارنةَ عظمة ماضي الخلافة بسوء الواقع العربي المعاصر، الفقر والتخلف والضعف السياسي... هناك خزانٌ هائل مِنَ القهر يتصاعد في العالَم العربي لا تَراه ولا تُلاحظه القوى الغربية"754.
" كان على الرجل الأبيض أن يُبَدِّلَ ثقافة ومؤسسات شعب الجنوب العالمي الدَّاكن اللون لأنها تُعيقُ التَّحضُّر والتَّقدم. وإذا قاوَمَ الجنوبيون، يجب إجبارهم على قبول تنفيذ الأمر. كانت مهمة الأمبرياليين سهلةً بشكل عام. يَستطيعون أن يُطَبِّقوا مبدأ "فَرِّقْ تَسُدْ"، ويَستطيعون الرشوة والإغراء، وكانت لديهم الإدارة والمَهارة مثلما سَخِرَتْ رسائلُ الكاتب الإنكيزي-الفرنسي Hilaire Belloc "مهما حَدَثَ، فلدينا مدفَع مكسيم الرشاش الذي ليس لديهم".
" لا تُثير تقارير مَوت آلاف مِنَ الناس في الجنوب العالمي انتباهَنا كثيراً، بينما نَعتَبر مَوتَ فردٍ واحدٍ في الشمال العالمي مأساة. أعتَقِدُ بأنه ما لم نَعتَبر كلا الحادثتين مأساةً فلن نَجِدَ السلام ولا الأمن ".
January 5, 2023
I would give it 2.5 stars if I could.
The author tries to cram a large timescale into a single book, and as a result each section is pretty light on details or nuance. This is particularly notable in the pre-Imperial phase which, for some reason, the author dedicates far less of the book to than you might expect given that it accounts for a larger period of time than that which comes after. As a result, despite the title, the crusades themselves make only a fleeting appearance.
Incredibly for a book written so recently by lifelong historian, the author still confuses "England" with the "United Kingdom" and "English" with "British", sometimes even in the very same sentence.
There are also some bizarre factual errors, that leave even us amateurs wondering how the book could have been published without being adequately fact checked first. One example is stating that Ceuta in north Africa remains a Portuguese colony to this day, despite the fact that it is a Spanish colony, and has been for over 300 years. Another is attributing the "warts and all" quote to the Duke of Wellington instead of Oliver Cromwell.
For anyone who has read very little on imperial history or Arab and/or muslim history, this book might be quite a good place to start. For those that have already a reasonable grounding, it's a useful reference book but otherwise might leave you feeling somewhat unsatisfied.
The author tries to cram a large timescale into a single book, and as a result each section is pretty light on details or nuance. This is particularly notable in the pre-Imperial phase which, for some reason, the author dedicates far less of the book to than you might expect given that it accounts for a larger period of time than that which comes after. As a result, despite the title, the crusades themselves make only a fleeting appearance.
Incredibly for a book written so recently by lifelong historian, the author still confuses "England" with the "United Kingdom" and "English" with "British", sometimes even in the very same sentence.
There are also some bizarre factual errors, that leave even us amateurs wondering how the book could have been published without being adequately fact checked first. One example is stating that Ceuta in north Africa remains a Portuguese colony to this day, despite the fact that it is a Spanish colony, and has been for over 300 years. Another is attributing the "warts and all" quote to the Duke of Wellington instead of Oliver Cromwell.
For anyone who has read very little on imperial history or Arab and/or muslim history, this book might be quite a good place to start. For those that have already a reasonable grounding, it's a useful reference book but otherwise might leave you feeling somewhat unsatisfied.
January 27, 2019
Good book about the history of conflicts between the global North and Muslims. This book present in great detail why Muslims hate Western super-powers so much and why some join terrorist groups: it is because of imperialism. Western countries, Russia and China have since 1500 wiped out and humiliated entire Muslim nations. Muslim have tried to gain their freedom by various non-islamic means, but they all failed. Jihadism is only the last desperate attempt to gain freedom and independence from Northern hegemony. Biggest problem with this book is that is too long. The author explores every Muslim country and its political, social and religious history, to show how similar their fates have been, making it a little boring to read the same point being hammered down numerous times. Still this is a great book, with a great message about learning abut different cultures to try to heal the great divide between the global North and the Muslim world.
January 3, 2019
This monstrous book includes a comprehensive analysis of the colonial and post-colonial states in Asia and Africa... it does an incredible job at contextualizing multiple uprisings, and connecting them together. Fascinating stuff!
July 24, 2022
كتاب عبقري و سلس و رائع..كم رهيب من المعلومات باسلوب شيق و مثير ..الكاتب الى حد كبير معتدل و غير متعصب و الى حد كبير مشفق على العالم الاسلامي...من اكثر الكتب المفيده الممتعه في الفترة الاخيره و انصح جدا بقراءته
October 21, 2020
A MUST read book for anyone who wants to utter a word about Middle East and/or Europe.
April 30, 2021
عل�� هذا الكتاب أن يدرس في حصص التاريخ
June 20, 2021
An important book
A starting point to address the global insecurity problem
A starting point to address the global insecurity problem
February 28, 2022
finished this a few days ago, it was quite insightful!
January 18, 2025
very informative and comprehensive for an introduction, quite well written too
September 20, 2025
ملخص عن الاستعمار والامبريالية الشمالية ضد الجنوب المتخلف من وجهة نظرغربية
April 25, 2020
Great thanks
August 21, 2018
Crusade and Jihad
The Thousand-Year War Between the Muslim World and the Global North
By William R. Polk
Source Netgalley
Publication date 9th January 2018
Polk has reported from many global hotspots during the course of his career. This book is his attempt to begin to put the pieces together. He explores the relationship between the ‘Muslim East’ and the ‘Christian West’. From the Moguls to the modern day, it spans the Muslim/Arab world; from Africa to the ‘Middle East’, from China to Europe, and all stops in between. It looks at this history in order to explain the present day. Polk looks at the tensions that exist between ‘East and West’, analysing the horrors of colonialism and the seeds of today’s terrorism, The book explores the origins of many of today’s most active terrorist organisations. This is a long book, a hard read that may intimidate the casual reader, but it's worth the effort.
The Thousand-Year War Between the Muslim World and the Global North
By William R. Polk
Source Netgalley
Publication date 9th January 2018
Polk has reported from many global hotspots during the course of his career. This book is his attempt to begin to put the pieces together. He explores the relationship between the ‘Muslim East’ and the ‘Christian West’. From the Moguls to the modern day, it spans the Muslim/Arab world; from Africa to the ‘Middle East’, from China to Europe, and all stops in between. It looks at this history in order to explain the present day. Polk looks at the tensions that exist between ‘East and West’, analysing the horrors of colonialism and the seeds of today’s terrorism, The book explores the origins of many of today’s most active terrorist organisations. This is a long book, a hard read that may intimidate the casual reader, but it's worth the effort.
November 21, 2018
William Polk gives a fascinating, and sometimes uncomfortable, insight into the major cultural, racial and religious origins of the wars between the North and Islam,
It is very well researched, and covers a massive amount of Islamic history in virtually all parts of the world. The book also alludes to the fact that most Muslims are not aligned or united in their chosen religion, Hence the dreadful bloodshed between the various Islamic sects. The various Colonial countries certainly exacerbated the various conflicts, but the book was not totally convincing that all the blame can be laid at the door of the North.
Polk clearly is a respected expert in his field, and gathers together a wide range of fascinating and disturbing historical events.
It is very well researched, and covers a massive amount of Islamic history in virtually all parts of the world. The book also alludes to the fact that most Muslims are not aligned or united in their chosen religion, Hence the dreadful bloodshed between the various Islamic sects. The various Colonial countries certainly exacerbated the various conflicts, but the book was not totally convincing that all the blame can be laid at the door of the North.
Polk clearly is a respected expert in his field, and gathers together a wide range of fascinating and disturbing historical events.
gave-up-on
May 30, 2019Too busy to finish this book
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