Science in Medieval Islam: An Illustrated Introduction

by Howard R. Turner

During the Golden Age of Islam (seventh through seventeenth centuries A.D.), Muslim philosophers and poets, artists and scientists, princes and laborers created a unique culture that has influenced societies on every continent. This book offers a fully illustrated, highly accessible introduction to an important aspect of that culture—the scientific achievements of medieval Islam. Howard Turner opens with a historical overview of the spread of Islamic civilization from the Arabian peninsula eastward to India and westward across northern Africa into Spain. He describes how a passion for knowledge led the Muslims during their centuries of empire-building to assimilate and expand the scientific knowledge of older cultures, including those of Greece, India, and China. He explores medieval Islamic accomplishments in cosmology, mathematics, astronomy, astrology, geography, medicine, natural sciences, alchemy, and optics. He also indicates the ways in which Muslim scientific achievement influenced the advance of science in the Western world from the Renaissance to the modern era. This survey of historic Muslim scientific achievements offers students and general readers a window into one of the world's great cultures, one which is experiencing a remarkable resurgence as a religious, political, and social force in our own time.

Genres: History, Islam, Science, History Of Science, Nonfiction, Religion

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Did not have what I was looking for, but it was an adequate introduction to someone looking for more general information.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[So Hakim · Rating 3 out of 5]

An adequate, if nontechnical, introduction to science during the Islamic Golden Age. Last two chapters give poignant reflection on the not-always-easy interaction between the West and Muslim world.

True to its title the book has plenty of photos and plates. I personally feel the pages could have been used to explain technical aspect of Muslim achievement. Some "sciencey" coverage would have added appreciation to this era's achievement: including (but not limited to) geometry, optics, and planetary models.

Considered as introduction, the book does well, but just that.

I should say, though: the book is subjected to academic rigor. Indeed the acknowledgement page looks a bit of who's who in History of Islamic Science: A.I. Sabra, David A. King, George Saliba among others.

The three stars, then, is simply about presentation -- which (in my view) could have been done more effectively.

[Mohamad Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

" فالعلم عالمى ليس له عرق او دين "
بهذه العباره الموجزه اختتم الكاتب استعراضه المستفيض لانواع العلوم وكبار رجالها لدى المسلمين
ولسان حاله يقول ان العلم والحضاره بناء كبير
لا يقوم الا بان يكمل احدنا ما بدأه اخيه من قبله
والا لضاعت اعمار حضاراتنا فى تشييد اعشاش صغيره
بدلا من صرح كبير
واظن ان هذا المفهوم هو ما ينقصنا فى حاضرنا كىنستعيد زمام المبادره