History of Islam in Africa

by Nehemia& Pouwel Randall (Eds.) Levtzion

The history of the Islamic faith in Africa spans fourteen centuries. This book provides a detailed mapping of the cultural, political, geographic and religious past of Islam in a single volume. North America: Ohio U Press

Genres: History, Islam, Africa, Religion, Nonfiction, African Literature

Paperback

First published January 28, 2000

Reviews

[Nick]

At a certain point I realized that I had read 200 pages and they had made little impression on me, that is a sad realization for what I do consider to be factually a good book. Content wise I would easily give the book a 3 star rating yet it was written in such a dry un-immersive style that I would feel bad about it.

You know what the problem is with big history books that try to tell a one 1000 years history of an important aspect of a continent? You either end up with an immersive yet flawed story that glues it together or you get a dry book of facts that fail to be memorable. This book falls in the second category. We jump around time and place so much that it makes your head spin. When I read about the Sokoto caliphate I want to know what it meant, what made it feel, what was it's role yet this book and contributions focus mostly on what happened step by step so we can round up in modern times. Very few authors make reflections on what certain aspects of the history they tell meant or if they did it was on the side.

To be fair I am the one to blame here, this book is meant to be a starting book for anyone studying the subject not a go to book for interested readers even if they have an interest and background in historical research or study. I do admit the chapters that were thematic and less chronologically oriented were a lot more fun to read and did make an impression on me and made me reflect on the subject unlike the previous ones. Having said that, it is clear the authors and editors really communicated whit one another for it feels like a whole and not a collection of contributions glued as one. Perhaps that is also the reason it is so dry and lacks a big underlying message.

In conclusion I would not bother picking up a copy if you want an immersive book, yet if you need facts and lot's of them on the regions and subjects of this book, go for it!

[Zahrah Awaleh]

Good, doorstep of a book, comprehensive and very eclectic.

[AskHistorians]

The standard for most classes about Islam in Africa. Broken into sections discussing West Africa and East Africa, and finally discussing general themes by subject. Levtzion writes this after nearly 40 years of study of Islam in Africa.

[Hildegart]

One big, fat book on the history of Islam in Africa. It can be dry at times, but it is extremely informative.

[Bubba]

good articles on the spread of Islam in East Africa and the Horn of Africa, Islamic law and Sufism.