Beenish Rasheed’s Reviews > Islamic History: A Very Short Introduction > Status Update

History Is a treasure trove in which desirable things are to be found.

History is written by victor's, and these victor's were unencumbered by notions of political correctness.

Various groups of islamic history (Persians, Arabic, Turks) interacted and combined to build something in which they all have significant stake and to which they all contributed, albeit in different ways.

Renaissance would not have happened had the Arabs and their language remained in Arabia.

Islam exists at all is due to events in the 600-800 period. It looks the way it does now is largely due to events in the 800-1100.

In the 9th century Islamic world experienced a paper revolution. Everything was recored on printed form- from pre islamic poetry to science.

The Umayyad's created a somewhat exclusive Arab empire whereas the Abbasid's were consciously cosmopolitan and inclusive, empowering non Arabs.

Caravans were central to the period
s of Abbasid's. They encouraged a level of internationalism, multiculturalism, and inter connectivity that most westerners would associate with modernity.