Kingdoms of faith A new history of Islamic spain

Catlos (religious studies, Univ. of Colorado) examines six specific periods between 700 and 1614 CE. This work is "new" because, among other things, Catlos unpacks historical interpretations that ignore facts or are flawed by religious partisanship, national myth, or imaginative legend. Important figures in this study include Abd al-Rahman III of Cordoba, who assumed the title of caliph in 929--a title his heirs continued to hold until 1031. Readers may become lost during Catlos's discussions of significant political leaders and their influence, but he anticipates this with an appended listing of rulers. He also includes a glossary for those unfamiliar with critical Islamic and historical terms. Those who know Ottoman history will spot familiar themes in Islamic Spain: rulers at times supported the dominant ulama while tolerating for their own reasons heterodoxy or Sufism. Sultans built armies of slaves to weaken older local elites, and some rulers preserved their clout by murdering brothers, relations, and other rivals. Noteworthy is the author's examination of ethnic and sectarian interactions: Arab-Berber, Muslim-Christian, Muslim-Jewish, Christian-Jewish, etc. Especially instructive for today's world is Catlos's scrutiny of the Reconquista and Inquisition and their negative impact on Spain's Muslims and Jews. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty and professionals. --James Stephen Krysiek, Gettysburg College

In this new history of Islamic Spain, Al-Andalus, Catlos (The Victors and the Vanquished) aims to correct misconceptions of the region from its two common historical narratives. In the first description, Al-Andalus is portrayed as a turbulent land marred by violent, religious conflict; in the second, it's depicted as a tolerant society with a flourishing culture. Catlos demonstrates that Muslim Spain was far more complex. For example, conflicts were not solely based on religion. The people of Al-Andalus also identified by ethnicity, social class, and city. Moreover, those of various faiths cooperated with one another and even intermarried. Violence and cruelty were common, but notably, clashes occurred more frequently among those of the same faith than those with different beliefs. Furthermore, Catlos takes issue with the usual representation of Al-Andalus as the result of a Moorish invasion; he shows that the majority of Muslims in Spain were indigenous converts. Relying on primary sources and considerable recent scholarship from Spain, North Africa, and Europe, he succeeds in producing a lively, engaging history. VERDICT Recommended for readers of Spanish, Islamic, and European history.-Dave Pugl, Ela Area P.L., Lake Zurich, IL © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.