Overview

The word Islam means Peace, but for nearly 1,400 years its adherents have waged war—frequently on the grandest and most successful scales in history. This book introduces some of Islam's greatest military figures and analyzes significant events that are shaping the modern world. Nafziger and Walton detail the rich and diverse military histories of dozens of empires, nations, tribes, clans, and peoples. Militant Islamists viewed the events of September 11, 2001, as merely one more step in an ongoing military campaign against the West and the United States. Major events in this ongoing war include the great Arab conquests in the Middle East and the Iberian Peninsula, the Crusades, Muslim India, the Seljuq and Ottoman Empires, naval warfare, colonialism, and the numerous military actions of modern Muslim states. The word Islam means Peace, but for nearly 1,400 years its adherents have waged war—frequently on the grandest and most successful scales in history. This book introduces some of Islam's greatest military figures and analyzes significant events that are shaping the modern world. Nafziger and Walton detail the rich and diverse military histories of dozens of empires, nations, tribes, clans, and peoples. They make a special effort to outline the military history of the Quran and show how Islamic theology justifies military effort. With considerable discussion of the military aspects of terrorism, this overview will provide the general reader with background information and analysis of parts of the world that are likely to remain a battleground for years to come.

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9780275981013

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Reviews

At a time when the issue of whether Islam is a religion of peace continues to provoke debate in the West, this preliminary survey of Islam at war is highly useful. * Multicultural Review * [A]nalysis of the specifics of Muslim military history is lucid and thoughtful. * Publishers Weekly * [P]rovides an analysis ofthe role of war in Islam that is accessible to the average educated reader and in general makes for exciting reading even for someone who is not a military history buff. * Providence: Studies in Western Civilization *

This book is essential reading for anyone seeking a broader foundation of knowledge about Islamic military history and traditions. Military history specialists will find the detailed discussion of the Quran (Koran) enlightening as the authors identify and explain the specific verses calling Muslims to arms. General readers and non-specialists will find the story of Muslim military history to be an absorbing continuum of societies in which war is deeply embedded in social and cultural traditions. Altogether, it is a very readable and clear presentation of a complex and difficult topic. Lt. Col. Edward J. Erickson, US Army (Retired)

Author Information

GEORGE F. NAFZIGER, USNR-Ret., has authored numerous books and articles on the subject of military history. Nafziger is a former Director of the Napoleonic Society of America and the Napoleonic Alliance. He is also owner of The Nafziger Collection, a publishing house specializing in the Napoleonic Wars and World War II history. MARK W. WALTON is an independent researcher. With degrees from Miami University of Ohio and Temple University, he has had a life-long interest in history. He currently lives near Indianapolis. This is his first book.

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