himcang

I cannot help but agree with much of what Armstrong theorizes and would recommend this book to anyone who wants a better understanding of the historical roots of some of the modern conflicts in this area. In the Eleventh and Twelfth Centuries, European Christendom was stumbling and Muslim power was at its impressive height: Christian insecurity and fear of the East (exemplified by the slaughter of European Jews and distrust of Byzantine Christians), more than anything, prompted the Crusades. The effect of the Crusades on the Muslim AND Arab mentality was a pulling in and isolationist movement throughout the Muslim world that broke down the power, wealth, learning, acceptance, and openmindedness that had so characterized the empire while the Dark Ages (illiteracy, disease, hunger, etc.) were ravaging Europe. Armstrong explores little-understood and long-held insecurities on both the West and the Middle East's parts toward each other in the face of today's conflicts.

2022-09-03 19:16