Crusade and jihad
Book Description
In this sweeping historical examination, diplomat and scholar William R. Polk traces the complex spiritual and civilizational encounter between the Islamic world and global powers across more than a millennium. Drawing from his extensive experience in diplomacy and peace negotiation, Polk reveals how profound religious and cultural misunderstandings have shaped centuries of conflict.
The narrative begins with Islam's remarkable expansion across continents, highlighting the sophisticated Islamic civilization that flourished in medieval Spain while Europe experienced its Dark Ages. Polk demonstrates how Islamic culture spread from the Middle East into Africa, India, and Southeast Asia, creating vibrant centers of learning and spiritual practice.
The author then chronicles the devastating impact of European colonial expansion on Muslim societies, from Portuguese dominance in the Indian Ocean to British exploitation of vast territories. He examines how repeated military defeats and cultural assaults led Muslim communities to question their spiritual foundations while attempting to adopt Western approaches to survival.
Polk's analysis extends into the modern era, exploring how the legacy of colonial trauma continues to influence contemporary conflicts. He shows how brutalized societies struggled with independence, often falling into cycles of tyranny and corruption that further damaged their spiritual and social fabric.
For readers seeking to understand the deeper spiritual dimensions of global conflict, this comprehensive work offers essential insights into how religious identity, cultural pride, and historical memory intersect with political power and human suffering.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Long (> 400 pages) (~18 hours)
📄 Length: 632 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore War
- ✓ Explore Religious aspects
- ✓ Explore Islamic countries, history
- ✓ Explore Imperialism
- ✓ Explore World history
- ✓ Explore Arab countries, history
- ✓ Explore Europe, colonies
- ✓ Explore Islamic civilization
