The Dome of the Rock; the beautiful Muslim shrine in the walled Old City of Jerusalem; was fully restored to its original state in the last half-century. Thus; this structure; sited on the third holiest spot on earth for Muslims; is at once a product of the seventh century and almost entirely the work of our own times--a paradox in keeping with the complexities and contradictions of history and religion; architecture and ideology that define this site.This book tells the story of the Dome of the Rock; from the first fateful decades of its creation--on the esplanade built in the fourth decade B.C.E. for the Second Jewish Temple--to its engulfment in the clashes of the Crusades and the short-lived Christianization of all of Jerusalem; to its modern acquisition of different and potent meanings for Muslim; Christian; and Jewish cultures.Oleg Grabar's presentation combines what we know of the building with the views of past observers and with the broader historical; cultural; and aesthetic implications of the monument. Primarily it is as a work of art that the Dome of the Rock stands out from these pages; understood for the quality that allows it to transcend the constrictions of period and perhaps even those of faith and culture. Finally; Grabar grapples with the question this monumental work of art so eloquently poses: whether the pious requirements of a specific community can be reconciled with universal aesthetic values.
#363465 in Books Harvard University Press 2003-04-30 2003-01-06Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.28 x .90 x 6.20l; 1.08 #File Name: 0674011171336 pages
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Seeing History through the Eyes of OthersBy Frank BellizziIn this book; Daniel Richter explores some of the history of Native Americans who lived east of the Mississippi; from the time of their "discovery of Europe" not long after 1492 to the early 1800s. Throughout; he attempts to reconstruct something of what this period was like; not for Europeans and their descendants (who were facing west; as it were); but for Indians (who were facing east). In order to get at his subject; Richter routinely attempts to read between the lines of texts produced by Euro-Americans. In addition; he exploits the findings of archaeology and listens to folklore; which sometimes lends support to unconfirmed readings of the other sorts of evidence.In Chapter 1; Richter unfolds some of the initial stories related to the expeditions of Hernando de Soto and visits of Jacques Cartier. Chapter 2 details the economic; ecological; and biological ramifications of the Indians' contact with Europeans. In Chapter 3; Richter; while facing east; takes up the biographies of Pocahontas; Kateri Tekakwitha; and "King Philip." Chapter 4 explores a methodological question that is basic to his approach: How should historians read and interpret documents in order to get at the thoughts; interests; and motivations of Indians? In Chapter 5; while following a chronological progression; Richter now enters the eighteenth century; imagining the view from the east of an Atlantic Imperial World. Coming into the era of the American Revolution and its aftermath; Chapter 6 focuses on the year 1763; the time of Pontiac's Rebellion and Paxton Boys affair. That date and those events; says Richter; marked the end of a long era when Native- and Euro-American power was much more balanced. The Epilogue takes its title from a historical lecture delivered by "William Apess; a Pequot": Eulogy on King Philip. Here; Richter cites this nineteenth century lecture; which compares favorably King Philip to George Washington; and the Indians' cause to the American Revolution; as an early example of facing east.There are at least two reasons why some readers may not like this book. First; although the research behind it is impeccable; its method is exploratory; experimental. Nowhere does Richter pretend to give the final word about anything he's discussing. This isn't straight performance of a long; classic piece. It's more like several short pieces of jazz. Second; what seems clear to me is that the chapters of this book were written at different times; with breaks in between. Consequently; the chapters; though closely related; read like a series of stand-alone explorations.I gave this book five stars because; as I see it; this is the work of a disciplined historian who does not shy away from the creative; imaginative character of his craft. Facing East from Indian Country is the product of hard work and a bit of courage. I can't help admiring that.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. The author provided an excellent description of how the American Indians responded to and ...By JPThe author provided an excellent description of how the American Indians responded to and interacted with Europeans as the Europeans continued their westward push across the North American continent. Two other books that covers some of the same topics are "1491" and "1493". Much of what you will find in these books are not currently being taught in schools. These three books changed my understanding of American and world history.8 of 8 people found the following review helpful. Informative and analyticalBy K. ShoopMr. Richter does a fine job of deftly parsing small bits of information to imagine the Indian American's point of view. I was rather expecting an I-hate-America diatribe; but that's not at all what this is. It DOES show that between the clash of cultures in North America; the natives were much more adept to adapting (because they had no choice) than were the Europeans. And adapt they did; somewhat successfully until the war of Independence was fought between the US and Britian. After that; well; there were so many indefensible acts by the new US that it came down to "civilize-or-die" to the natives. Even those that did civilize were not safe; being punished by vigilantes for 'outrages' by other Indians - not even of the same linguistic group.Those few who understood the complicated culture of the natives were by and large ignored; while small bands of cunning Indians would sell land that wasn't even theirs.Sometimes it is said that there's enough blame to go around; if by that it's meant that because all Natives were not "Good Injuns" we should exterminate those who refuse to be deported; well okay.Some say slavery was the darkest blot on our history; I believe it was the lies; broken treaties; forced removals; genocide and outright stealing of land that is that darkest chapter.Read also Eve Ball's "indeh"; and Britton Davis' "The Truth About Geronimo."
