How was violence justified in early Islam? What role did violent actions play in the formation and maintenance of the Muslim political order? How did Muslim thinkers view the origins and acceptability of violence? These questions are addressed by an international range of eminent authors through both general accounts of types of violence and detailed case studies of violent acts drawn from the early Islamic sources. Violence is understood; widely; to include jihad; state repressions and rebellions; and also more personally directed violence against victims (women; animals; children; slaves) and criminals. By understanding the early development of Muslim thinking around violence; our comprehension of subsequent trends in Islamic thought; during the medieval period and up to the modern day; become clearer.
#310242 in Books Osprey Publishing 2016-08-23 2016-08-23Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.89 x .25 x 7.31l; .57 #File Name: 147281543264 pages9781472815439
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. The Barbary Corsairs...By HMS WarspiteThe Barbary Pirates assumed an almost legendary status during their heyday of the 15th through the 17th Centuries; raiding through the length and breath of the Mediterranean Sea; out into the Atlantic Ocean; and even into northern seas around the British Isles and Iceland. The Barbary Pirates operated out of a string of fortified sea ports in Muslim North Africa. Their objectives were Christian slaves and treasure; and they were remarkably successful. This short book provides some depth to their story."The Barbary Pirates 15th-17th Centuries" is an Osprey Elite Series book; authored by Angus Konstam; with illustrations by Gerry Embleton. The introduction makes the point that the Barbary pirates were really privateers or corsairs; sailing under the equivalent of Letters of Marque from the rulers of the various Barbary states. There is a brief introduction built around the Islamic conquest of North African and the long war between Christians and Muslims for control of the Mediterranean. The heart of the narrative is the description of the Barbary states; their ships; the pirates; and their tactics. This book is concise at under 65 pages; but there is lots of detail about the various vessels used by the pirates. The illustrations provide the best surviving examples from contemporary sources of the pirate ships; many of which were rowed galleys. Also included are a handful of contemporary maps; and modern illustrations of uniforms and equipment.The subject is too complex for easy treatment; but this concise account offers a reasonably evenhanded introduction to the topic. Recommended.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Konstam always does a wonderful concise job in providing perspective for various historical periodsBy Ronald A. RobisonMr. Konstam always does a wonderful concise job in providing perspective for various historical periods. His books provide a sense of the period and what occurred leading up to the events. This is no different. It is a wonderful concise reference to the Barbary Pirates.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy R. P. MyersGood addition to the Elite series
