A groundbreaking work that exposes the twisted origins of affirmative action. In this "penetrating new analysis" (New York Times Book Review) Ira Katznelson fundamentally recasts our understanding of twentieth-century American history and demonstrates that all the key programs passed during the New Deal and Fair Deal era of the 1930s and 1940s were created in a deeply discriminatory manner. Through mechanisms designed by Southern Democrats that specifically excluded maids and farm workers; the gap between blacks and whites actually widened despite postwar prosperity. In the words of noted historian Eric Foner; "Katznelson's incisive book should change the terms of debate about affirmative action; and about the last seventy years of American history."
#426643 in Books 2001-10-17 2001-10-17Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.30 x 1.00 x 5.60l; .72 #File Name: 0393321657352 pages
Review
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful. Lewis does go into great detail to explain how Muslim civilization was highly advanced ...By Steven C.To say that Bernard Lewis is an educated writer would be an understatement. He holds a B.A. in History in the Near and Middle East and a Ph.D. in the History of Islam. He has taught at such prestigious schools as The University of London and Princeton. He wrote The Muslim Discovery of Europe from the perception of the Muslim; detailing Muslim history; interactions between Muslim and European peoples; with times ranging from the seventh to the eighteenth century. Lewis introduces an advanced Muslim civilization; in comparison to the barbaric European society; that over the course of centuries; fails to adapt to changing times and falls behind its European counterparts. Lewis does go into great detail to explain how Muslim civilization was highly advanced in comparison to European culture of the time; in every imaginable way; including intellect; science; medicine; warfare; and art. Lewis used a wealth of knowledge to pull from in his book; citing references from a variety of sources; most of which were of the time; primary sources. The book was intended for; and I would recommend it for; a scholarly individual with some background knowledge into the Muslim civilization. Lewis states individual’s names and; from time to time; references events without giving much; or no historical detail leading up to the reference. If one did not have much familiarity with the subject; it could become confusing at times; and at the least should have a search engine on cue to do some research. History is a difficult subject to write; to provide exciting stimuli; and this book is no different. It seems very dry to read; and flows from fact to fact; without providing much personality of the author.6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. I loved this book; it only made me want to read more about this topic!By Eugenia Amaolo Lanata“The Muslim discovery of Europe†by Bernard Lewis; is a really interesting book for those students or amateur readers who want to have a detailed idea of Middle East history during fifteenth to the nineteenth century.Professor Lewis is considered to be an Excellency and an outstanding intellectual in Middle East studies; usually consulted by many countries for his detailed historical knowledge. He is well known for his linguistic skills; with more than fifteen known languages; Lewis is a gifted polyglot; in languages such as classical Arabic; Turkish; Persian and Hebrew. “The Muslim Discovery of Europeâ€; which; as its title suggests; is an exhausted description of the Muslim world and its “discovery†and the long term “relations†between them and the Christian world; starting with the rise of Islam in the seventh century until around the eighteenth century; the decay of its political; military; and economic power; viewed not by the European standpoint but from that of the Eastern Muslim. The main focus of the book is set during the high Middle Ages and the early modern era. In this extreme detailed description; the author covers many topics to make his point about the differences found between both worlds and how they were seen; it goes from religious rivalry; social and cultural contacts; war and diplomacy; slavery; to science; economics; and linguistic themes. Certainly the author’s approach in this history book is of a combination of many subjects; mainly the cultural differences; which involves not only politics; general laws applied in each country; race and class; but mainly religious and linguistic differences. “What did they want to know about each other? What did they want not to know? How far did they succeed? (…) Professor Lewis seeks to answer these questions from the Muslim side. When browsing the content of the book; the first and simple impression is that the structure of the book is organized into chapters; but not necessarily in a chronological order but more in thematically idea going from general perspective to a more specific and detailed description. It is easy to read even for those who are not aware of how historical events developed.I loved this book; it only made me want to read more about this topic!8 of 9 people found the following review helpful. A Comprehendible History for the Unlearned Reader.By Mary C.In The Muslim Discovery of Europe; Bernard Lewis analyzes the Muslim perceptions of Europe over a span of 1200 years; from various Arab conquests to the Napoleonic invasion of Egypt. By referencing diverse Middle Eastern writings; Lewis establishes and explains the intellectual and practical limits of the Muslim understanding of Europe. In The Muslim Discovery of Europe; Lewis formulates the argument (which he expounds upon in later works; such as "From Babel to Dragomans: Interpreting the Middle East") that until the nineteenth century; Islamic societies had little to no interest in learning about or interacting with their European “rivalâ€; the Muslim’s disinterest in Europe; according to Lewis; was more detrimental to Islamic society rather than European society. The reasoning behind Lewis’ argument? The intellectual; religious; and cultural superiority of the Muslims led Islamic society to lead a closed; mostly private lifestyle; according to Lewis; one of the rare times Muslims sought and acknowledged European strength was after the defeats of the Ottoman Empire in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Lewis proposes that the Muslim aversion to the Judeo-Christian religions; which saturated western Europe; was also a reason for disinterest and the secluded Islamic lifestyle; “This is no less than a clash of civilizations;†Lewis writes of the Muslim dislike of the West; “The perhaps irrational but surely historic reaction of an ancient rival against our Judeo-Christian heritage; our secular present; and the worldwide expansion of both.†Lewis writes a fluid and convincing argument. The only reason I give The Muslim Discovery of Europe four stars is because there is another side to the Muslim history. Lewis' argument could be contradicted by the works of Nabil Matar; who is a Christian Palestinian author; and who has the other perspective of the Muslims. All in all; Lewis' book is clear and concise; and historically accurate; The Muslim Discovery of Europe provides a great basic framework for uninformed readers.
