This volume deals with fundamental aspects of the material life of Islamic societies in the formative period. Three broad sections comprise the scope of the book: the first on housing, the second on textiles and clothing, and the final one on food and drink. In each section, studies based upon both archaeological and literary sources are included. The aim of the collection is to highlight features of continuity between the pre-Islamic cultures of the Middle East and those other aspects which were introduced as a consequence of the development and spread of the Islamic religious tradition. The...

This revised and updated second edition features a new section tackling the issues arising from Islam's changing role in the volatile world order of the new millennium. Appearing at the end of a book which explores the ideas and traditions of Islam in depth, this new section offers thought-provoking reflections on the role of religion in the current conflicts. First Edition Hb (1995): 0-521-41880-1 First Edition Pb (1995): 0-521-42929-3

Ibn Battuta was, without doubt, one of the world's truly great travellers. Born in 14th century Morocco, and a contemporary of Marco Polo, Ibn Battuta has left us an account in his own words of his remarkable journeys throughout the Islamic world and beyond.