Studies on Civilisation of Islam

Studies on the Civilisation of Islam, by Hamilton Gibb (first published in 1962), translated by Ehsan Abbas et.al. Cairo: General Egyptian Book Organisation (GEBO), 2012. 319pp. The Arabic-language version of the book long regarded as one of the most important reference works on Islamic civilisation has finally been released by the GEBO. The book includes rich descriptions of Islamic history along with explanations and context, powerfully conveying the striking chronological differences between the progress of the Western and Arabic civilisations of the Middle Ages. The book also includes insightful reflections on the literature of the time, with a focus on early attempts at modernisation by Egyptian writers.