Rating: 
Summary: Rather superficial, but a good quick read
Review: I just finished reading this book and, while I definitely enjoyed it, I have some difficulty handing it a top review. It is too short to have any really authoritative discussion of facts or historical events. Instead, it proceeds through a generalized discussion of the Islamic (mostly Ottoman/Turkish) world in a relatively superficial fashion. Clearly Mr. Lewis is an absolute master of the subject matter. However, this book is not the best showcase of that knowledge.The book's style reminded me of what a former math professor of mine used to refer to as an "arm-waving proof." I.e., everyone knows where the proof is going and how to get there, so you sketch the argument out and wave your arms and everyone knows what's going on. Mr. Lewis' book does rather the same thing. Unfortunately, if you are not already well-versed in Islamic/Ottoman history then all of Mr. Lewis' arm-waving may leave you unconvinced. Also, the brevity of the book means that there is no "subsequent discussion" that all the arm-waving argumentation is preparing you for. In the final analysis, this book (1) gave me some good material for cocktail party conversation, and (2) made me want to read Mr. Lewis' much longer, more complete book on the same subject: "The Middle East: A Brief History of the Last 2,000 Years."
Rating: 
Summary: horrible book
Review: Blatent misinformation. This is an embarrasing front to cover the dirty hands of the Turkish government. I am embarrased that this book is even listed here.
Rating:
Summary: ... by apologist for Turkish government
Review: Bernard Lewis is known in academic circles to take the view point of the Turkish government as he has throughout his career been the recipient of generous grants from the Turkish gov't. I would not recommend his book for those expecting to find objective history about the Ottoman Turkish Empire.
Rating: 
Summary: Answers to the big questions.......
Review: First of all Bernard Lewis is a gifted writer and a very competent historian. This is a book which it not very politically correct, but is at the same time so needed. Here are a few main ideas the author presents. I believe there is a logical flow here..... #1, The accomplishments of the Islamic world were enormous through the middle ages (industry, government, education, culture, art, and my favorite which I wish Lewis would have spent more time on - philosophy) This point is without question or controversy. #2, There was a dramatic cultural shift when the West transitioned from the dark ages and the enlightenment took place, followed by the industrial revolution. At this time the Islamic centers of power and influence crumbled. This point is without question or controversy #3, The Islamic world continues to languish as a result and their reaction has been generally hostile towards the West as a result of this power shift. This point is where the controversy arises. #4, Why did the change in human achievement take place? This is by far the most interesting and most controversial question. Lewis gets into some very intriguing comparisons between Christianity and Islam. Ideas do have consequences. What people believe does effect what they do. The fundamental beliefs of Islam had not changed since its inception, so why was there such a blatant change in accomplishments and advancement? This question is incredibly non-politically correct to even ask today. However, I believe it is a key question and the answer is essential to know if healthy dialog is going to begin which will move us towards a solution to the tension now more present than ever between West and East.
Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful synopsis of earlier works...
Review: Bernard Lewis is an expert on his topic (Professor of Near Eastern Studies Emeritis at Princeton) and he has received much praise for his work. WHAT WENT WRONG is a distillation of material found in his earlier books, including A SHORT HISTORY OF THE MIDDLE EAST. Historians frequently use one of several questions as organizing principles for their research -- what happened? what worked? what went wrong? Lewis book title is taken from the last question -- one that educated Middle Easterners are currently asking themselves. If you think the turmoil in the Middle East indicates something is wrong, then Lewis' book may interest you. WHAT WENT WRONG is not perfect, but you will be able to identify the causes of the current problems in the Middle East if you read this book carefully. For example, on page 157 Lewis says there are those who suggest that "..the main culprit is Muslim sexism, and the relegation of women to an inferior position in society, thus depriving the Islamic world of the talents and energies of half its people, and entrusting the crucial early years of the upbringing of [children] to illiterate and downtrodden mothers." Boys raised by these mothers are arrogant and girls are submissive. These arrogant males and downtrodden females produce too many children which leads to extreme poverty. Lewis says the problems in the Middle East were not caused by the European powers, nor Israel. The problems in the Middle East are the result of following Islamic practices that prohibit the adaptation of Western ways including the enfranchisement of women. The problems in the Middle East will never be solved until the people adapt democratic processes and modern technology (i.e. birth control!!!).
Rating:
Summary: An Essential Point of Departure
Review: Lewis does a nice job laying down a framework with which to understand current world tensions. There is great historical information in the book, and a reader gets a feel for why it is that today's Muslim societies -- especially the Arab societies -- cannot stand their current predicament. These people are used to being on top, and they're searching for what went wrong. Lewis blames history, and bad decision-making. The Ottomans, one of this arguments goes, considered the West to be so inferior, they didn't even have permanent embassies in infidel cities. Because of such thinking, the subtleties of the diplomacy, statecraft, etc., are trades they're still learning. Lewis also points out that Western seafaring, and the new trade routes to Asia it opened, really hurt the Middle East, since its principalities could no longer generate revenue from traders along the Silk Road. This represents another interesting and fresh point.
Rating:
Summary: An average book
Review: As a prior reviewer states, this book is disjointed as one would expect from a book based upon a series of lectures. There are certainly some important themes discussed in this book which are particularly pertinent today. However these issues are not discussed in the depth that they deserve. The fundamental questions of the lack of development of secular institutions in the Middle East and the lack of intellectual freedom are not answered. Instead, the book amounts to a collection of vignettes of the cultural interactions between East and West. Overall, the book is not worthy of the hype which it has received.
Rating:
Summary: Islam's response to "westernization"
Review: Bernard Lewis provides a scholarly, historical analysis of Islam's response to its self-perceived decline over the last several centuries. Interpreting their response in three main questions, "What went wrong?," "Who did this to us?," and "How to we make it right?," Lewis outlines each stage of attempted reform vis-a-vis the emergence of the West and the proliferation of its global hegemony. Military, economic, and political reforms failed to remedy the underlying cause of their decline. He dismisses religion as the root problem, and in turn dismisses Mongol domination as well as subsequent imperialization as being decisive factors stunting cultural, techonological, and political advancement. As a result of Lewis' analysis, one is left with an abstract of various and sundry causes and consequences-- none of which lead to a clearly defined answer to the question posed. Though the once mighty Islamic civilization was in decline at the time of the Mongol invasion and indeed great cultural and scientific advancements were made during the invaders' rule, manifold defeats and disappointments at the hands of outside sources over an extended period surely exacerbated the regressive nature of the Islamic world as a whole. While assigning blame would be inappropriate given the complexity of their decline, a complete absolution of the effect of the western world upon their plight is also inadequate. Looking for an emergence from within the Islamic world for the solution to their difficulties is important; Equally, culturally sensitive assistance must come from the West to help ensure the success of such an entity when it does emerge. It is in the national interest of the United States as well as the interests of the world that Islamdom gains a more diversified presence in the global economy, and a more democratic and liberalized outlook politically.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent overview of the intersection of two cultures
Review: What went wrong provides a quick and clear bird's eye view of the history of Islamic culture and its interaction with the West. No culture can live in a vacuum. Especially one sandwiched between East and West. Due to its geography the Middle East has always been in a position to both influence and be influenced by the cultures of those around them. For the great majority of Islamic history, the Middle East found itself being the dominant culture in the world. But, with the rise of the West, Islamic culture has begun to recede from its once lofty place on the world's stage. How did this happen? The Islamic world received its wake-up call when Napoleon and his armies occupied Egypt. Previously, the West was an interesting side-show but now adjustments would have to be made. However, the West was still treated with contempt. The Islamic approach was to take from the infidel what can help such as military, medicine, engineering, etc. but leave their culture behind. Lewis notes the stark differences between the Middle East and the Western culture. The most notable differences exist in politics and law. In Islamic culture the Western tradition of the separation between church and state has always been a foreign concept. Law and religion are one in the same. From the Islamic perspective the West's process of argument and debate over law is seen as rather primitive. Law is to be interpreted from the Koran and not subject to human foibles. What Went Wrong examines other cultural differences with the most obvious being the treatment of women. Furthermore the book offers other interesting comparisons such as the historical evolution of the concepts of time and space. The Muslim world now finds itself at a crossroads. No longer the citadel of culture that they once were it is time to examine why. There are two roads that they may choose. They can take the easy way out and blame the West for all of their maladies or they can look inside themselves and seek to improve. This book is by no means an in depth study. But it does serve as an excellent starting point for those with a limited knowledge of the History of Islamic culture and a desire to know more.
Rating:
Summary: Best Writer on the Mideast
Review: I discovered Bernard Lewis a few years ago, after seeing him interviewed on Public TV. I try and read everything he writes and this latest book, not one for people looking for simple, easy answers, is to my mind just terrific.
What I like most about Lewis is that he brings so much with him to the table, his background is so deep, his study so solid. He sees things that many other writers miss and his opinions are clear and unbiased, if that is possible on the Middle East.
I am a writer myself, a horticulturist, and I was looking at my own book [book title] on Amazon just a few moments ago, and saw that people who bought my book had also bought this one by Bernard Lewis and also Steven Hawkings' latest book. I was flat out delighted to see that, just to even be at all close to two writers of that great stature. I feel honored to be in the same sentence with either of them. And for anyone who has never read any Bernard Lewis, or who has never heard him lecture or seen him being interviewed, you're in for a treat. He is dignified, remarkably well-read, sees all sides of difficult issues, is an obvious gentleman and scholar both, and is a man of rare wisdom. He's also a darn good writer.
| 
