Arabic Thought in the Liberal Age 1798-1939

Rating:
Summary: Excellent presentation of some of the modern arab thought
Review: In his study of the Arab world, Hourani tried to explore the cultural constituents of modern Arab thought. The book will compare schools of thought that emerged as a result of an overwhelming exposure to modern Europe. Hourani presented his argument based on existing scholars and events melding the whole picture in a portrait that defines some very near premises of contemporary Arabic thought. In his book, Hourani sees Christians and Muslims who are living together under the sovereignty of the "ISLAMIC UMMA". While Muslims realized that the roots of weakness and disintegration in the Islamic civilization as the corruption that would hinder the application of correct Islam Christians showed a great deal of interest in reforming the language that is the heart and soul of Arabic culture. While some wanted to get closer to the spirit of Islam, others wanted to try an adjusted European secularism that would fit into the social fabric of the fading UMMA in the wake of nationalist feeling in the advent of 20th century.

The book might help to tell about the social premises of the current Arab world critical situation. However, the nature of the book will appeal to people having special interest in understanding some aspectse of a very complicated field of study, the Arabic Culture.