A History of the Arab Peoples by Albert Hourani: Where to Find and Download the pdf Version of this Landmark Book
History of the Arab Peoples Hourani pdf download
If you are interested in learning about the history and culture of the Arab world, you might want to read A History of the Arab Peoples by Albert Hourani. This is a classic and comprehensive book that covers 12 centuries of Arab history, from the rise of Islam to the modern era. But who was Albert Hourani, and what makes his book so special? And how can you download A History of the Arab Peoples pdf for free? In this article, we will answer these questions and more.
History Of The Arab Peoples Hourani Pdf Download
Who was Albert Hourani?
Albert Hourani was a British-Lebanese historian, writer, and academic who specialized in Middle Eastern studies. He was born in Manchester in 1915 to a Lebanese Christian family that had emigrated from Syria. He studied at Oxford University, where he became fascinated by Arabic language and literature. He later taught at Oxford, London, and Beirut, and became one of the most influential and respected scholars of his field.
His life and career
Hourani's life spanned some of the most turbulent and transformative events in the Middle East, such as the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, the rise of nationalism, the creation of Israel, the Suez Crisis, the Arab-Israeli wars, the Iranian Revolution, and the Gulf War. He witnessed many of these events firsthand, as he traveled extensively throughout the region and met with many prominent figures, such as Gamal Abdel Nasser, Anwar Sadat, King Hussein, Ayatollah Khomeini, and Yasser Arafat.
Hourani's career was also marked by his scholarly achievements and contributions. He wrote several books and articles on various aspects of Middle Eastern history, politics, society, and culture. He also edited and translated many works by Arab writers and thinkers. He was a founding member of the Middle East Studies Association and served as its president in 1976. He received many honors and awards for his work, such as the British Academy Medal, the Wolfson Prize, and the Balzan Prize.
His major works and contributions
Among Hourani's many works, two stand out as his most important and influential ones: Arabic Thought in the Liberal Age (1962) and A History of the Arab Peoples (1991). The former is a study of the intellectual movements and debates that shaped modern Arab thought from 1798 to 1939. It explores how Arab thinkers responded to the challenges posed by Western imperialism, modernization, nationalism, secularism, democracy, and socialism. It also introduces some of the key figures and ideas that influenced Arab culture and politics.
The latter is Hourani's magnum opus, a sweeping and comprehensive account of 12 centuries of Arab history from the seventh to the twentieth century. It covers not only political events but also social, economic, cultural, religious, and intellectual developments. It traces how Arab societies evolved over time under different circumstances and influences. It also highlights how Arab peoples shared a common heritage but also displayed diversity and complexity.
What is A History of the Arab Peoples?
A History of the Arab Peoples is a book by Albert Hourani that was published in 1991 by Harvard University Press. It is widely regarded as one of the best and most authoritative books on Arab history and civilization. It has been translated into several languages and has sold over a million copies worldwide. It has also been praised by critics and readers alike for its clarity, depth, balance, and insight.
The scope and structure of the book
The book covers 12 centuries of Arab history, from the rise of Islam in the seventh century to the end of the twentieth century. It is divided into five parts, each corresponding to a major historical period: The Making of a World (seventh-tenth century), Arab Muslim Societies (eleventh-fifteenth century), The Ottoman Age (sixteenth-eighteenth century), The Age of European Empires (1800-1939), and The Age of Nation-States (since 1939). Each part consists of several chapters that deal with specific topics, such as politics, society, culture, religion, and thought.
The book also includes several maps, genealogies, dynasties, illustrations, notes, references, and indexes. It also has a preface by Hourani himself, in which he explains his aims and methods in writing the book. He states that he wanted to present a "general picture" of Arab history that would be accessible to a wide audience. He also states that he tried to avoid imposing his own views or judgments on the historical facts. He writes: "I have tried to see the history of the Arab peoples through their own eyes, as far as this is possible."
The main themes and arguments of the book
The book explores several themes and arguments that are central to understanding Arab history and civilization. Some of these are:
The role of Islam as a unifying and diversifying force in Arab history. Hourani shows how Islam provided a common framework of beliefs, values, laws, institutions, and rituals for Arab peoples, but also how it allowed for different interpretations, sects, schools, and movements within its fold.
The interaction between Arab and non-Arab cultures and civilizations. Hourani shows how Arab peoples were influenced by and influenced other cultures and civilizations, such as Persia, Byzantium, Turkey, Africa, India, China, Europe, and America. He also shows how Arab peoples adapted to changing environments and challenges posed by external forces.
The continuity and change in Arab societies and cultures. Hourani shows how Arab societies and cultures maintained some elements of continuity over time, such as language, religion, family, tribe, and urban life. He also shows how they underwent some changes over time, such as political systems, economic structures, social classes, artistic styles, and intellectual trends.
The diversity and complexity of Arab peoples. Hourani shows how Arab peoples were not a homogeneous or monolithic group but rather a diverse and complex one. He shows how they varied in terms of geography, ethnicity, language, religion, sect, ideology, culture, and identity. He also shows how they experienced conflicts and cooperation among themselves and with others.
The reception and impact of the book
The book received widespread acclaim from critics and readers alike when it was published in 1991. It was hailed as a masterpiece of scholarship and a landmark of historical writing. It was praised for its breadth, depth, balance, insight, elegance, and readability. It was also recognized as a valuable source of information and understanding for anyone interested in the Arab world.
The book also had a significant impact on the field of Middle Eastern studies and beyond. It inspired many scholars to conduct further research on various aspects of Arab history and civilization. It also influenced many educators to adopt it as a textbook or reference for their courses on the Middle East. It also reached a wider audience beyond academia who wanted to learn more about the Arab world in light of recent events.
How to download A History of the Arab Peoples pdf?
If you want to read A History of the Arab Peoples by Albert Hourani in pdf format for free, you might wonder how to do so. There are several benefits of reading the book in pdf format: you can access it anytime and anywhere on your device; you can adjust the font size and style to suit your preference; you can highlight or annotate parts of the text; you can search for keywords or phrases; you can print or share pages with others; etc.
The benefits of reading the book in pdf format
However, there are also some legal and ethical issues involved in downloading the book in pdf format for free. The book is protected by copyright laws that grant exclusive rights to the author and publisher to distribute or reproduce it. Downloading the book without their permission or paying them royalties is considered an infringement of their rights. This could result in legal consequences or penalties for you or the source that provides the download link.
The legal and ethical 71b2f0854b