The forgotten story of Central Asia's enlightenment--its rise, fall, and enduring legacy In this sweeping and richly illustrated history, S. Frederick Starr tells the fascinating but largely unknown story of Central Asia's medieval enlightenment through the eventful lives and astonishing accomplishments of its greatest minds--remarkable figures who built a bridge to the modern world. Because nearly all of these figures wrote in Arabic, they were long assumed to have been Arabs. In fact, they were from Central Asia--drawn ...
Read More
The forgotten story of Central Asia's enlightenment--its rise, fall, and enduring legacy In this sweeping and richly illustrated history, S. Frederick Starr tells the fascinating but largely unknown story of Central Asia's medieval enlightenment through the eventful lives and astonishing accomplishments of its greatest minds--remarkable figures who built a bridge to the modern world. Because nearly all of these figures wrote in Arabic, they were long assumed to have been Arabs. In fact, they were from Central Asia--drawn from the Persianate and Turkic peoples of a region that today extends from Kazakhstan southward through Afghanistan, and from the easternmost province of Iran through Xinjiang, China. Lost Enlightenment recounts how, between the years 800 and 1200, Central Asia led the world in trade and economic development, the size and sophistication of its cities, the refinement of its arts, and, above all, in the advancement of knowledge in many fields. Central Asians achieved signal breakthroughs in astronomy, mathematics, geology, medicine, chemistry, music, social science, philosophy, and theology, among other subjects. They gave algebra its name, calculated the earth's diameter with unprecedented precision, wrote the books that later defined European medicine, and penned some of the world's greatest poetry. One scholar, working in Afghanistan, even predicted the existence of North and South America--five centuries before Columbus. Rarely in history has a more impressive group of polymaths appeared at one place and time. No wonder that their writings influenced European culture from the time of St. Thomas Aquinas down to the scientific revolution, and had a similarly deep impact in India and much of Asia. Lost Enlightenment chronicles this forgotten age of achievement, seeks to explain its rise, and explores the competing theories about the cause of its eventual demise. Informed by the latest scholarship yet written in a lively and accessible style, this is a book that will surprise general readers and specialists alike.
Read Less
Add this copy of Lost Enlightenment: Central Asia's Golden Age From the to cart. $14.30, good condition, Sold by Kona Bay Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Kailua-Kona, HI, UNITED STATES, published 2015 by Princeton University Press.
Add this copy of Lost Enlightenment: Central Asia's Golden Age From the to cart. $18.20, very good condition, Sold by Ebooksweb rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Bensalem, PA, UNITED STATES, published 2015 by Princeton University Press.
Add this copy of Lost Enlightenment: Central Asia's Golden Age From the to cart. $18.42, like new condition, Sold by Ebooksweb rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Bensalem, PA, UNITED STATES, published 2015 by Princeton University Press.
Add this copy of Lost Enlightenment: Central Asias Golden Age From the to cart. $25.02, very good condition, Sold by Greener Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from London, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2015 by Princeton University Press.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. **SHIPPED FROM UK** We believe you will be completely satisfied with our quick and reliable service. All orders are dispatched as swiftly as possible! Buy with confidence! Greener Books.
Add this copy of Lost Enlightenment: Central Asia's Golden Age From the to cart. $34.40, very good condition, Sold by BooksRun rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Philadelphia, PA, UNITED STATES, published 2013 by Princeton University Press.
Add this copy of Lost Enlightenment: Central Asia's Golden Age From the to cart. $85.00, like new condition, Sold by Southampton Sag Harbor Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Southampton, NY, UNITED STATES, published 2013 by Princeton University Press.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Like New in Like New jacket. First Edition, First Printing. Not price-clipped ($39.50 price intact). Published by Princeton, 2013. Octavo. Hardcover. Book is like new. Dust jacket is like new with light crease to back flap. An excellent copy of this book detailing the history of Central Asia's medieval enlightenment. 100% positive feedback. 30 day money back guarantee. NEXT DAY SHIPPING! Excellent customer service. All books packed carefully and ship with free delivery confirmation/tracking. All books come with free bookmarks. Ships from Sag Harbor, New York.
