The Venture of Islam, Vol 1: The Classical Age of Islam

Questions About The Venture of Islam, Vol 1: The Classical Age of Islam

by Marshall G.S. Hodgson

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Has anyone found this book hard to read? I try to read 3-4 pages then I gave up. The style is too academic and the sentences are long meandering explanation that was hard to understand.
D. Neuser It is a difficult book, no doubt. I have spent literally years slowly working my way through the three volumes. Hodgson's prose certainly will never w…moreIt is a difficult book, no doubt. I have spent literally years slowly working my way through the three volumes. Hodgson's prose certainly will never win any awards for style.

That said, a lot of the difficulty is simply inherent to the subject matter. Hodgson has taken on an absolutely vast intellectual project. He's trying to tell the story of an entire civilization AND, at the same time, to show how this story is relevant to Western readers (who may be well-read about their own tradition, but be totally unfamiliar with the traditions of another faith and culture).

I am continually in awe at the titanic scale of Hodgson's learning that is on display here. But without a lot of my previous reading, I'm sure I'd be at a loss trying to take this on. (less)
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