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Social Codicology: The Multiple Lives of Manuscripts in Muslim Societies (Leiden Studies in Islam and Society, 21)
484 pages, Paperback
Published December 19, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 21, 2026
Social Codicology: The Multiple Lives of Manuscripts in Muslim Societies is a groundbreaking and intellectually rich collection that redefines how we think about manuscripts in the Islamic world. Rather than viewing manuscripts merely as containers of texts, this volume demonstrates that they are living cultural objects whose histories extend far beyond the moment of their creation. Edited by Olly Akkerman, the collection brings together outstanding scholarship that reveals the dynamic social, religious, intellectual, and material lives of manuscripts across Muslim societies.
One of the book's greatest strengths is its innovative methodological approach. By emphasizing "social codicology," the contributors explore manuscripts as participants in human networks—objects that were copied, annotated, gifted, inherited, traded, repaired, collected, and continuously reinterpreted. This perspective transforms the manuscript from a static artifact into an active witness to centuries of intellectual and social history.
I particularly appreciated the diversity of case studies represented throughout the volume. The essays examine manuscripts from a variety of geographical regions, historical periods, and religious communities, revealing the remarkable complexity of manuscript cultures across the Islamic world. Together, these studies demonstrate how manuscripts functioned not only as repositories of knowledge but also as instruments of authority, devotion, education, and communal identity.
Equally impressive is the interdisciplinary nature of the collection. Codicology, manuscript studies, history, religious studies, art history, anthropology, and material culture are woven together seamlessly, providing readers with fresh perspectives on how written knowledge circulated and evolved within Muslim societies.
The editorial coherence deserves special recognition. Despite addressing a wide range of topics, the essays collectively reinforce the central argument that manuscripts possess multiple biographies shaped by generations of readers, owners, scholars, and communities. This shared vision gives the volume both intellectual unity and lasting significance.
Social Codicology is an essential contribution to Islamic manuscript studies, book history, codicology, material culture, and the history of knowledge. It is indispensable reading for scholars, students, librarians, archivists, museum professionals, and anyone interested in the rich social lives of books and manuscripts.
One of the book's greatest strengths is its innovative methodological approach. By emphasizing "social codicology," the contributors explore manuscripts as participants in human networks—objects that were copied, annotated, gifted, inherited, traded, repaired, collected, and continuously reinterpreted. This perspective transforms the manuscript from a static artifact into an active witness to centuries of intellectual and social history.
I particularly appreciated the diversity of case studies represented throughout the volume. The essays examine manuscripts from a variety of geographical regions, historical periods, and religious communities, revealing the remarkable complexity of manuscript cultures across the Islamic world. Together, these studies demonstrate how manuscripts functioned not only as repositories of knowledge but also as instruments of authority, devotion, education, and communal identity.
Equally impressive is the interdisciplinary nature of the collection. Codicology, manuscript studies, history, religious studies, art history, anthropology, and material culture are woven together seamlessly, providing readers with fresh perspectives on how written knowledge circulated and evolved within Muslim societies.
The editorial coherence deserves special recognition. Despite addressing a wide range of topics, the essays collectively reinforce the central argument that manuscripts possess multiple biographies shaped by generations of readers, owners, scholars, and communities. This shared vision gives the volume both intellectual unity and lasting significance.
Social Codicology is an essential contribution to Islamic manuscript studies, book history, codicology, material culture, and the history of knowledge. It is indispensable reading for scholars, students, librarians, archivists, museum professionals, and anyone interested in the rich social lives of books and manuscripts.
June 21, 2026
قريت المقدمة والفصل الأول والتاني والسابع وأخر فصلين
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews