[MR] Another book of interest to Scadians

[Garth G. Groff]

Friends,

In Atlantia there seems to be much interest in Islamic culture. With the 
exception of the well documented Muslim kingdoms of Spain, there seem to 
be few current about Muslims in the rest of Europe. A new book just 
received in the UVA libraries sheds new light on this lost piece of 
history: THE MUSLIMS OF MEDIEVAL ITALY by Alex Metcalfe (ISBN 
9780748620074; our call # ALDERMAN DG457 .M87 M48 2009). The book 
concentrates mostly on Sicily in the 9th-12th centuries, and especially 
on Muslim relationship with the Norman conquerors of that island 
kingdom. From skimming the book, it appears that there were long periods 
of peace when the two religions lived side-by-side, with many Muslims 
enjoying high status and great respect among the Normans. While the book 
is mainly politico-historical (now there's a fifty-cent word for you!), 
it does include chapters on art and architecture, and science. Included 
are maps, genealogical tables, and a number of illustrations (sadly all 
black-and-white). This book would be a good source of background 
material for creating either a Muslim or Italian persona of the era.

Kind regards,


Mungo Napier, Shire of Isenfir's Unofficial Librarian
(mka Garth Groff, UVA Libraries cataloger)