Empires - Islam: Empire of Faith

Empires - Islam: Empire of Faith


Starring:Islam-Empire of Faith
Studio: Pbs Home Video
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
Islam: Empire of Faith is the epic PBS documentary that charts the history of Islam from its beginnings in Mecca and Medina in the seventh century to the glory of the Ottoman Empire 1,000 years later.

The demonization of Islam by the West has a long history, stretching back to the First Crusade at the end of the 11th century. This documentary redresses the balance by showing the riches of Islamic culture and the vital role played by Islam in preserving and building upon ancient wisdom from East and West at a time when most of Europe was stumbling through the Dark Ages. Muslim physicians, mathematicians, and astronomers stretched the boundaries of human knowledge, and Muslim architects created some of the most beautiful buildings in the world.

Islam also offers fascinating insights into key personalities, from Muhammad himself--a simple merchant whose vision of a single deity forged warring tribes into a nation--to great conquerors such as Mehmed and Suleyman, who presided over an empire that stretched from Spain to India. The faith itself is clearly explained, and interviews with historians and religious scholars bring home both its simplicity and the way that it survived huge cultural changes (like the Mongol invasions of the 13th century) to emerge stronger than ever. Islam has often been misunderstood in the West, but this splendid documentary helps to set the record straight. --Simon Leake
Description
Between the fall of Rome and the European voyages of discovery, few events were more significant than the rise of Islam. Within a few centuries, the Islamic empires blossomed, projecting their power from Africa to the East Indies, and from Spain to India. Inspired by the words of the Prophet Muhammed, and led by caliphs and sultans, this political and religious expansion remains unequaled in speed, geographic size and endurance.

Islam: Empire of Faith is narrated by Academy Award®-winning actor Ben Kingsley. The three-hour program tells the spectacular story of the great sweep of Islamic power and faith during its first 1,000 years ‹ from the birth of the Prophet Muhammed to the peak of the Ottoman Empire under the reign of Suleyman the Magnificent. Historical re-enactments and a remarkable exposition of Islamic art, artifacts and architecture are combined with interviews of scholars from around the world to recount the rise and importance of early Islamic civilization. Increasingly, scholars and historians are recognizing the profound impact that Islamic civilization has had on Western culture and the course of world history.
Empires - Islam: Empire of Faith
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Good Documentary
  • This PBS Series Stops at the End of the 16th Century---Before the Great Decline
  • Empire of what?
  • Pretty Propaganda
  • More needs to be done!
 Empires - Islam: Empire of Faith
Starring: Ben Kingsley
Director: Robert A. Gardner
Manufacturer: PBS Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Similar Items:
  1. National Geographic - Inside Mecca
  2. Inside Islam (History Channel)
  3. Message (30th Anniversary Edition)
  4. The History Channel Presents The Crusades - Crescent & The Cross
  5. Empires - The Kingdom of David - The Saga of the Israelites

ASIN: B00078XGP6
Release Date: 2005-03-08

Amazon.com

Islam: Empire of Faith is the epic PBS documentary that charts the history of Islam from its beginnings in Mecca and Medina in the seventh century to the glory of the Ottoman Empire 1,000 years later.

The demonization of Islam by the West has a long history, stretching back to the First Crusade at the end of the 11th century. This documentary redresses the balance by showing the riches of Islamic culture and the vital role played by Islam in preserving and building upon ancient wisdom from East and West at a time when most of Europe was stumbling through the Dark Ages. Muslim physicians, mathematicians, and astronomers stretched the boundaries of human knowledge, and Muslim architects created some of the most beautiful buildings in the world.

Islam also offers fascinating insights into key personalities, from Muhammad himself--a simple merchant whose vision of a single deity forged warring tribes into a nation--to great conquerors such as Mehmed and Suleyman, who presided over an empire that stretched from Spain to India. The faith itself is clearly explained, and interviews with historians and religious scholars bring home both its simplicity and the way that it survived huge cultural changes (like the Mongol invasions of the 13th century) to emerge stronger than ever. Islam has often been misunderstood in the West, but this splendid documentary helps to set the record straight. --Simon Leake

Description

ISLAM: EMPIRE OF FAITH, a three-part series, re-creates the spectacular sweep of Islamic power and faith during its first 1,000 years, from Muhammad's birth to the Ottoman Empire under Suleyman the Magnificent. Evocative re-enactments and art, artifacts, and architecture combine with scholarly interviews to recount the rise and glory of Islamic civilization. DVD includes behind-the-scenes look at the making of ISLAM and producer's commentary

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Good Documentary.......2007-04-26

This is a good documentary made by open-minded, non-biased, honest non-Muslims who took a look at history and told it like it is. This is a good intro to see the many contributions made by Muslims throughout history.

5 out of 5 stars This PBS Series Stops at the End of the 16th Century---Before the Great Decline.......2007-02-08

I enjoyed, as far as it goes, Islam: Empire of Faith. One learns about the educational and cultural advances of the Islamic empires from 7th Century to the latter half of the 16th. During this time period the Muslim world valued secular learning and modern technology. It established hospitals and mammoth libraries unheard of in the Christian West. A certain degree of religious toleration even existed. The film producers, however, could have spent more time regarding the second class status of women---but the West admittedly was not doing much better in this regard. No, the problem is that this documentary study did not continue into the 17th Century when everything started to rapidly fall apart. Anti-intellectualism and ludditism started to become the norm. At times, a number of Islamic adherents even embraced a nihilistic interpretation of the their faith. Life is supposedly an awful thing and death is preferable. The previously backward West even surpassed the Muslims to the point of utter embarrassment.

What has the Islamic world accomplished in the last 400 to 500 years? The more affluent Muslims are compelled to send their children to the West to obtain a good education. Islamic dominated universities are usually nothing more than a joke. You should make a point to view this fine series. Immediately afterwards, you must read Bernard Lewis's What Went Wrong?: Western Impact and Middle Eastern Response. Another fine work is Robert Spencer's The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam (and the Crusades).

David Thomson
Flares into Darkness

1 out of 5 stars Empire of what?.......2007-01-11

Another contribution into the cause of Islamic apologetics. For people that want to convert only.

1 out of 5 stars Pretty Propaganda.......2006-10-23

This is a grotesque misrepresentation of Islamic history and doctrine. There is no mention of the centuries of aggressive warfare, oppression, and enslavement that Islam brought to Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Indian subcontinent. One of the most appalling sequences involves a dramatization of the life of Christian boys stolen from their homes under the devshirme system. These boys were forcibly converted to Islam and then turned into oppressors of their own people suffering under Islamic rule, particularly in the Balkans. The movie shows them as happily learning to wash themselves before entering a mosque, playing and holding hands. Despite looking and sounding beautiful, the entire production is a lying disgrace.

5 out of 5 stars More needs to be done!.......2006-09-26

I must applaud PBS for such a splendid job.I am often surprised how little is known about the glorious past of this civilization. More should be done to educate the public about this abrahamic faith which is followed by more than a quarter of the world's population. It is precisely such efforts that will help promote global peace.
Empires - Islam: Empire of Faith
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Good Documentary
  • This PBS Series Stops at the End of the 16th Century---Before the Great Decline
  • Empire of what?
  • Pretty Propaganda
  • More needs to be done!
 Empires - Islam: Empire of Faith
Starring: Islam-Empire of Faith
Manufacturer: Pbs Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

GeneralGeneral | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video
ReligionReligion | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video
GeneralGeneral | Religion & Spirituality | Special Interests | Genres | DVD | Video
DVDs Under $7.49DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
( E )( E ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Used DVDsUsed DVDs | Stores | DVD | Video | Action & Adventure | African American Cinema | Animation | Anime & Manga | Art House & International | Classics | Comedy | Cult Movies | Documentary | Drama | Educational | Fitness & Yoga | Gay & Lesbian | Horror | Kids & Family | Military & War | Music Video & Concerts | Musicals & Performing Arts | Mystery & Suspense | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Special Interests | Sports | Television | Westerns
AllAll | PBS | Specialty Stores | DVD | Video
Similar Items:
  1. National Geographic - Inside Mecca
  2. Inside Islam (History Channel)
  3. Message (30th Anniversary Edition)
  4. The History Channel Presents The Crusades - Crescent & The Cross
  5. Empires - The Kingdom of David - The Saga of the Israelites

ASIN: B00005RI8J
Release Date: 2001-11-27

Amazon.com

Islam: Empire of Faith is the epic PBS documentary that charts the history of Islam from its beginnings in Mecca and Medina in the seventh century to the glory of the Ottoman Empire 1,000 years later.

The demonization of Islam by the West has a long history, stretching back to the First Crusade at the end of the 11th century. This documentary redresses the balance by showing the riches of Islamic culture and the vital role played by Islam in preserving and building upon ancient wisdom from East and West at a time when most of Europe was stumbling through the Dark Ages. Muslim physicians, mathematicians, and astronomers stretched the boundaries of human knowledge, and Muslim architects created some of the most beautiful buildings in the world.

Islam also offers fascinating insights into key personalities, from Muhammad himself--a simple merchant whose vision of a single deity forged warring tribes into a nation--to great conquerors such as Mehmed and Suleyman, who presided over an empire that stretched from Spain to India. The faith itself is clearly explained, and interviews with historians and religious scholars bring home both its simplicity and the way that it survived huge cultural changes (like the Mongol invasions of the 13th century) to emerge stronger than ever. Islam has often been misunderstood in the West, but this splendid documentary helps to set the record straight. --Simon Leake

Description

Between the fall of Rome and the European voyages of discovery, few events were more significant than the rise of Islam. Within a few centuries, the Islamic empires blossomed, projecting their power from Africa to the East Indies, and from Spain to India. Inspired by the words of the Prophet Muhammed, and led by caliphs and sultans, this political and religious expansion remains unequaled in speed, geographic size and endurance.

Islam: Empire of Faith is narrated by Academy Award®-winning actor Ben Kingsley. The three-hour program tells the spectacular story of the great sweep of Islamic power and faith during its first 1,000 years ‹ from the birth of the Prophet Muhammed to the peak of the Ottoman Empire under the reign of Suleyman the Magnificent. Historical re-enactments and a remarkable exposition of Islamic art, artifacts and architecture are combined with interviews of scholars from around the world to recount the rise and importance of early Islamic civilization. Increasingly, scholars and historians are recognizing the profound impact that Islamic civilization has had on Western culture and the course of world history.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Good Documentary.......2007-04-26

This is a good documentary made by open-minded, non-biased, honest non-Muslims who took a look at history and told it like it is. This is a good intro to see the many contributions made by Muslims throughout history.

5 out of 5 stars This PBS Series Stops at the End of the 16th Century---Before the Great Decline.......2007-02-08

I enjoyed, as far as it goes, Islam: Empire of Faith. One learns about the educational and cultural advances of the Islamic empires from 7th Century to the latter half of the 16th. During this time period the Muslim world valued secular learning and modern technology. It established hospitals and mammoth libraries unheard of in the Christian West. A certain degree of religious toleration even existed. The film producers, however, could have spent more time regarding the second class status of women---but the West admittedly was not doing much better in this regard. No, the problem is that this documentary study did not continue into the 17th Century when everything started to rapidly fall apart. Anti-intellectualism and ludditism started to become the norm. At times, a number of Islamic adherents even embraced a nihilistic interpretation of the their faith. Life is supposedly an awful thing and death is preferable. The previously backward West even surpassed the Muslims to the point of utter embarrassment.

What has the Islamic world accomplished in the last 400 to 500 years? The more affluent Muslims are compelled to send their children to the West to obtain a good education. Islamic dominated universities are usually nothing more than a joke. You should make a point to view this fine series. Immediately afterwards, you must read Bernard Lewis's What Went Wrong?: Western Impact and Middle Eastern Response. Another fine work is Robert Spencer's The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam (and the Crusades).

David Thomson
Flares into Darkness

1 out of 5 stars Empire of what?.......2007-01-11

Another contribution into the cause of Islamic apologetics. For people that want to convert only.

1 out of 5 stars Pretty Propaganda.......2006-10-23

This is a grotesque misrepresentation of Islamic history and doctrine. There is no mention of the centuries of aggressive warfare, oppression, and enslavement that Islam brought to Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Indian subcontinent. One of the most appalling sequences involves a dramatization of the life of Christian boys stolen from their homes under the devshirme system. These boys were forcibly converted to Islam and then turned into oppressors of their own people suffering under Islamic rule, particularly in the Balkans. The movie shows them as happily learning to wash themselves before entering a mosque, playing and holding hands. Despite looking and sounding beautiful, the entire production is a lying disgrace.

5 out of 5 stars More needs to be done!.......2006-09-26

I must applaud PBS for such a splendid job.I am often surprised how little is known about the glorious past of this civilization. More should be done to educate the public about this abrahamic faith which is followed by more than a quarter of the world's population. It is precisely such efforts that will help promote global peace.
Islam: Empire of Faith
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Good Documentary
  • This PBS Series Stops at the End of the 16th Century---Before the Great Decline
  • Empire of what?
  • Pretty Propaganda
  • More needs to be done!
 Islam: Empire of Faith

Manufacturer: PBS Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Used DVDsUsed DVDs | Stores | DVD | Video | Action & Adventure | African American Cinema | Animation | Anime & Manga | Art House & International | Classics | Comedy | Cult Movies | Documentary | Drama | Educational | Fitness & Yoga | Gay & Lesbian | Horror | Kids & Family | Military & War | Music Video & Concerts | Musicals & Performing Arts | Mystery & Suspense | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Special Interests | Sports | Television | Westerns
AllAll | PBS | Specialty Stores | DVD | Video
GeneralGeneral | Home & Garden | Special Interests | Genres | DVD | Video
Similar Items:
  1. National Geographic - Inside Mecca
  2. Inside Islam (History Channel)
  3. Message (30th Anniversary Edition)
  4. The History Channel Presents The Crusades - Crescent & The Cross
  5. Empires - The Kingdom of David - The Saga of the Israelites

ASIN: B0009PUATC

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Good Documentary.......2007-04-26

This is a good documentary made by open-minded, non-biased, honest non-Muslims who took a look at history and told it like it is. This is a good intro to see the many contributions made by Muslims throughout history.

5 out of 5 stars This PBS Series Stops at the End of the 16th Century---Before the Great Decline.......2007-02-08

I enjoyed, as far as it goes, Islam: Empire of Faith. One learns about the educational and cultural advances of the Islamic empires from 7th Century to the latter half of the 16th. During this time period the Muslim world valued secular learning and modern technology. It established hospitals and mammoth libraries unheard of in the Christian West. A certain degree of religious toleration even existed. The film producers, however, could have spent more time regarding the second class status of women---but the West admittedly was not doing much better in this regard. No, the problem is that this documentary study did not continue into the 17th Century when everything started to rapidly fall apart. Anti-intellectualism and ludditism started to become the norm. At times, a number of Islamic adherents even embraced a nihilistic interpretation of the their faith. Life is supposedly an awful thing and death is preferable. The previously backward West even surpassed the Muslims to the point of utter embarrassment.

What has the Islamic world accomplished in the last 400 to 500 years? The more affluent Muslims are compelled to send their children to the West to obtain a good education. Islamic dominated universities are usually nothing more than a joke. You should make a point to view this fine series. Immediately afterwards, you must read Bernard Lewis's What Went Wrong?: Western Impact and Middle Eastern Response. Another fine work is Robert Spencer's The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam (and the Crusades).

David Thomson
Flares into Darkness

1 out of 5 stars Empire of what?.......2007-01-11

Another contribution into the cause of Islamic apologetics. For people that want to convert only.

1 out of 5 stars Pretty Propaganda.......2006-10-23

This is a grotesque misrepresentation of Islamic history and doctrine. There is no mention of the centuries of aggressive warfare, oppression, and enslavement that Islam brought to Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Indian subcontinent. One of the most appalling sequences involves a dramatization of the life of Christian boys stolen from their homes under the devshirme system. These boys were forcibly converted to Islam and then turned into oppressors of their own people suffering under Islamic rule, particularly in the Balkans. The movie shows them as happily learning to wash themselves before entering a mosque, playing and holding hands. Despite looking and sounding beautiful, the entire production is a lying disgrace.

5 out of 5 stars More needs to be done!.......2006-09-26

I must applaud PBS for such a splendid job.I am often surprised how little is known about the glorious past of this civilization. More should be done to educate the public about this abrahamic faith which is followed by more than a quarter of the world's population. It is precisely such efforts that will help promote global peace.

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