Author: Michael Hamilton Morgan

Publisher: National Geographic

Size/Vol.: A5 (14.8x21 cm - 5.83x8.27 in)

ISBN : 9781426202803

Language : English

-Medium Size - 22 x 15 x 2 cm cmPages: 301

- Binding: PaperBack

- Lost History shows global readers that many of the foundations of modern civilization rest in the Muslim past. These often-forgotten breakthroughs in mathe-matics, astronomy, science, medicine, engineering, the arts, architecture, tolerance of diversity and civic leader-ship were undertaken by courageous men and women representing multiple faiths and ethnicities. To Muslim-supported thinkers of 1000 years ago like al-Khwarizmi and Omar Khayyam we owe things like algebra and algorithms, enabling today’s laptops and cell phones, our global economy and feats of engineering like skyscrapers and the Space Shuttle. To figures like Ibn al-Haytham and al-Tusi we owe modern optical theory, the names of many stars, and a sense of the solar system that enabled Galileo and Copernicus to see the earth orbiting the sun, leading to today’s satellites and space travel. To al-Zahrawi and Maimonides and Ibn Sina and al-Razi we owe the first modern cardiology and antiseptics and antibiotics, the first sutures and obstetric forceps, the first modern insane asylums and psychotherapy. To forgotten engineers and inventors like Jabir and al-Jazari we owe the foundations of modern chemistry and engineering, the first torpedo, and the first glider flight by Ibn Firnas in Spain 1200 years ago. To Muslim culture we owe architectural sites like the Taj Mahal and the Alhambra, Tales of 1001 Nights, Ali Baba and Aladdin and Sinbad, higher musical theory and the winding patterns and designs of Muslim art. We are indebted to the Muslims for universities and libraries, and enlightened leaders like Suleiman the Magnificent, Saladin, Akbar the Great and Princess Jahanara.