This informative book looks at how early Islamic empires were governed. Fascinating topics explored include: the caliphs, or spiritual leaders; tolerance of other religions; non-Muslims paying taxes not to be in the Muslim army; sultans, palaces, and palace life; Sharia law; kings and queens in India; tribes and clans in Arabia and Kashmir. "About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

The scientific contributions of the early Islamic empires to science, medicine, and mathematics is considerable. This book explores: their public hospitals, libraries, and universities; their achievements in mathematics and astronomy, and the pursuit of alchemy; Arabic numbers; optics; music and musical instruments; and, poetry and education. From School Library Journal: Gr 5-7-Each book covers a particular aspect of life in the early Islamic world. The writing is generally simple enough for the intended audience but does not sacrifice quality of scholarship. Information is presented in concise chapters and is graphically well organized. The main texts are supplemented with blue boxes of information, subsections, and many high-quality reproductions, maps, and paintings. Each book contains time lines and short biographies of important historical figures. Together, the books provide a strong introduction to the study of life in the early Islamic world. Other similar titles have not been as successful at maintaining scholarly veracity while tailoring the information for young people.-Justin Parrott, Columbus Metropolitan Library, OHα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. "About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.