What Critics are Saying about Al-Andalus Rediscovered
'"Iberia" — Spain and Portugal — is reliving an important moment in its history with the arrival of a new immigrant population. Descendants of those who were once driven from the peninsula, their presence causes many questions and debates: How can they live as Muslims in Europe? What is their relationship with their country of origin? And are they a threat? Marvine Howe's book demonstrates her extensive knowledge of the phenomenon. Intelligent analysis and a huge variety of sources make this a must-read title.' — Ana I. Planet, expert on Islam in contemporary Spain, Workshop on Mediterranean International Studies, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
A surprising look at today’s Spain and Portugal, and their struggles to rebuild a modern multicultural society on historical foundations. Howe’s work is not nostalgia but “rediscovery,” combining her own experiences with sound scholarship to address economic and social problems that are central to our age.’ — Milton Viorst, author of Storm from the East: the Struggle Between the Arab World and the Christian West
‘An influx of Muslim immigrants into Spain and Portugal has prompted a revival of interest, sometimes conflicted, in the distant Islamic past of these two countries. Marvine Howe, a writer rooted in both Iberian and North African cultures, explores the connections, looking at Muslim integration and Islam’s place in Europe from an entirely new perspective in this
very timely book.’ — Barbara Crossette, former New York Times foreign correspondent
‘A superb and remarkably comprehensive account of the recent transformation of Spain and Portugal into “immigrant-receiving” countries — with a particular emphasis on Muslim immigrants. This is the first book- length analysis of the contemporary resonance of Moorish Iberia in Spanish and Portuguese society, and the different responses of both countries to that historical legacy in the context of a new era of Muslim immigration. Howe is a skilled and remorseless reporter, who has clearly brought all her years of experience to bear in her research. The result is authoritative, illuminating and indispensable.’ — Matthew Carr, author of Blood and Faith: The Purging of Muslim Spain
‘Marvine Howe, a noted New York Times correspondent, writes evocatively on an oddly neglected but increasingly vital, topic: the role of Muslims in Iberia in history and today, following recent migrations. The range of her sources is impressive: personal interviews with leaders, the media, diverse publications and the author’s travels and observations of fifty years. This
is the new “culture history” at its best.’ — Douglas L Wheeler, Emeritus Professor of History, University of New Hampshire, and author of Republican Portugal and Historical Dictionary of Portugal
A surprising look at today’s Spain and Portugal, and their struggles to rebuild a modern multicultural society on historical foundations. Howe’s work is not nostalgia but “rediscovery,” combining her own experiences with sound scholarship to address economic and social problems that are central to our age.’ — Milton Viorst, author of Storm from the East: the Struggle Between the Arab World and the Christian West
‘An influx of Muslim immigrants into Spain and Portugal has prompted a revival of interest, sometimes conflicted, in the distant Islamic past of these two countries. Marvine Howe, a writer rooted in both Iberian and North African cultures, explores the connections, looking at Muslim integration and Islam’s place in Europe from an entirely new perspective in this
very timely book.’ — Barbara Crossette, former New York Times foreign correspondent
‘A superb and remarkably comprehensive account of the recent transformation of Spain and Portugal into “immigrant-receiving” countries — with a particular emphasis on Muslim immigrants. This is the first book- length analysis of the contemporary resonance of Moorish Iberia in Spanish and Portuguese society, and the different responses of both countries to that historical legacy in the context of a new era of Muslim immigration. Howe is a skilled and remorseless reporter, who has clearly brought all her years of experience to bear in her research. The result is authoritative, illuminating and indispensable.’ — Matthew Carr, author of Blood and Faith: The Purging of Muslim Spain
‘Marvine Howe, a noted New York Times correspondent, writes evocatively on an oddly neglected but increasingly vital, topic: the role of Muslims in Iberia in history and today, following recent migrations. The range of her sources is impressive: personal interviews with leaders, the media, diverse publications and the author’s travels and observations of fifty years. This
is the new “culture history” at its best.’ — Douglas L Wheeler, Emeritus Professor of History, University of New Hampshire, and author of Republican Portugal and Historical Dictionary of Portugal