Destiny Disrupted

A History of the World through Islamic Eyes

By: Tamim Ansary

Narrated by: Tamim Ansary

Until about 1800, the West and the Islamic realm were like two adjacent, parallel universes, each assuming itself to be the center of the world while ignoring the other. As Europeans colonized the globe, the two world histories intersected and the Western narrative drove the other one under. The West hardly noticed, but the Islamic world found the encounter profoundly disrupting.

This book reveals the parallel "other" narrative of world history to help us make sense of today's world conflicts. Ansary traces the history of the Muslim world from pre-Mohammedan days through 9/11, introducing people, events, empires, legends, and religious disputes, both in terms of what happened and how it was understood and interpreted.

©2009 Tamim Ansary (P)2009 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Informative and thoroughly engaging....A must read." (Khaled Hosseini, author of The Kite Runner)

Lots of little known information

I thought the author did a great job of laying out the time line.

HISTORY...PERSPECTIVE DOES MAKE THE DIFFERENCE

I highly recommend the unabridged audio version as presented from a moderate Muslim’s point of view and read by the author, Mr. Tamim Ansary. His excellent narration and accurate pronunciation of people, places and things only increases the listening experience, which may not have been as enjoyable had another, ‘less-adept’ narrator been chosen for the task. That being said, the information contained in this book deals with 1300 years of human history. True, there are plenty of facts but ‘Destiny Disrupted…’ neither falls into that category of boring text book nor is it a dull book of historic facts. ‘Destiny Disrupted…’ is a kaleidoscope of kingdoms, cultures, campaigns and clashes, ranging from those of Europe, Asia Minor, Persia and ‘Middle World’ (a/k/a Middle East to the West), to the distant lands of India and the Far East.

Through Ansary’s eyes we gain an alternative perspective of the Middle World and as he is equally critical of both Western and Muslim prejudices and dogma, he establishes himself as a trustworthy guide and reporter. This book offers a fulfilling overview, striking the perfect balance between summary and detail, objective reporting and critical analysis; while setting contemporary events and world views into historical context. This is the larger picture most westerners need to hear but unfortunately will never know.

This is important and relevant so if you are ready to put aside the traditional western commentary and you are willing to hear the ‘other side’, then you are ready to be enlightened and so this book is for you.

Excellent, Unbiased East & West Historical Narratives

I found this to be superlative summaries of East and West histories. I like how coverage of both was unbiased, chronological, and logically showing how the nexus of both civilizations effected and was perceived by each side. I enjoyed the perspective from an Eastern point of view as well as listening to the author narrating at 1.25 speed. A very enjoyable history book/listen.

A common sense voice

An explanation of the lack of cultural understanding between the Islamic emotionally orientated thinking and western rationality. One of the most useful books in understanding how the cultural views are incompatible.

An Insider's view of Islam

The author, Tamim Ansary, is a devout Muslim. Born in the Middle East, he is now a professor of Islamic studies and history in the US. He lives in two worlds. In this lucid and well written book, he attempts to describe the history, sociology, and general world view of Islam. This is a tall order, but he does it well.

In the author's view the values of the Islamic world are innately different than the values of the West. The central feature is the "Uma" -- the collective society. The aim of the Uma is to care for all of it's members. To do this requires unity and a traditional code of conduct. Women are supposed to be closeted and home oriented. Individuals are supposed to follow community rules for the good of all. Religion is the primary socializing force and so the religious leaders must be in charge.

The author does not promote Islamic ideals over those of Western Democracy. He is just trying to explain how we arrived where we are today. I am writing this review during the Jan.8th 2015 hostage crisis in Paris. So this book is very relevant. Intellectually, Tamim Ansary seems totally in tune with the free values of his adopted country. Emotionally he seems to long for the social closeness and safety of his Islamic heritage. But you really cannot have it both ways.

This book has helped me understand the current news much better. However it does not offer any solutions.

A far too hidden perspective

Any additional comments?

I was very glad to read history from the level-headed Arabic perspective of Tamin Ansary. Though i read a lot of history, I was grateful to have his perspective and I look forward to reading more by him.

brilliant

compelling narrative. uniquely balanced perspective, and strong (but understated) reading made this the best listen I've had on audible in years.

Very informative

excellent read, sheds new light on Muslim history and its recent interaction with western civilization

Fills an overlooked perspective: Non-Eurocentric!

I love world history and really enjoy reading about everything from ancient Rome to the World Wars. However, I find nearly all histories written in English take a firmly Eurocentric perspective. This book doesn't start with the Greeks or Romans. It doesn't paint the colonizing monarchies of Western Europe as the "good guys" (it also doesn't specifically paint them as the bad guys either).

This book touches on all of the history that you learned in school but tells the story from the perspective of the Muslim world. I'd recommend it to any Westerner who is interested in learning something new about World History and wants to find a good place to start.

The book really needed to be a bit longer

it really needed to be a bit longer and in depth. I wish he would have gone further lengths in the details of Islamic history in contrast to european.