The Arab World Thought of It: Inventions, Innovations, and Amazing Facts

Gr 4–7—Hussain provides an enthusiastic overview of the Arab world's extensive contributions to civilization, from the universal astrolabe, an ancient computer that calculated time and the sun's exact position at any location, to the oldest university still operating today. Her prose is clear and straightforward, if slightly dry in places. Considering the breadth of subject matter, Hussain does a remarkable job of packing a significant amount of information into easily digestible entries that readers will find worthwhile. The chapter covering the long-neglected historical contributions of Arab women should prove especially valuable. The text features a brief introduction, along with maps and historical time line material, which should orient those unfamiliar with the subject. The rest of the material is not organized in any particular order, but compact chapters and an ample index make this a helpful resource nonetheless, especially considering the lack of comparable up-to-date titles about the history of the Arab world. Plentiful high-quality color photographs bring the past and present to life, complementing the book's crisp design. Back matter includes notes on the Arabic language and alphabet. Overall, a useful resource.—Ted McCoy, Springfield City Library, MA