Destiny Disrupted: A History of the World Through Islamic Eyes

We are good at seeing the world though our own eyes, through our own traditions. And we tend to assume that our perspective is the truth, when it is actually only our understanding of `the truth'... something which exists outside of us. How much of how we view the world today is based on the way we were taught history, through the lens of western historians and policy makers? This book "Destiny Disrupted" is the story of world history seen through a particular lens: that of Muslims, who have their own 1400 year history which was not much intertwined with Europe. We can learn a good bit both about Islam and about world history by taking in this different perspective, written by a Muslim who is not afraid to be self-critical, to distinguish between what is known and what is believed about history, and who loves to tell it as a good story. Ansary has spent years writing in an accessible style for western readers, and this is an enjoyable and informative read.I wonder how other Muslims respond to this book, and hos much his perspective is influenced by his Afghan heritage, with its Persian influences.

This is not a history book nor is it a novel and yet it reads much like a story, told in the ancient tradition of storytelling, and I could easily imagine our author talking aloud to a group. It's a tale lovingly told, a tale of passions, the tale of world history from a non-Western perspective. Like the storytellers of old, the author engages us, cajoles us, throws in little tit-bits of gossip but most of all informs the un-informed. So, be warned history buffs, although there is an extensive bibliography this is a one man's perspective of certain events he has chosen to include and he makes no excuse for that. The title also makes clear that this is a religious tale, so be prepared for explanations of Islam the religion and Islam the way of life, its tenants and rules, as well the details of what sometimes seemed to me obscure differences of opinion. There are also mystics and universities of learning and through the tales one learns their debut to our Classical world and their gift in return, to western civilization which allowed the Enlightment and Renaissance to flourish. Reading this I felt that the tragedy of the currently popular ''clash of civilizations'' is that sailing back and forth on the sea of time we are completely intertwined; learning, knowledge and culture seeping back and forth between, so ultimatey its a re-telling of bits of our culture that we seemed to have rubbed out of the history books.I thoroughly enjoyed, this unusual and personal telling of history as a story, its engaging, interesting and amusing - the author is just that a author not a historian, so he can give his view and get away with it. It also allows him to be emotional and passionate in highlighting the tragedy of the common man, women and child living in what we now call the Middle east, their failed aspirations and somewhat hidden tale. Be prepared it is also a political tale as despite the spices and characters on the way it's a tale of corruption and missed opportunities of golden ages and depths of despair. And it seemed to me that one of the main reasons for writing this book was for our author - an Afghan- to help the west understand the roots of those tears. Just like a good movie our storyteller knows how to tell a tale and at the end I felt enlightened, I learnt things I didn't know, I heard interesting stories and would recommend this as a enjoyable way to understand our shared past and what should be, if we can talk and argue openly about such stories our shared future.

First a rant because it might prompt improvement: The index on the kindle version is a waste of space because it lacks links into the content. It doesn’t even include page numbers; it’s just a list of names etc., lacking any purpose. Come on publisher: you should be doing better.I enjoyed the book, which succeeds in providing the Islamic perspective regarding its relations with the West. It’s written in quite a casual style, which was fine with me. Just 4 stars because there were topics that I would have liked to learn more about that it didn’t cover adequately, if at all. In particular there was nothing about Indonesia, nor the Islamic world’s relations with black Africa, and little about the Mughal empire.

Heavy read so I think you need to like the subject but it’s an interesting perspective on Islamic culture and thinking.

I've only read a few chapters but I can say that this book has already demystified many preconceptions I have held throughout the years about my own religion. The author seems to have kept in mind that there may follow a wider readership, as it seems as though many terms and concepts have been briefly but well explained, with non-Muslim readers in mind. Very well written, especially for your average reader and a good start for those seeking to view things through non-Western lens, and of course to understand the whole West verus Middle East, thing.

One of the most fascinating books I have ever read. The familiar history of the world is completely transformed by this different perspective. I didn't know how massively ignorant I was until I read this book but it is so engagingly written that the new discoveries are a treat rather than a chore. For weeks I have been exhausting friends and family with fascinating new facts from this great book. The treatment is not at all academic and while i am sure it does not tell the full story it tells a gripping and exciting one from an intelligent and tolerant point of view. Brilliant.