Europe and Islam. A History of Misunderstanding

The series "The Formation of Europe" is founded by five publishing houses in different countries, publishing books in various languages. We present readers with the works of the best contemporary historians exploring the most important aspects of European history - social life, culture, religion, economy, and politics. The aim of these studies is to approach the answers to global questions: "Who are we? Where did we come from? Where are we going?" "The Formation of Europe" is not an "academic" series, it is directed at an educated reader who demands accuracy of facts, but is not a specialist. - Jacques Le Goff, compiler of the series Franco Cardini, a professor at the University of Florence, familiar to the Russian reader from "The Origins of Medieval Chivalry," in his book investigates the relationships between Christian Europe and the Islamic world from the Middle Ages to the present day. A special place in the narrative is occupied by the history of prejudices, mistaken conceptions, and simple misunderstandings - largely due to them, Europe and the Islamic East entered into a confrontation that continues to this day. But alongside this, as Cardini emphasizes, there was a lively trade and cultural exchange: Muslim and Christian rulers, scholars and diplomats, travelers and merchants built bridges between the two civilizations. It is through interaction with the Islamic world - sometimes in the form of armed conflicts, sometimes in the form of peaceful contacts - that Europe first began to realize itself as a unified community. 2nd edition.