Science and Islam: A History, by Ehsan Masood, tells the history of one of the most misunderstood, yet rich and fertile periods in science: the Islamic scientific revolution between 700 and 1500 AD.
Science and Islam weaves the story of three scientists and their work into a compelling narrative.
The book takes the reader on a journey through the Islamic empires of the middle ages, and explores the cultural and religious circumstances that made this revolution possible, plus Islam's contribution to science in Western Europe.
Masood unpacks the debates between scientists, philosophers and theologians on the nature of physical reality and the limits of human reason, and describes the many reasons for the eventual decline of advanced science and learning in the Arabic-speaking world.
The book accompanies the BBC Four television series presented by Prof Jim Al-Khalili and is complementary to the Radio 4 series presented by the author, Ehsan Masood.
Starting in February, the radio series explores the relationship between science and Islam and the status of science in the Islamic world today.
The three-part radio series will air at 21:00 on 16 February, 23 February and 2 March.
The second and third parts of Science and Islam will air at 21:00 on BBC Four on 12 January and 19 January.
Ehsan Masood will be in conversation with Ziauddin Sardar about Science and Islam on 28 January 2009 at Blackwell Bookshop, 48-51 Broad Street, Oxford.
