What Went Wrong?

In this seminal work, renowned historian Bernard Lewis delves into one of the most profound and enduring questions facing the Islamic world: 'What Went Wrong?' He meticulously examines the historical trajectory of Islamic societies from the 17th century onwards, tracing the growing divergence between the once-dominant Islamic civilization and the rapidly advancing West. Lewis explores the 'anguished reaction' of Muslim intellectuals and leaders as they grappled with their increasing powerlessness and the encroaching influence of European powers. The book dissects various attempts at reform, adaptation, and resistance, analyzing the internal societal dynamics, religious interpretations, and external pressures that shaped these responses. Far from offering simple answers, Lewis provides a nuanced, scholarly exploration of the complex factors—political, economic, military, and cultural—that contributed to the perceived decline and the profound questioning of identity within the Islamic world, a legacy that continues to resonate in contemporary global affairs.