Race And Slavery In The Middle East: An Histori... Access

: Lewis addresses why there are relatively few descendants of African slaves in the Middle East today compared to the Americas. He attributes this to high mortality rates, low birth rates, and the frequent castration of male slaves. Critical Reception

: Lewis argues that Westerners often idealized Islamic slavery to criticize American practices, but he presents evidence that racial prejudice—specifically against black Africans—was present in Middle Eastern society despite Islamic teachings of equality. Unique Features of Middle Eastern Slavery : Race and Slavery in the Middle East: An Histori...

Lewis examines how slavery functioned differently in Islamic lands compared to the transatlantic trade, while also highlighting the evolution of racial prejudice in the region. : Lewis addresses why there are relatively few

Reviewers from the Journal of Social History and The New York Times have praised Lewis for his detailed use of primary sources, including Arabic and Persian literature, to show how prejudice often "won out over pious sentiments". However, some critics suggest the book focuses heavily on elite households and could have benefited from a deeper look at the broader assimilation of races in Islamic empires. Race and Slavery in the Middle East - Bernard Lewis Unique Features of Middle Eastern Slavery : Lewis

In his 1990 work, renowned historian Bernard Lewis explores the complex social structures of the Middle East, specifically debunking the myth that the region was a "racial utopia". Core Arguments & Themes

: Unlike the rigid racial castes in the Americas, slaves in the Middle East could occasionally rise to significant power and renown, such as the Mamluk military commanders.

: Until the early 20th century, slaves included both white Europeans (such as Slavs and Circassians) and black Africans.