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The book "Hernando de Zafra, secretario de los Reyes Católicos: sus propiedades en Cubillas (Granada), según documentos árabes romanceados (1413–1493)" by Carmen Trillo San José and Manuel Espinar Moreno delves into the Romanized Arabic deeds detailing property transactions in the Cubillas farmstead near Granada's capital from 1413 to 1493. The authors highlight the scarcity of Andalusi sources in archives and the significance of these documents in understanding the social and economic aspects of the late Nasrid kingdom. The research focuses on Hernando de Zafra, his role in the Christian conquest, and the accumulation of his substantial estate across various locations in the kingdom. This work contributes valuable insights for Arabists and historians studying the Nasrid kingdom in the fifteenth century. [Extracted from the article]

"Kellis: A Roman-Period Village in Egypt's Dakhleh Oasis" is a comprehensive book edited by Colin A. Hope and Gillian E. Bowen that explores the archaeological findings and research conducted at the ancient village of Kellis. The book covers various aspects of life in the village, including domestic environments, religious practices, burial practices, and population. It provides valuable insights into the social, religious, and economic relationships of ordinary people during the late antique period. The book is well-illustrated and accessible to specialists in the field, but may require additional background knowledge for undergraduate students and scholars working outside of the specific subject area. [Extracted from the article]

This book review discusses Jessica O'Leary's recent publication, "Elite Women as Diplomatic Agents in Italy and Hungary, 1470–1510: Kinship and the Aragonese Network." The review praises O'Leary's research and analysis, noting that her concise monograph provides a wealth of evidence-based narrative. The book explores the role of elite women, specifically Eleonora and Beatrice d'Aragona, in navigating familial, marital, and political duties during the late 15th and early 16th centuries. O'Leary examines the sisters' abilities and how they were influenced by the dynastic system. The review highlights the importance of gendered negotiation and collaboration in premodern politics and diplomacy. [Extracted from the article]

This article is a book review of "Letters on Natural Philosophy: The Scientific Correspondence of a Sixteenth-Century Pharmacist, with Related Texts" by Camilla Erculiani, edited by Eleonora Carinci and translated by Hannah Marcus. The book provides translations of writings on natural philosophy by Camilla Erculiani, a female apothecary who worked in sixteenth-century Padua. Erculiani is the only documented woman from this time period who published her own views on natural philosophy and was investigated for the orthodoxy of her ideas. The book explores Erculiani's life and writings, shedding light on the opportunities and limitations of women's intellectual lives in Renaissance Italy. [Extracted from the article]

This book review discusses the publication "Examens, grades et diplômes. La validation des compétences par les universités du XIIe siècle à nos jours," which examines the history of examinations, grades, and university diplomas from the 12th century to the present. The book includes thirty studies that cover various topics such as certification of university education, examination methods, university selection, and the social function of university certification. The reviewer praises the book for its comprehensive and diverse collection of works, as well as its rigorous and multidisciplinary approach. The book is recommended for researchers seeking a broader understanding of university and higher education history. [Extracted from the article]

Anne Wolf's book, "Ben Ali's Tunisia: Power and Contention in an Authoritarian Regime," offers a unique perspective on authoritarianism and Tunisia. The book explores how an institutionalized authoritarian system, like that of Ben Ali's regime, functions and changes. Wolf argues that political change can be the result of contention from within the authoritarian institutions of power, rather than solely anti-regime protests. The book sheds light on the inner workings of power and the complex dynamics within the regime. It also emphasizes the role of internal regime officials in the downfall of the regime, challenging the traditional narrative of "people power" in the Arab uprisings. Overall, the book provides valuable insights into the Tunisian experience of regime change and offers a compelling analysis of power and contention in authoritarian regimes. [Extracted from the article]

"Plantation Worlds" by Maan Barua explores the impact of tea plantations in Assam on the landscape, Adivasis, and elephants. The book challenges totalizing narratives of the Anthropocene, highlighting the uneven distribution of harm caused by plantation logics. Barua's interdisciplinary approach combines environmental history, anthropology, political economy, and conservation policy to analyze the ecological and social consequences of plantation economies in Assam. The book calls for a reevaluation of conservation efforts and proposes decolonial cartographies as a counter to the challenges posed by the Plantationocene. [Extracted from the article]

The book review discusses "Lives Amid Violence: Transforming Development in the Wake of Conflict" by Mareike Schomerus, highlighting the author's critical reflections on international development in post-conflict environments. Schomerus emphasizes the need to shift development interventions towards the real needs of insecure communities and challenges traditional approaches to capacity building and quantitative indicators. The review praises the book for its well-researched content but notes the lack of concrete solutions, prompting readers to question broader issues of international governance and economics. [Extracted from the article]

The book review discusses the collective monograph "Soft Power in Central Asia: The Politics of Influence and Seduction," edited by Kirill Nourzhanov and Sebastien Peyrouse. The book explores the concept of soft power in Central Asia, examining the economic, political, and security objectives of various actors in the region. It analyzes the soft power strategies of the United States, Russia, China, Turkey, Israel, and the European Union, as well as the responses of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan to these powers. The review highlights the need for further research on Central Asia's shifting alliances and geopolitical dynamics. [Extracted from the article]

"The Practice of Canaanite Cult: The Middle and Late Bronze Ages" by Matthew Susnow is a comprehensive study of Canaanite religion during the Middle and Late Bronze Ages in the southern Levant. Susnow examines the temples and open-air cultic spaces, their architecture, and their integration into the surrounding landscapes. He also analyzes the activities that took place within the temples and explores the religious ideology and practices of the Canaanites. The book provides valuable insights into Canaanite religion and will be useful for researchers studying religion and cult in ancient societies. [Extracted from the article]

The book "Blackness in Morocco: Gnawa identity through music and visual culture" by Cynthia J. Becker explores the history and cultural significance of Blackness in Morocco, particularly through the lens of Gnawa practice. The book examines how the category of Gnawa emerged as a cultural and political understanding of blackness, encompassing music, spiritual practice, and ancestral connections to West Africa. Becker analyzes the representation of Gnawa in postcards and popular media, the visual and material aspects of Gnawa spirit possession ceremonies, and the commercialization and transformation of Gnawa in present-day Morocco. The book raises important questions about race, identity, and the historical influence of slavery in Morocco. [Extracted from the article]

"Beatrice's Last Smile: A New History of the Middle Ages" by Mark Gregory Pegg is a book that explores the development of a specifically Western idea of the self during the Middle Ages. Pegg argues that Christianity played a central role in shaping this idea, eradicating other religious understandings and influencing the rise of penitential culture and the concept of Purgatory. The book presents a history of ideas about holiness and humanity in the Western Roman Empire, but some critics argue that it is limited by its premises and assumptions, neglecting other practices and ideas in the region. Overall, "Beatrice's Last Smile" offers a sweeping and engaging narrative of medieval history, but should be viewed as an incomplete view of the whole. [Extracted from the article]

"Claiming the City: A Global History of Workers' Fight for Municipal Socialism" by Shelton Stromquist is a comprehensive and groundbreaking book that explores the history of socialist municipalism around the world. The book focuses on the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with case studies from countries such as Great Britain, Germany, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Stromquist examines how socialists in different countries pursued similar goals, such as public control of municipal services and improving living conditions in cities. The book also challenges the notion that grassroots socialist internationalism disappeared after World War I, highlighting the continued resistance and working-class solidarity at the local level. While the book could benefit from a clearer explanation of its methodology and more discussion on race and empire, it provides a valuable contribution to the literature on Second International socialism and opens up avenues for further research in global left, labor, and urban history. [Extracted from the article]

Paul Nicholas Vogt's book "Kingship, Ritual, and Royal Ideology in Western Zhou China" is a significant contribution to early preimperial Chinese history, utilizing philological analysis, historical methodology, GIS-based visualization, and anthropological theory. The book explores Western Zhou royal rituals based on inscriptions on excavated bronze vessels, shedding light on the management of relationships with local powerholders and elite hierarchy. Vogt's study suggests that the "Zhou Rituals" evolved over time, reflecting changes in political, economic, and demographic contexts, ultimately shaping social identities within the Zhou elite. The book is recommended for scholars and students interested in Chinese social and religious practices, state formation, political ideology, and material culture, offering valuable insights for further research and cross-cultural comparisons. [Extracted from the article]

Ian Derbyshire's book, "Railways' Economic Impact on Uttar Pradesh and Colonial North India (1860–1914): The Iron Raj," is a comprehensive study that examines the effect of railways on the economy of north India. The book covers various aspects of railway development in the region, including pre-railway trade and transport constraints, financing railways, and the competition faced by railways from other modes of transit. Derbyshire's analysis includes both rural and urban economies, using macro and micro sources to draw a complex picture of the economic impact of railways. The book argues for a positive impact on urban centers and highlights the role of administrative decisions in shaping colonial economies. Overall, it provides a balanced and nuanced interpretation of the railway's impact on the economy of colonial north India. [Extracted from the article]

This book review discusses "Juan Rena and the Frontiers of Spanish Empire, 1500–1540" by José M. Escribano-Páez. The book examines the life of Juan Rena, a Venetian subject who worked for the Spanish monarchy in the early 16th century. Rena played a significant role in negotiations and provisioning for Spain's possessions in North Africa, as well as the conquest of Navarre. The author uses extensive archival research to reconstruct Rena's life and highlight the complexities of Spanish empire-building in the Western Mediterranean. The review suggests that Rena's case could be further explored to understand the dynamics between competing Mediterranean powers and the intersections of Catholicism and empire during this time period. [Extracted from the article]

In the book "Sunni City: Tripoli from Islamist Utopia to the Lebanese 'Revolution'" by Tina Gade, the author explores the complexities of contentious politics and urban violence in Tripoli, Lebanon. Gade challenges the perception of Tripoli as a hub for terrorism and investigates why secondary cities like Tripoli exhibit a higher propensity for unrest and activism compared to their capitals. The book delves into Tripoli's socio-political landscape, highlighting the crisis of leadership within Sunni majority urban spaces in the Middle East. Gade also introduces the concept of "city corporatism" to analyze the drivers of urban violence in Tripoli and emphasizes the agency of local political leaders in shaping contentious politics. While the book focuses on Tripoli's history and regional dynamics, some readers may question the inclusion of excluded groups and non-sectarian movements in the city's narrative. Overall, "Sunni City" provides valuable insights into Tripoli's evolution amidst regional unrest and offers a comprehensive understanding of the city's politics and its implications for the broader Middle East. [Extracted from the article]

Copyright of Historische Zeitschrift is the property of De Gruyter and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This article, titled "Toward a Godless Dominion: Unbelief in Interwar Canada," explores the phenomenon of unbelief in Canada during the interwar period. The author, Elliot Hanowski, examines the historical context of this period, which was marked by World War I, labor unrest, a worldwide pandemic, economic depression, and the rise of fascism in Europe. Hanowski argues that unbelief in Canada was not uniform and took various forms across the country. He also highlights the influence of British, American, French, and continental European sources on the development of unbelief in different regions of Canada. The article documents the transition of Canada from a predominantly Christian nation to a secular society, and emphasizes the slow process of secularization and the growing acceptance of divergent ideas during this time. The author also discusses the social and legal consequences faced by individuals who expressed unbelief, as well as the role of organizations defending Christendom. Hanowski's analysis suggests that the contemporary "Godless Dominion" in Canada is a result of a more receptive social imaginary rather than more convincing arguments put forth by the New Atheists. [Extracted from the article]

The article is a book review of "Empire of Salons: Conquest and Community in Early Modern Ottoman Lands" by Helen Pfeifer. The book challenges the traditional view of salons in early modern Europe as prime drivers of social and political change. Pfeifer argues that Ottoman salons were more constrained and exclusive, with women generally excluded and a self-consciously Islamic ideological frame. The book explores the complex etiquette and intellectual rules of engagement in Ottoman salons, highlighting the importance of hierarchy and distinction. Pfeifer's study sheds light on elite social practices in the Ottoman Empire and contributes to debates on state formation in the early modern period. [Extracted from the article]

Leonid Livak's book, "Études sur l'histoire culturelle de l'émigration russe en France (1920–1950)," challenges the traditional view of Russian émigrés in Paris as isolated and lonely. Livak argues that their perceived isolation was actually a deliberate intellectual position that aligned with European intellectual trends at the time. The book is divided into two parts, examining the cultural exchanges between Russian and French elites and the impact of Russian modernism in Paris. Livak's work sheds light on the transnational intellectual history of the Russian diaspora and challenges assumptions about their political futility. [Extracted from the article]

Copyright of Historische Zeitschrift is the property of De Gruyter and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Historische Zeitschrift is the property of De Gruyter and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Sevgi Adak's book, "Anti-Veiling Campaigns in Turkey: State, Society, and Gender in the Early Republic," examines the regulations surrounding the use of the veil and chador in the early years of the Turkish republic. Adak argues that the anti-veil campaigns were intentionally decentralized, involving local administrators and elites as critical actors. The book also highlights women's active role in responding to these campaigns and proposing alternatives to the chador. Adak explores the broader political debates and struggles of the period and provides a nuanced analysis of women's attitudes towards the veil and chador. The book encourages reflection on the ongoing dynamics between women and the republic and invites further exploration of these complexities. [Extracted from the article]

"About England" by David Matless is a book that explores the cultural markers and events that have shaped the social history of post-World War Two England. The book is organized thematically, covering topics such as racial tensions within Englishness, the impact of the First World War on local identities, the suburban middle-class anxieties, the peculiarities of English architectural and landscape style, the contested role of heritage preservation, and the changing landscape of postwar modernism. Matless draws from his own experiences growing up in a suburb of Nottingham, providing a personal perspective on the subject. While the book offers valuable insights into the national psyche and culture, it is important to recognize that the author's vision of England may differ from those raised in different regions or time periods. [Extracted from the article]

"A Magpie's Tale: Ethnographic and Historical Perspectives on the Kazakh of Western Mongolia" by Anna Odland Portisch offers a detailed account of a Kazakh family in Bayan-Ölgii province, Mongolia, highlighting their complex history and transnational connections. The book delves into the family's origins, spanning across modern nation-states like Mongolia, Kazakhstan, China, and Russia, shedding light on their turbulent past and migration patterns. Through personal narratives, the author successfully demonstrates how this family's history intertwines with broader global histories, challenging the notion of Bayan-Ölgii as an isolated place and showcasing its significance in the geopolitical landscape of Central and Inner Asia. [Extracted from the article]

"Mussolini's Theatre: Fascist Experiments in Art and Politics" by Patricia Gaborik is a deeply researched study that explores the role of theater in Mussolini's regime. The author challenges previous interpretations that dismissed Mussolini as a manipulative performer and argues that plays provided a venue for exploring the values and aspirations of the Italian dictator. The book also examines Mussolini's patronage of avant-garde art theaters, his collaboration with leading figures in the opera world, and the regime's censorship policies. While the book could benefit from more contextualization and clearer analytical categories, it provides valuable information for scholars in theatrical studies. [Extracted from the article]

Michelle DiMeo's book, "Lady Ranelagh: The Incomparable Life of Robert Boyle's Sister," aims to provide a more integrated portrait of Katherine Jones, Lady Ranelagh, who is often known as the sister of the natural philosopher Robert Boyle. DiMeo confronts the challenge of limited sources by mining epistolary archives and manuscript texts on medical remedies to shed light on Ranelagh's life and how she was perceived by contemporaries. Ranelagh's life was not typical for her class, as she was involved in political, theological, and philosophical reform and had a close relationship with Boyle. This book offers insights into Ranelagh's role in Boyle's natural philosophy and her unique position as an intellectually and socially engaged aristocratic woman of the time. [Extracted from the article]