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"Picturing the Islamicate World: The Story of al-Istakhrī's Book of Routes and Realms" by Nadja Danilenko is a meticulously researched exploration of al-Istakhrī's tenth-century Book of Routes and Realms, a seminal work in Islamic geography. The book delves into the creation, evolution, and lasting impact of al-Istakhrī's work, tracing its translation and transmission into Persian and Ottoman Turkish. While the volume excels in analyzing cartographic details, it could benefit from a deeper exploration of the broader socio-political and cultural implications of al-Istakhrī's work beyond cartography and geography. Danilenko's interdisciplinary approach offers valuable insights into the significance of non-Western cartographic traditions in the global history of cartography, enriching our understanding of historical geography and diverse knowledge systems." [Extracted from the article]

"From Samarqand to Toledo: Greek, Sogdian and Arabic Documents and Manuscripts from the Islamicate World and Beyond" is a comprehensive volume edited by Andreas Kaplony and Matt Malczycki that explores the interactions between diverse regions from Central Asia to western Europe during the early Islamic centuries. The book, part of the Brill Islamic History and Civilization series, consists of seven chapters that shed light on historical and cultural interconnections through interdisciplinary research involving less-studied languages and topics. While the volume's specialized focus may limit accessibility to non-specialists, it serves as a critical strength in addressing significant gaps in Islamic history studies and inspiring new avenues for research within the field of Islamic studies and archaeology. [Extracted from the article]