Abstract
This book, based on a Ph D. thesis submitted to Harvard University, is a work focusing on 'ulama'. The main field and period it discusses are indicated in the subtitle, 11th century Baghdad. The madrasa (Islamic institutions for higher learning) such as the famous Nizamiyya College is also important subject relating to 'ulama'. The main feature of this work, which has to be initially concerned, is that it is a recent work concentrating on inter-disciplinary method and analysis. It should be noted that this book compares well with works like those of R. P. Mottahedeh, I. M. Lapidus, and most recently by M. Chamberlain. The author's ability to apply political and sociological approaches is easily recognized. However, it should be said regretfully that this advantage is not always developed in the work as a matter of central concern. After indicating the book's contents below, I will give detailed review of its analysis.
