Preface
THIS project began nearly fifteen years ago as a dissertation in history
at the University of California, Los Angeles. It may never be finished.
By now, however, most of the appropriate primary sources have been
identified, although they have only begun to be exploited. Nevertheless,
the following account is offered here as a kind of progress report in
the interests of communication and in the hope of receiving construc-
tive criticism.
Inspiration, training, and help have come from too many teachers
and friends to mention all of them here. Muhammad Shaban first
introduced me to the possibility of historical revision and of cultural
assimilation. Speros Vryonis and Nikki Keddie made me an historian.
I shall always be grateful for the early and continued support and
encouragement of Ira Lapidus and for the assistance of Richard Frye.
Thanks for helpful comments go to Richard Cooper, who read an
intermediate form of the chapter on administrative theory and practice,
and to Richard Bulliet and William Tucker, who took the trouble to
read the completed manuscript. They will recognize where I have taken
their advice; where I have not, I take the sole responsibility. Special
thanks go to Mahmood Ibrahim, who was the best research assistant
anyone could have;. to Noel Diaz, who prepared the maps; to Patricia
Wright, who helped with proofreading and indexing; and to Alice
Calaprice and the editorial staff of Princeton University Press. Appre-
ciation is also hereby expressed to all of those-family, colleagues,
and friends-whose impatience made me realize that there were others,
besides myself, with an interest in seeing this work completed. If this
book had a dedication, it would be to the memory of Gustave E. von
Grunebaum.
October 27, 1982IX