Common section

In the Shadow of the Sword: The Birth of Islam and the Rise of the Global Arab Empire

In the Shadow of the Sword: The Birth of Islam and the Rise of the Global Arab Empire

A thrillingly panoramic and incredibly timely account of the rise of Islam, from the acclaimed author of Rubicon and Persian Fire.
 
The evolution of the Arab empire is one of the supreme narratives of ancient history, a story dazzlingly rich in drama, character, and achievement. In this exciting and sweeping history—the third in his trilogy of books on the ancient world—Holland describes how the Arabs emerged to carve out a stupefyingly vast dominion in a matter of decades, overcoming seemingly insuperable odds to create an imperial civilization aspects of which endure to the present day. With profound bearing on the most consequential events of our time, Holland ties the exciting story of Islam’s ascent to the crises and controversies of the present.

Part I - INTRODUCTION

Chapter 1. KNOWN UNKNOWNS

Part II - JAHILIYYA

Chapter 2. IRANSHAHR

Chapter 3. NEW ROME

Chapter 4. THE CHILDREN OF ABRAHAM

Chapter 5. COUNTDOWN TO APOCALYPSE

Part III - HIJRA

Chapter 6. MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS

Chapter 7. THE FORGING OF ISLAM

ENVOI: PLUS ÇA CHANGE?

Timeline

Dramatis Personae

Glossary

Notes

Bibliography

Illustrations

If you find an error or have any questions, please email us at admin@erenow.org. Thank you!