I don't know why I subject myself to reading dense, detailed "phone book" history books with too many people and events to keep straight. The book is a great text book for students and professionals exploring 5th - 7th century accounts from all sides of the rise of the Islamic empire. I had no previous exposure to Persian, Byzantine, or North African history of that era, so it was very enlightening. And I appreciate the summary at the end describing the survival of non-Arabic languages. Our common understanding, history, and popular culture was written by the victors and this important book points out some inconvenient facts that are intrinsically interesting. 3/5 Stars, worth the intensity.
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