In The Shadow Of The Sword
The Battle for Global Empire and the End of the Ancient World
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4.0 • 8 Ratings
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- $4.99
Publisher Description
A SUNDAY TIMES TOP TEN BESTSELLER
'A stunning blockbuster' Robert Fisk
'A brilliant tour de force of revisionist scholarship and thrilling storytelling' Simon Sebag Montefiore
'A compelling detective story of the highest order' Sunday Times
'Tom Holland has an enviable gift for summoning up the colour, the individuals and animation of the past' Independent
In the 6th century AD, the Near East was divided between two venerable empires: the Persian and the Roman. A hundred years on and one had vanished forever, while the other seemed almost finished. Ruling in their place were the Arabs: an upheaval so profound that it spelt, in effect, the end of the ancient world. In the Shadow of the Sword explores how this came about. Spanning from Constantinople to the Arabian desert, and starring some of the most remarkable rulers who ever lived, he tells a story vivid with drama, horror, and startling achievement.
Customer Reviews
A good read, and highly relevant today
Tom Holland writes in a very engaging style, which is particularly important in such a broad and complex subject as this. He uses history to pull aside the fabric of mystery surrounding the development of the major so-called Abrahamic religions, and reveals the less edifying and somewhat tenuous underpinnings of their temporal authorities over millions of their followers. This is recommended reading for anyone truly interested in the roots of today's most antagonistic religions.