The "golden age of Islam" in the eighth and ninth centuries was as significant to world history as the Roman Empire was in the first and second centuries. The rule of Baghdad's Abbasid Dynasty stretched from Tunisia to India, and its legacy influenced politics and society for years to come. In thi[...]

The Armies of the Caliphs is the first major study of the relationship between army and society in the early Islamic period, and reveals the pivotal role of the military in politics. Through a thorough examination of recruitment, payment, weaponry and fortifications in the armies, The Armies of the [...]

The Near East and Islamic society have never been so close to the forefront of international attention. In this time of conflict the Western population is increasingly eager to increase their knowledge of the regionAs past. This updated edition of Hugh KennedyAs popular introduction to the history o[...]

Proclaim the pilgrimage to all people. They will come on foot and on the backs of swift camels from distant corners of the earth. Quran, surat al-Hajj vs 27-30 It is a sacred duty for Muslims, wherever they may reside, to go at least once in their lives to Makkah, the heartland of Islam where the Pr[...]

Based on the National Geographic film "The Kennedy Mystique", this book chronicles how the first truly "media-genic" American political family crafted a public image that would make them outstanding icons of the twentieth century. More than 150 colour and black and white photographs tell a unique ve[...]

The reign of al-Muqtadir (295-320/908-32) is a crucial epoch in Abbasid history. Four scholars question the picture of decline attached to this period, exploring the formal and informal power relationships that shaped politics at the court of this caliph.[...]