Short Synopsis
From the acclaimed author of Rubicon and Persian Fire comes In the Shadow of the Sword, a thrillingly panoramic and incredibly timely account of the rise of Islam.

Full Synopsis
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—Tom 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. 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.

"Narrator Steven Crossley reads with a magisterial British-accented voice that is both deep and decisive." ---AudioFile

"Elegantly written. . . . A veritable tour de force." ---The Wall Street Journal

"Smoothly composed history and fine scholarship." ---Kirkus