The youngest world religion, Islam, barely arose, began to decisively influence the balance of power in different countries on different continents. In the fifteen years that have passed since the death of the Prophet Muhammad in 632, his followers conquered all the centers of the ancient civilization of the Middle East. And in the next century, Muslim armies advanced to the borders of China on one side and to the borders of France on the other. Muslims easily broke the thousand-year-old trade, cultural, religious and political ties that connected the southern and northern shores of the Mediterranean Sea - and created a unique empire founded only on common religious principles. The phenomenon of the unifying power of Islam, the speed of its spread and its success is explored in this fascinating book by Hugh Kennedy.

A lively, dynamic description of one of the most interesting eras of world history! "Times"

Hugh Kennedy combines the depth of a scientist with the talent of a natural writer! Sunday Times