---
product_id: 110837646
title: "In the Shadow of the Sword: The Birth of Islam and the Rise of the Global Arab Empire Kindle Edition"
brand: "tom holland"
price: "34.72 DT"
currency: TND
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 9
url: https://www.desertcart.tn/products/110837646-in-the-shadow-of-the-sword-the-birth-of-islam
store_origin: TN
region: Tunisia
---

# In the Shadow of the Sword: The Birth of Islam and the Rise of the Global Arab Empire Kindle Edition

**Brand:** tom holland
**Price:** 34.72 DT
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** In the Shadow of the Sword: The Birth of Islam and the Rise of the Global Arab Empire Kindle Edition by tom holland
- **How much does it cost?** 34.72 DT with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.tn](https://www.desertcart.tn/products/110837646-in-the-shadow-of-the-sword-the-birth-of-islam)

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- tom holland enthusiasts

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## Description

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## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    Great, Historical Analysis of the Beginnings of Islam
  

*by W***5 on Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2017*

A penetrating history that reads like a detective novel.  I have been doing a study of Islam for my own interest, do to all the things that we see in our lives that are evidently the result of people claiming to be dedicated Islamic followers.  This book was recommended to me by a friend that has been studying this subject for the 30 years he has lived and worked in the Middle East.  He was right, it  is a page turner.  The author keeps our interest from page one to the end of the book by building a case for his conclusion based on the available historical facts.  i have studied a lot of history but not so much about the late antiquity, and now i wish i had had the opportunity to read this book 20 years ago.  It combines textual criticism, historical analysis, geographical analysis, archaeology, .and enough theology to walk the reader through the analysis of the time frame.  i will not spill the beans on his tentative conclusion, but his conclusion does not matter so much as all the analysis that gets us there.  This is not a book about Islam, it is a book about the time period and historical context in which Islam showed up on earth, and why.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    Interesting word as applied to the Koran: "Filched"
  

*by M***S on Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2018*

I am reviewing the paperback edition.The index is substantial, the notes section is thorough, and the bibliography is outstanding.  Terrific work on the editing and publication.  I wish the publisher had included a few blank pages at the back for notetakers like me.Tom Holland establishes the evidence that Islam is a product of the ideas that were bubbling through the ancient middle east after the fall of the Roman and Persian empires. (58-59)  The caliphate of the 7th century was the last of the ancient empires.The first portion of the book (roughly the first 300 pages, including the introduction) develops the history and philosophies at play in that area of the world at that time.  This is fascinating and well-documented.Some interesting ideas developed in the second half of the book:- The Koran is the only documentation of Mohammad's life (341)- Some of the Koran is obviously filched from other major religions and philosophies. (341)- Only in Arabia of the 7th century did the ancient promiscuity of pagan and heretic cults endure. (355)- Mohammad intended to found a new empire (372).  The Koran supports this - men were to abandon their tribe and home and flock to God's standard, and therby inherit the earth. (373-374)- Twin themes in the Koran can be traced to palestine: War in the name of God + Contempt for earthly pleasures.  Conquering the world and scorning its seductions.  These were big ideas in Post-Roman palestine. (382)- Pilgrimages to Holy Sites was also fundamental to Palestinian worship trends in 7th century Palestine (403)- The Saracens and Franks lived as squatters in the ruins of vanished empires (405)- The "religion of truth" was knitted together from Jewish, Christian, Samaritan, Zoroastrian, and Manichaen philosophies that were part of the cultures of the palestinian area (406)- Religion is submission.  Religion is islam. (430)- Arab rule depended on the vanquished knowing their place.  Economically, defeated peoples were enslaved and taxed.  Conversions were not welcome because the economy of the new islamic empire depended on the infidel being enslaved/taxed.- Page 445 shows the Zoroastrian customs appropriated by Islam.- Islam grew out of Syria and Palestine, NOT Arabia or Mecca or the Fertile CRescent (384)Fascinating information about the "Constitution of Medina" on page 383.  The principles were:1) Consciously build an empire2) forge a new "umma" people3) fight in the path of God4) a starring role for Jews as believersIncredibly valuable research in this book.  I'm keeping it to re-read it

### ⭐ 







  
  
    Verbose, switch and bait, meanders from one point to another
  

*by J***L on Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2018*

I'm 20% through the audio-book and im fighting the urge to throw my phone out the window.  Not only has he not even touched on the subject of islam, let alone his thoughts on an alternative view on the origins of islam.  The subjects he has been rambling on about, the Persians and the Romans, he hasn't even kept on a clear point about them, just seems to be filling up pages with overly verbose statements which don't seem to be drawing to a clear point.  Very disappointed,i go through lots of audio-books since i commute alot and i never have the urge to write a comment.

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*Product available on Desertcart Tunisia*
*Store origin: TN*
*Last updated: 2026-01-27*