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

Holland's detailed account sheds light on a time that's often simplified or overlooked. I'm curious what drew him to this era and how he approached balancing different perspectives.

The way the rise of Islam intersected with empire-building felt both groundbreaking and complex. I wonder how readers with different backgrounds interpret these events.

With so many conflicting accounts from that time, I’m interested in knowing what guided Holland’s choices in storytelling and source selection.