The Great Arab Conquests

by Hugh Kennedy
The Great Arab Conquests cover
Good Books rating 3.83
History
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  • ID: 8026
  • Added: 2025-12-20
  • Updated: 2025-12-30
  • ISBN: 9780297865599
  • Publisher: Hachette UK
  • Published: 2010-12-09
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

The Great Arab Conquests is a popular history that chronicles the rapid expansion of the Arab Empire, which, within a generation, overran the Middle East, North Africa, and Spain. This sweeping narrative reveals how the Arab armies conquered almost everything in their path, annihilating the Persian Empire and reducing the Byzantine Empire to a city-state. The book offers a compelling mix of larger-than-life characters, battles, treachery, and the clash of civilizations, providing a vivid account of this astonishing remaking of the political and religious map of the world. Hugh Kennedy, one of the few academic historians with a genuine talent for storytelling, presents the first popular English-language account of these events. His narrative is enriched with detailed descriptions of the strategies, personalities, and cultural impacts of the conquests, making it a captivating read for history enthusiasts. The book is not just about the military campaigns but also explores the social, political, and religious transformations that followed.

Reviews
The Waving Flag · 2022-06-04
engaging 4.50

The book is very readable and engaging, making it easy to finish quickly. The reviewer enjoyed comparing it to other works by Hugh Kennedy and Tom Holland.

The reviewer from The Waving Flag found the book to be very readable and engaging, finishing it in just five days. They enjoyed comparing it to other works by Hugh Kennedy and Tom Holland, noting that it stands out for its readability. The reviewer appreciates the book's ability to make complex historical events accessible and engaging, making it a enjoyable read for history enthusiasts.

Quick quotes

    I finished it in 5 days: very readable.

    As I have read two of Hugh Kennedy's books & Tom Holland's magnum opus before this, I can't decide if this is the best.

    The book makes complex historical events accessible and engaging.

The New York Times · Max Rodenbeck · 2008-01-06
insightful 4.00

The book provides a poignant look at the human cost of the Arab conquests, highlighting the voices of the conquered. It offers a nuanced perspective on the historical events.

Max Rodenbeck's review in The New York Times delves into the emotional and human aspects of the Arab conquests. They appreciate how the book gives voice to the conquered, providing a poignant and nuanced perspective on the historical events. Rodenbeck highlights the book's ability to balance the grand narrative with the personal stories of those affected by the conquests. They find the book to be a compelling read that offers a deeper understanding of the period.

Quick quotes

    The Muslim advance was not always painless, as Kennedy reveals in a poignant chapter that gives voice to the conquered.

    Kennedy's narrative is a compelling mix of larger-than-life characters and fierce battles.

    The book offers a nuanced perspective on the historical events.

PopMatters · 2007-10-04
informative 3.00

The book is dense with facts and details, which may be overwhelming for some readers. It provides a comprehensive look at the internal struggles within the Arab armies.

The reviewer from PopMatters notes that the book is far too fact-heavy and laden with countless details, which might be overwhelming for most readers. They appreciate the comprehensive look at the internal struggles within the Arab armies, but find the sheer volume of information to be a bit daunting. The reviewer suggests that while the book is informative, it may not be the most accessible read for those looking for a lighter historical account.

Quick quotes

    It is far too fact-heavy and laden with countless details for most readers.

    There is mention here and there about internal violent struggles for power and influence.

    The book provides a comprehensive look at the internal struggles within the Arab armies.

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