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In the Shadow of the Sword

The Battle for Global Empire and the End of the Ancient World

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In the Shadow of the Sword

By: Tom Holland
Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble
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About this listen

In the 6th century AD, the Near East was divided between two venerable empires: the Persian and the Roman. A hundred years on and one had vanished forever, while the other seemed almost finished. Ruling in their place were the Arabs: an upheaval so profound that it spelt, in effect, the end of the ancient world. In The Shadow of the Sword, Tom Holland explores how this came about. Spanning from Constantinople to the Arabian desert, and starring some of the most remarkable rulers who ever lived, he tells a story vivid with drama, horror, and startling achievement.

©2012 Tom Holland (P)2012 Hachette Digital Ancient Ancient History Imperialism Crusade

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Critic reviews

Holland's new book traces the process by which the world of the first millennium came to be dominated by one God, three religions and an innumerable succession of emperors (Dan Jones)
It is difficult not to be bedazzled by a cast that includes ulcerated Christian holy men, Zoroastrian priests obsessed with dental hygiene, demonic emperors, barbarians with self-inflicted cranial deformities and Arab ambassadors stinking of camel (Richard Miles)
Holland is a restless wanderer across the ancient world, both geographically and intellectually... A dazzling range of characters... Holland is a skilful and energetic narrator, and while he guides us along the more intricate twists and turns of the period, he also keeps our eyes on the bigger story (Anthony Sattin)
Holland leaves almost no aspect of the traditional story of Islam intact as he charts its rise to global power from the ashes of the Roman and Persian empires (Bryan Appleyard)
A work of history, trying to tell the truth, as modern historians understand that fraught concept... A gripping, colourful book (Charles Moore)
A handsome volume, tackling an important question from a novel perspective, backed by useful notes and written in an accessible and fluid style (Michael Scott)
A brave and valuable attempt to train the lens of popular history upon an exceptionally contentious field of study... elegant and entertaining... In the Shadow of the Sword stands as a useful, and sometimes provocative, starting point for anyone interested in approaching the birth of Islam from a historical, rather than devotional, perspective (Thomas Ashbridge)
Elegantly written and refreshingly free from specialist jargon... marshalling its resources with dexterity, it is a veritable tour de force (Malise Ruthven)
Those unwilling to struggle through academic texts have long needed a guide to the story of Islam as it's understood by those with the fullest access to the latest linguistic and archaeological evidence. Now at last in Tom Holland's In the Shadow of the Sword, they finally have it (David Frum)
All stars
Most relevant  
Not quite as well written as dominion, however it’s still a fabulous book about parts of time which are rarely told to British audiences. Very interesting.

Very interesting narrative of early and developing Islamic world

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excellent and detailed insight into the collapsing classical world and the power of religion taking shape amongst the waring peoples

superb

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Tom Holland never lets me down and this is another classic. I like most of all his writing style; portentous and grand without becoming hackneyed. Jonathon Keeble as narrator is the cherry on the top. I first encountered him reading Jonathon Strange and his innate gravitas lends itself well to Holland’s writing. Brilliant.

Absolutely solid as usual.

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Just read In The Shadow of the Sword by Tom Holland. Aspects of this book have caused controversy amongst some learned Muslims. I am a Catholic but I have equal respect for Islam (and for that matter Judaism). For that reason, I will not comment on the controversial passages and my rating (5 stars) excludes the controversial issues. This may appear a strange decision but in reality the passages in question are few. Moreover, it is my view, that issues relating to Islam are best represented by Muslims themselves and the same applies to Judaism & Christianity; followers of our respective religions should have the final (if not only) word on matters relating to our religions. Otherwise, this account of the end of the Roman and Persian empires and the Arab conquests is fascinating. In the West, the Persian empires are not given equal weight to the Roman (and Byzantium) empire. Tom Holland gives a more balanced representation of these great ancient empires and suggests the reasons for their downfall and the swift and unexpected Arab (and Islamic) conquests of lands formerly under Roman & Persian empires. Much is said about the differences and conflicts between our great religions and of course an historical account will bring these to the fore. However, there is also a link and common ground between the monotheistic faiths. This book is relevant to current times but does it assist in bringing these faiths closer together with mutual respect or does it highlight the differences ?

In The Shadow of the Sword

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It's just a bit meh. I was really interested in this book but frequently lost concentration and nodded off. I'm not sure I learned that much and my overall feeling was that it shied away from any serious investigation of the faith for no doubt reasons of self preservation. Wanted to love it, but didn't

Meh

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I think I will have to read his several times before I have a grasp of this story.
Too many names places etc.

Hard going

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this book is a fascinating journey through the origins of Islam, and because the muslim sources are so few in regard of the actual birth of Islam, the author looks to the other civilizations surrounding it's cradle at the time to find clues as to what is true and what is fictional addition from later periods.



great narrator, thorough research. An intricate narrative that fits the complex cultural currents clashing at that time in that place.



highly recommend it!

enlightening!

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Would you consider the audio edition of In the Shadow of the Sword to be better than the print version?

I've got the hardback copy too, which is a joy to read but because of the length of it and my busy schedule it got the audio version to help me along..

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, its long and demands all of your attention but its definitely worth it.

Any additional comments?

I've been a fan of Tom Holland for a while and this book has only cemented my admiration of his qualities as a historian and writer even further.

I didn't want it to end

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I had long suspected much of what was written about Islam. It is apparent from reading the Quran and a knowledge of the contemporary history. In an eloquent well researched and never insulting manner this book expands this history. You will delight in the weaving of middle eastern and tribal history to make the development of Islam contemporary and not as mysteriously isolated as it seems.Listened to this book twice.

Worthwhile listen

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Ad ever a joy and it opened my eye to a new way of looking at political and cultural change .

The research and the thinking about the reality of the times

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