Covers the history of the near east from the birth of Muhammad to the fall of the Umayyad and Abbasid caliphates, allowing students to trace the history of Islam and be introduced to the historiographical debates surround its rise and collapse.

The text is supported by genealogical tables and maps which provide strong background information for students who have not previously studied near east history before.

Coverage of eastern Iran and Central Asia, including dynasties like the Seljuks, the Samanids and Ghaznevids, has been greatly expanded giving students the benefit of comprehensive coverage of the region.