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In the Shadow of the Sword
- The Battle for Global Empire and the End of the Ancient World
- Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble
- Length: 17 hrs and 50 mins
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Publisher's Summary
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.
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- Trevor sawatzky
- 2021-01-08
It's great
Book is great if you like history. I flew through this audiobook in like 4 days
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- Alexandre Lariviere
- 2019-11-07
Solid Performance, story jumps a bit
Feels like the story jumps too much, going from different geographical areas and times without much warning. Narrator did a good job
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- Mat
- 2023-04-23
Interesting but wish the argument was a it clearer at times
I enjoyed this book.it provides a really interesting look at the origins of Islam. Maybe it is the academic in me but I wish there was slightly more discussion of sources but imsuremost listeners will be glad that is not in there. Enjoyable
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- Sarah Jane Engineer
- 2022-06-20
EXTREMELY INTERESTING:
Fascinating and highly informative .
I believe that it's very important for truth to out there and assessable.
I have no wish to be controversial but so many people claim to practice a religion which in truth they know little about. Here I am referring to any specific religion.
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- Devon Monkhouse
- 2021-01-19
Extremely interesting and engaging.
Perhaps the best way to describe Holland is "A Fantasy novel fan's first history book" He uses the most sensationalist versions of any story and then adds a little on top.
Can't not love it. He makes History so approachable, interesting and engaging. Buyer Beware, this is a starting point in the journey of history not the last stop. It will light the fires to know more.
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- Craig B
- 2022-03-25
Outstanding
Tom Holland reads like poetry. I listened to Shadow of the Sword after Dominion....both books opened my eyes and answered many questions I had regarding organized religion. I believe more now than ever that faith and religion are two separate things.
I'm a fuller person by my better understanding of the evolution of Christianity, Judaism, Islam and paganism and their effect on humanity.
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- Phil Webster
- 2019-05-23
An amazing look at the end of the ancient world
An epic as well told and fascinating as any modern story, no matter how fantastical.
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- Rizalde Dequilla
- 2018-05-25
Best material for History of Christianity .
I already took numerous history courses in the university on this subject that this book is still amazed me to hear it again that serves as my personal refresher course. Thanks for making this available to me.
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- Judy Lyoness
- 2023-08-10
Not accurate about Christian history
While the narration is good, the writer has studied only one side of his argument and presents a very skewed version of Christian history. It sounded like apologetics for the Muslim faith.
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1 person found this helpful