The Early Islamic Conquests by Fred Donner (1981): Certainly a bit dated, but one of the most comprehensive looks at the Islamic conquests of the seventh century as a whole. Donner very usefully dispels a number of Orientalist myths about the conquests, including the weakness of the “great empires” of antiquity and supposed ineffectiveness of Arab armies. (http://amzn.to/2guN2JC) Slaves on Horses: The Evolution of the Islamic Polity by Patricia Crone (1980): First, a warning: this book is not an easy read, but it is vital for understanding the problems associated with studying the early Islamic period. Crone demonstrates the problems of Islamic historiography, and how what evidence we have can – and can’t – be utilized to explain Early Islamic history through to the early ‘Abbasid period. (http://amzn.to/2zcr7ih) The First Dynasty of Islam: The Umayyad Caliphate by G.R. Hawting (most recent edition, 2000): There is, unfortunately, a dearth of particularly good survey works on the reign of the Umayyads, largely stemming from the fact that they are all quite dated. Hawting’s is among the best introduction to the first dynasty of Islam, however, and very much worth a read for a general overview of the period from 661-750CE. (http://amzn.to/2zeYZL8) ‘Abd al-Malik (Makers of the Islamic World Series) by Chase Robinson (2007): An introduction to the rule of one particularly famous Umayyad Caliph, Robinson is an excellent Arabist who explains just how vital the reign of ‘Abd al-Malik was for the development of an Islamic identity – and just how it seems it happened. Excellent use of both written sources and material culture, and very simply explained. (http://amzn.to/2gt8yhZ) The Early ‘Abbasid Caliphate: A Political History by Hugh Kennedy (1981): Another book that is a bit older, but extremely useful for a general understanding of how the ‘Abbasids came to power, how they legitimized themselves, and the reigns of the Caliphs themselves. (http://amzn.to/2xx6gsQ)

The Great Caliphs: The Golden Age of the ‘Abbasid Empire by Amira Bennison (2009): A more modern survey of the ‘Abbasid period which is extremely useful for discussing not only the reign of the Caliphs, but the great developments that the Islamic world underwent during this “golden age” of Islamic endeavor (science, philosophy, history, law, etc) Extremely readable and highly recommended. (http://amzn.to/2zdMtvs) Greek Thought, Arabic Culture: The Graeco-Arabic Translation Movement in Baghdad and Early ‘Abbasid Society by Dimitri Gutas (1998): For those who want to understand why the “dark ages” weren’t, in fact, so dark. Easily the best book currently available explaining how the translation of ancient works became patronized by Muslim elites and rulers, where the interest came from, and the impact it had in preserving a huge portion of classical culture that would likely have otherwise been lost. (http://amzn.to/2xxukvt) The Crusades: The Authoritative History of the War for the Holy Land by Thomas Asbridge: Asbridge is one of the leading modern scholars of the crusades, and this books is not only expansive in its scope, covering the crusading movement from genesis to the aftermath of the fall of Acre, but it is also quite readable. Plus it’s quite inexpensive for a scholarly work. Heavily focused on the Third Crusade, particularly on Saladin and Richard. (http://amzn.to/2xyfJei)