Sword and Scimitar Audiobook By Raymond Ibrahim, Victor Davis Hanson - foreword cover art

Sword and Scimitar

Fourteen Centuries of War between Islam and the West

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Sword and Scimitar

By: Raymond Ibrahim, Victor Davis Hanson - foreword
Narrated by: John McLain
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About this listen

A sweeping history of the often-violent conflict between Islam and the West, shedding a revealing light on current hostilities

The West and Islam - the sword and scimitar - have clashed since the 17th century, when, according to Muslim tradition, the Roman emperor rejected Prophet Muhammad's order to abandon Christianity and convert to Islam, unleashing a centuries-long jihad on Christendom.

Sword and Scimitar chronicles the decisive battles that arose from this ages-old Islamic jihad, beginning with the first major Islamic attack on Christian land in 636 through the Muslim occupation of nearly three quarters of Christendom which prompted the Crusades, followed by renewed Muslim conquests by Turks and Tatars to the European colonization of the Muslim world in the 1800s, when Islam largely went on the retreat - until its reemergence in recent times. Using original sources in Arabic and Greek, preeminent historian Raymond Ibrahim describes each battle in vivid detail and explains how these wars and the larger historical currents of the age reflect the cultural fault lines between Islam and the West.

The majority of these landmark battles - including the battles of Yarmuk, Tours, Manzikert, the sieges at Constantinople and Vienna, and the crusades in Syria and Spain - are now forgotten or considered inconsequential. Yet today, as the West faces a resurgence of this enduring Islamic jihad, Sword and Scimitar provides the needed historical context to understand the current relationship between the West and the Islamic world - and why the Islamic State is merely the latest chapter of an old history.

©2018 Raymond Ibrahim (P)2018 Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Ancient Christianity Europe History Islam Middle East Military Religious Intolerance Religious Studies Turkey World Crusade Ottoman Empire Imperialism War Royalty
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Impeccably Researched • Comprehensive History • Excellent Narration • Engaging Storytelling • Informative Content
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Along with a couple of other books I've read in my lifetime, this book has had a profound impact on not only my knowledge of Islam & Christianity, and the interactions between these two belief systems in the world, but a refreshed and renewed perspective on the current state of geopolitics, especially as it pertains to interactions between the West and Islam. This book is truly a must read for anyone interested in this topic.

The stories are at simultaneously, informative, brutal, and--in my opinion--inspiring. The stories told within have inspired me to probe more deeply the origins of Christianity, and in particular, the specifics of Byzantine Christianity.

Furthermore, I've never felt so well-informed regarding Western military history, the geopolitical forces that have lead us to our current state of being, and about the state of modern Islam.

Simply put, I can't recommend this book enough.

Spectacular!

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A terrifying but terrifyingly accurate account of the very real animosity Islam possess of us Westerners, particularly Christians. Want to be enlightened about what is really going on, read Sword and Scimitar!

Must read for ALL Westerners!

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A very detailed and elaborate history recounting the great struggle between liberty and terrible captivity.

An informative and necessary read

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I got this book and and really did not know what to expect. Wow. this is a must read.

One of the most important books you'll ever read

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This is the truth, but the truth is difficult. Those that think Islam wariness is Islamaphopia will be the ruin of the west. The religion can be practiced peacefully, as is demonstrated by billions of Muslims today. However, the ideology is one of violence and political/social control of the world, that is the reality of it. Forewarned is forearmed.
Pretty long book that emphasizes the same unfortunate thing.

Kinda depressing...

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An I sightful journey into the historical landscape of our current fight with Islamic extremists. An eye opening account of historical islamic fanaticism and violence. Made my blood boil in multiple occasions. Not a story for the light hearted.

The Definition of Historical Perspective

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I consider this a must read. Hopefully the unwitting will learn some history and prevent it from reoccurring.

Eye Opening

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The last pages of this much-needed book only hint at the battles that lay ahead. As noted historian George Santayana (and many others) has truly opined, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

Required survival manual for Christians while we await His return.

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Excellent book! I loved it. Full of rich detail and history that except for the biggest battles such as Constantinople and Vienna, I was largely unaware. Any history buff would enjoy this book.

Illuminating look at the history of this conflict

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This book should be required reading for everyone in the West. The complacency of Western civilization in the face of evil seems to repeat itself over and over. Everyone needs a reminder and it’s better to be reminded by these words than see the barbarism at your doorstep.

Required Reading

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