'This book should long be the standard work on the subject for students, specialists and general readers.' - Gerald Hawting, Times Literary Supplement'... a lucid exploration of the role of the military in early Islamic society... This is a very important book based on a careful and original reading of the sources. It constitutes a major addition to our understanding of early Islamic society.' - John France, History, July 2003

• Part 1 The conquests and after : Muslimarmies, 11–64/632–83; Part 2 The Armies of the Marwanid Period, 64-132/683-750: Recruitment, Leadership and Tactics; Part 3 The Payment of the Military in the Early Islamic State; Part 4 Early ‘Abbasid Warfare, 132–218/750–833; Part 5 The Armies O F Samarra, 218–56/833–70; Part 6 The Last Armies of The Caliphs, 256–324/870–936; Part 7 Weapons and Equipment I N Early Muslim Armies; Part 8 Fortification and Siege Warfare; Part 9 Postscript;