Craig Benjamin is Professor Emeritus of history at Grand Valley State University, Michigan, USA.

• Introduction: the battle for Inner Asia; 1. Inner Asia before the reunification of China (c. 400–581) 2. Reunification of China by the Sui and early Tang dynasties (581–650); 3. The High Tang and the Silk Roads (650–750); 4. Sogdians and the Silk Roads; 5. Islamic expansion into Inner Asia (632–750); 6. The battle for Inner Asia. Talas and the An Lushan rebellion; 7. The Abbasid Caliphate and the Silk Roads (750–c. 1000); 8. The maritime Silk Roads (c. 600–c. 1000); 9. China and Inner Asia after the An Lushan rebellion (756–c. 1000); Conclusion: the Silk Roads and world history.

Craig Benjamin is Professor Emeritus of history at Grand Valley State University, Michigan, USA.

• Introduction: the battle for Inner Asia; 1. Inner Asia before the reunification of China (c. 400–581) 2. Reunification of China by the Sui and early Tang dynasties (581–650); 3. The High Tang and the Silk Roads (650–750); 4. Sogdians and the Silk Roads; 5. Islamic expansion into Inner Asia (632–750); 6. The battle for Inner Asia. Talas and the An Lushan rebellion; 7. The Abbasid Caliphate and the Silk Roads (750–c. 1000); 8. The maritime Silk Roads (c. 600–c. 1000); 9. China and Inner Asia after the An Lushan rebellion (756–c. 1000); Conclusion: the Silk Roads and world history.