God's Crucible Islam and the Making of Europe, 570-1215
In the autumn of 732, two great armies, one Christian and one Muslim, faced off in France in an epic battle that would define European history. Supposedly, Charles Martel, the leader of the Franks, saved Christianity from Islam and stopped the Muslims from advancing beyond Spain. In chronicling the 400-year period of Muslim rule in Europe, from 711 to 1085, Lewis challenges many of the preconceptions that have dominated traditional history. In doing so, he puts Muslim Spain -- and its rich, vibrant heritage -- back into the very heart of European politics and culture. Lewis provides a remarkable portrait of Islamic Spain in all of its vivid historical detail. ¿A timely work that puts our current clash of civilizations into a much needed perspective.¿ Illus.