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The House of War

The Struggle between Christendom and the Caliphate

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The House of War

By: Simon Mayall
Narrated by: Simon Mayall
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Bloomsbury presents The House of War: The Struggle between Christendom and the Caliphate written and read by Simon Mayall.

A powerful new history detailing the most significant military clashes between Islam and Christendom over the 1,300 years of the Muslim caliphate.

From the taking of the holy city of Jerusalem in the 7th century AD by Caliph Umar, to the collapse of the Ottoman Empire following the end of World War I, Christian popes, emperors and kings, and Muslim caliphs and sultans were locked in a 1300-year battle for political, military, ideological, economic and religious supremacy.

In this powerful new history of the era, acknowledged expert on the history of the Middle East and the Crusades Simon Mayall focuses on some of the most significant clashes of arms in human history: the taking and retaking of Jerusalem and the collapse of the Crusader states; the fall of Constantinople; the sieges of Rhodes and Malta; the assault on Vienna and the ‘high-water mark’ of Ottoman advance into Europe; culminating in the Allied capture of Jerusalem in World War I, the final collapse of the Ottoman Empire, the dissolution of the sultanate and the caliphate, and the formation of modern Europe and the modern Middle East.

The House of War offers a wide, sweeping narrative, encompassing the broad historical and religious context of this period, while focussing on some of the key, pivotal sieges and battles, and on the protagonists, political and military, who determined their conclusions and their consequences.©2024 Simon Mayall (P)2024 Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Christianity History Islam Middle East Military Turkey Middle Ages Crusade Ottoman Empire Imperialism War Royalty Africa
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Critic reviews

Ambitious in range, pacy and highly readable, and admirably clear, it should be essential reading for diplomats, military leaders and politicians.
No one could be better qualified to write on this fascinating subject … Simon Mayall is a soldier-scholar at the top of his game.
This is a remarkable book.
An engrossing account of over a thousand years of conflict that has shaped our world.
Rarely has a military history book been so necessary and well-timed as Simon Mayall’s erudite and entertaining The House of War.
A fascinating history. (Charles Moore)
Simon Mayall sustains remarkable clarity in description and analysis. The book will be of enormous interest to historians who seek to understand the many dimensions of the situation in the Middle East and beyond.
...[The] House of War is a great narrative history.
All stars
Most relevant
This is a fascinating book and anyone with an interest in military history should read it. The author’s own interest in the subject is obvious and he makes use of multiple sources. One correction I can offer is that the Battle of Cannae, mentioned in chapter 8 was in 216 BC not 1216 BC.

Listen to The House of War

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I have bought this amazing tome on kindle and as a hardback and as an audible book. Money so well spent. I had glimpses of knowledge dating from 600ad about the conflict between Christendom and the Caliphate, but this book was a true revelation. All the foreign Secretaries from every country in the world should read this amazing, wonderful book.
it puts into context the reasons behind those of the Shia Muslim persuasion, who hold views which seems just mediaeval and outrageous, not to mention Barbaric in the 21st century.
Certainly, those marching in support of Hamas and Hezbollah should learn just what they are marching for.
A scary revolation of what the future may hold and it's all true, Factual history of the battles of the last millennium narrated in a clear, matter of fact way by the author himself
10 hours well spent..
Simply AMAZING.

An amazing revelation of the history and continuing struggle between the 3 Abrahamic religions.

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I loved the format of the book with an in-depth analysis of key events within a broader historical context. Key struggles such as the siege of Rhodes are fascinating and well told. Every effort is made to be balanced. Thoroughly recommended.

Outstanding Overview

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Very good summation of the key encounters between Christianity and Islam - but felt a lot like the greatest hits as it didn’t delve much into any of the ongoing connective tissue between the big events or provide a view on the general view of Christians or Muslims on the other over time. The approach of jumping around chronologically also did not help with comprehension.

Great, with caveats

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I enjoyed this book from beginning to end. Brilliantly written and read by Simon Mayall. The images conjured are evocative and the story is told in such a way that the impact of these historical events on today's world are made plain.

A wonderfully written sweeping history

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