A sordid and captivating story

The author takes us to the heart of the Arab-Muslim imperialism in the Middle Ages, and we let out the images of Epinal bequeathed by the Arabian Nights, or artistic movements orientalists, and grasp by what ideological interpreters In what practical conditions to which political advantage, slaves were they a pillar of Muslim civilization.
I only put a damper on some contrasted the author, Christians / Muslims, who do not always seem very rigorous.
Nevertheless essential book for anyone who wants to think hegemonic vocation of great civilizations