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Author Emmet Scott builds upon the controversial work of Belgian historian and scholar Henri Pirene, and presents ample archaeological evidence to question just how coincidental was the expansion of Islam to the utter collapse of classical civilizational and consequent plunge into "The Dark Ages"?

At GatesofVienna co-blogger, Dymphna states:

"His is the best book I've ever read about Islam's initial onslaught against so many countries. The style is superb. It is haunting. So haunting I've read it three times now. This is the first book which has managed to make me see how our whole heritage was skewed, annihilated, and buried from the very beginning."

"His work is impeccable; it will be totally ignored by the consensus media."

This is a book every Westerner should have.

Couldn't agree more!

A quote from an 1899 book by Winston Churchill, "The River War", in which he describes Muslims he apparently observed during Kitchener's campaign in the Sudan

"How dreadful are the curses which Mohammedanism lays on its votaries! Besides the fanatical frenzy, which is as dangerous in a man as hydrophobia in a dog, there is this fearful fatalistic apathy. The effects are apparent in many countries. Improvident habits, slovenly systems of agriculture, sluggish methods of commerce, and insecurity of property exist wherever the followers of the Prophet rule or live. A degraded sensualism deprives this life of its grace and refinement; the next of its dignity and sanctity. The fact that in Mohammedan law every woman must belong to some man as his absolute property - either as a child, a wife, or a concubine - must delay the final extinction of slavery until the faith of Islam has ceased to be a great power among men.

Individual Moslems may show splendid qualities. Thousands become the brave and loyal soldiers of the Queen; all know how to die; but the influence of the religion paralyses the social development of those who follow it. No stronger retrograde force exists in the world. Far from being moribund, Mohammedanism is a militant and proselytizing faith. It has already spread throughout Central Africa, raising fearless warriors at every step; and were it not that Christianity is sheltered in the strong arms of science - the science against which it had vainly struggled - the civilization of modern Europe might fall, as fell the civilization of ancient Rome."

A quote from an 1899 book by Winston Churchill, "The River War", in which he describes Muslims he apparently observed during Kitchener's campaign in the Sudan

"How dreadful are the curses which Mohammedanism lays on its votaries! Besides the fanatical frenzy, which is as dangerous in a man as hydrophobia in a dog, there is this fearful fatalistic apathy. The effects are apparent in many countries. Improvident habits, slovenly systems of agriculture, sluggish methods of commerce, and insecurity of property exist wherever the followers of the Prophet rule or live. A degraded sensualism deprives this life of its grace and refinement; the next of its dignity and sanctity. The fact that in Mohammedan law every woman must belong to some man as his absolute property - either as a child, a wife, or a concubine - must delay the final extinction of slavery until the faith of Islam has ceased to be a great power among men.

Individual Moslems may show splendid qualities. Thousands become the brave and loyal soldiers of the Queen; all know how to die; but the influence of the religion paralyses the social development of those who follow it. No stronger retrograde force exists in the world. Far from being moribund, Mohammedanism is a militant and proselytizing faith. It has already spread throughout Central Africa, raising fearless warriors at every step; and were it not that Christianity is sheltered in the strong arms of science - the science against which it had vainly struggled - the civilization of modern Europe might fall, as fell the civilization of ancient Rome."

After reading the review I understand the basic premise of the author but I guess that without reading the book I won’t understand the tie between Mohammed and Charlemagne. I could see a direct relation between Mo and Charlemagne’s grandfather but other than a time shift of key events it still doesn’t seem to exactly fit. Given the politics and power structures of that millenia the crusades would have probably still failed even 400 years earlier.

Ping for later

BTTT !

Interesting article.

And then the author has to drag in some idea about three centuries having just been “inserted” into the calendar around 1000.

It is difficult for me to express how ludicrous this notion is. We have Chinese, Indian, Mayan calendars and historical records from these “missing centuries.” Seems to me there are also real problems with astronomical calculations if this is taken to be a fact.

I guess the author was serious in this claim, but I find it quite difficult to believe he was.

it makes sense. The “barbarians” who invaded may have ended the Emperor’s rule but they did not touch the existing structures — after all they needed those to rule. Alaric was heavily Romanized for instance...