Muslim Spain and Portugal: A Political History of al-Andalus is hands down the best book that I’ve read that’s completely focused on al-Andalus (Muslim controlled territory in the Iberian Peninsula) and not The Reconquista or the Christian realms. I really liked that the majority of the sources were primarily from Arab primary sources. This book is focused on the incredible complex political history al-Andalus.

I consider to be very well informed of the topic of medieval Spain/Portugal, including the Muslim portion. However I learned a ton of new things thanks to this book. I feel this is the type of book that I can go back and re-read it multiple times and learn something new, that’s the wealth of knowledge the author gives us by writing this book. From the the initial Emirate of Córdoba under the grater Umayyad Caliphate, to the quasi independent Umayyad Emirate of Córdoba after the Abbasid Revolution, to the completely independent Caliphate of Córdoba, to the First Taifa Era, and the coming of the invading Almoravid Empire, to then the Second Taifa Era, to the coming of the invading Almohad Caliphate, and the final Emirate of Granada. Almost 800 centuries of political history covered in one book. A very large and complex political scope that the author was able to brilliantly articulate.

At the end of this book the reader gets a much clearer understanding on the political downfall of al-Andalus and why it was set to fall from its inception.