The Cross and the Crescent: Christianity and Islam from Muhammad to the Reformation: Christianity and Islam from the Prophet Muhammad to the Reformation (Allen Lane History S.) - Hardcover

A short, brilliant account of the relations between Islam and Christianity from Muhammad to the Reformation by England's leading mediaeval historian. Fletcher argues that though there were trading and cultural interactions between Islam and Christianity during the period when Arabs controlled most of the Mediterranean world, neither side was remotely interested in the religion of the other. "Christian and Moslem lived side by side in a state of mutual religious aversion. Given these circumstances, if religious passions were to be stirred up, confrontation would probably be violent." He shows how religious misunderstanding and antagonism between "the peoples of the book" has been present since their earliest encounters.

Richard Fletcher is one of Britain's most distinguished medieval historians, and has for many years taught at the University of York. His THE QUEST FOR EL CID won the Wolfson Award and the Los Angeles Times History Prize; and THE CONVERSION OF EUROPE, was a best-seller for Harper Collins. His most recent book, BLOODFEUD, received excellent coverage on publication in 2002.