The story of the History of the Arabs is one of profound dedication and unexpected success. In 1927, Daniel Macmillan of the famed publishing house wrote to Hitti, inviting him to write a comprehensive history of the Arabs. Hitti optimistically estimated the project would take three years. However, driven by a commitment to a meticulous and comprehensive account, the task ultimately consumed a decade of his life. The editor was initially hesitant, even fearing the book might sell fewer than a hundred copies. Yet, when History of the Arabs finally appeared in 1937, it defied all expectations, launching a legacy that would eventually span ten editions and countless reprints.
The Islamic conquests after Muhammad's death were swift and extensive. Under the leadership of the Rightly Guided Caliphs (Rashidun), and later the Umayyad and Abbasid Caliphs, Muslim armies moved out of Arabia, conquering territories that had once been part of the Roman and Persian Empires. These conquests not only spread Islam but also facilitated a cultural exchange that had a lasting impact on the development of civilization in Europe, Asia, and Africa. history of the arab philip k. hitti pdf
