The theory is compelling, but the explication leads to some unpleasant Islamophobia in this book that doesn't seem entirely necessary. The chronology also ignores Chinese and East Asian history, which give extensive evidence in favor of the existence of these "phantom centuries," along issues with dating eclipses beyond those covered in the text.

There are some puzzling aspects to the period covered by the 7th-9th centuries, such as the paucity of artifacts and architecture in Europe and the Near East as well as the static character of the era. For this, I think it's worth a read. The evidence is fascinating, but the conclusion is unproven. ( )