The Abbasid dynasty of the black flag followed the Ummayads with their white flag by destroying them and massacring everyone they could find. Not all that long after, they also moved the capital of al-Islam from Damascus to Baghdad. Although this book is a rather dry read, it catalogs an incredible number of aspects of life and culture in the Levant and Mesopotamia beginning in the late 7th century. Really really useful. HIGHLY recommended. ( )