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I want to thank you for the Runciman tip. My library has all three of the series. I'm just into the first few chapters, and am really liking it. I was surprised to find that in the first couple of chapters he confirms Johnson's particulars. Perhaps Johnson's info came from Runciman.

History of the East is very interesting, and what Mohammed accomplished in 10 years, in terms of the spread of Islam, has got to be some kind of world record.

Finally, it's not too hard to see from the get go, that Mr. Runciman's affections point to the East. Nothing wrong with that, don't get me wrong, but I believe he's on record as saying the sack of Constantinople was one of the most egregious evils of history, and from the first few pages you can see his dispostion in this regard.

Anyway, thanks again for the recommendation, and I don't find Runciman as dry as I had imagined, so the plowing, so far hasn't been that tough.

Whoever shall introduce into public affairs the principles of primitive Christianity will change the face of the world. --Benjamin Franklin