History of the Arabs from the Earliest Times to the Present

TLDR: Khalidi as mentioned in this paper discusses the history of the Umayyad Caliphate and its role in the development of fine arts in the Arab world, as well as its political administration and social conditions.

Abstract: Preface to the Revised Tenth Edition W.Khalidi - Preface to the Tenth Edition - Preface to the First Edition - PART I: THE PRE-ISLAMIC WORLD - The Arabs as Semites: Arabia the Cradle of the Semitic Race - The Arabian Peninsular - Bedouin Life - Early International Relations - The Sabaean and other States of South Arabia - The Nabataean and other Petty Kingdoms of North and Central Arabia - Al-Hijaz on the Eve of the Rise of Islam - PART II: THE RISE OF ISLAM AND THE CALIPHAL STATE - Muhammad the Prophet of Allah - The Koran the Book of Allah - Islam the Religion of Submission to the Will of Allah - Period of Conquest, Expansion and Colonization, A.D. 632-61 - The Conquest of Syria - Al-'Iraq and Persia Conquered - Egypt, Tripolis and Barqah Acquired - The Administration of the New Possessions - The Struggle between 'Ali and Mu'awiyah for the Caliphate - PART III: THE UMAYYAD AND 'ABBASID EMPIRES - The Umayyad Caliphate: Mu'awiyah Establishes a Dynasty - Hostile Reactions with the Byzantines - The Zenith of Umayyad Power - Political Administration and Social Conditions under the Umayyads - Intellectual Aspects of Life under the Umayyads - Decline and Fall of the Umayyad Dynasty - The Establishment of the 'Abbasid Dynasty - The Golden Prime of the 'Abbasids - The 'Abbasid State - 'Abbasid Society - Scientific and Literary Progress - Education - The Development of Fine Arts - Moslem Sects - The Caliphate Dismembered: Petty Dynasties in the West - Sundry Dynasties in the East - The Collapse of the 'Abbasid Caliphate - PART IV: THE ARABS IN EUROPE: SPAIN AND SICILY - Conquest of Spain - The Umayyad Amirate in Spain - Civil Disturbances - The Umayyad Caliphate of Cordova - Political, Economic and Educational Institutions - Petty States: Fall of Granada - Intellectual Contributions - Art and Architecture - In Sicily - PART V: THE LAST OF THE MEDIEVAL MOSLEM STATES - A Shi'ite Caliphate in Egypt: The Fatimids - Life in Fatimid Egypt - Military Contacts between East and West: The Crusades - Cultural Contacts - The Mamluks, Last Medieval Dynasty of Arab World - Intellectual and Artistic Activity - The End of Mamluk Rule - PART VI: OTTOMAN RULE AND INDEPENDENCE - The Arab Lands as Turkish Provinces - Egypt and the Arab Crescent - The Changing Scene: Impact of the West - Index