I’m looking for books concerning the history, culture, society, etc. regarding Al Andalus, and the era of the Caliphate of Córdoba in particular. A broader, more introductory history would be fine. Anyone have any recommendations? Thanks!
Medieval Iberia: Readings From Christian, Muslim, and Jewish Sources by Olivia Constable, a professor of Medieval History at Norte Dame. It provides sources from Visigothic Iberia, al-Andalus, the Taifa state period, and so on. The sources range from primary to secondary, and provide a relatively broad history of medieval Iberia.
I used this book for a class in my freshman year and thoroughly enjoyed it.
For socio-cultural history you'll want to read From Muslim Fortress to Christian Castle: Social and Cultural Change in Medieval Spain by Thomas Glick. For political history, Muslim Spain and Portugal: A Political History of al-Andalus is good though a little dry at times. While both books aren't exclusively about the Cordoban period, they do discuss it in extensive detail.