If one was trying to geta better understanding of the history of Islam within the Middle East, what books would be recommended? Likewise, are there any books of the Middle East prior to Islam?
So, books prior to Islam in the Middle East , books of Islam in the Middle East. It doesn't really matter to me if it is historical or Archeological.
Check out the booklist in the sidebar, especially the section on Islam and the section on pre-Islamic Arabia