This 1989 second volume of Professor Williams' translation of al-Tabar 's account of the early 'Abb s empire focuses on the reigns of the son - al-Mahd - and grandsons - al-Hadi and H r n al-Rash d - of Caliph al-Mans r, the subject of the first volume. This was the 'Golden Prime' of the empire, before the civil war between the sons of al-Rash d and the movement of the capital away from Baghdad. Also considered is the story of the Persian aristocratic family, the Barmakis, who became the real rulers under the indolent al-Rash d, until he destroyed them in a rage which astonished his...