The Dark Ages, a period lasting one thousand years in the Western world that was devoid of art, literature, science and technology, coincided with the ‘golden age’ of Muslim thought.

Unfortunately, the story of humanity’s achievements in science and technology is also a political one, and has been clouded by the relationship between Islam and the Western world. This fascinating book investigates the achievements of the often forgotten early medieval Islamic scientists.

Ehsan Masood, a London-based journalist, surveys scientific progression in Islam between the 8th and 16th century, from which terms such as algebra, algorithm and alkali were born.

Somewhat ironically, this period also saw the discovery of engineering concepts now used in the modern car and drink-dispensing machines, iconic symbols of the Western world. The book accompanies a BBC television series, but is an interesting and complete read without the series.