The Secret Order of Assassins: The Struggle of the Early Nizari Ismailis Against the Islamic World
by Marshall G. S. Hodgson
Category: History

Remains the most complete history of the Assassins. Beginning the story with the separation of Sunnis and Shi'ites and the rise of Ism'lism, an offshoot of Shi'ism, Hodgson traces the long and complex history of power struggles within Islam that led ultimately to the separation of the Nizr Ism'ls and their direct challenge to Muslim leadership.