The book studies the succession and political problems during the early years of the 'Abbāsid rule. The short reign of the first Caliph al-Saffāh left to the nascent dynasty some serious political problems. Since the dynasty had been supported by many different groups and factions, once it had been established, they looked for various ways to express their interests and rivalries in the form of succession disputes and uprisings. It was l-Mansūr's great task to overcome these political problems. The first challenge came from his own family, 'Abdallāh b.'Alī who claimed the succession which was allegedly promised by the late caliph. The second threat came from al-Mansūr's general, Abū Muslim who had rendered a great service to the 'Abbāsids. Due to the jealousy of the Caliph and the increasing power of Abū Muslim, the Caliph brutally murdered him. The third political problem were the uprisings of the Hasanid 'Alids, Muhammad and his brother Ibrāhīm b.'Abdullāh who claimed their rights to the caliphate. All these political problems could successfully be handled by al-Mansūr by resorting to various tactics and stratagems.