Imagine a world where people of different cultures live together in tolerance. The book Ornament of the World by Maria Rosa Menocal is a historical novel following a man Abd al-Rahman and his journey from being exiled for his religion to creating his own empire that had cultural freedom and acceptance. This book shows a time and place in history where people were not divided because of culture, but actually benefited from cultural diversity. This was a place called, Cordoba during 929 to 961 C.E. It shows the success of Muslims, Jews, and Christians living together, tolerant of other religions, and where literature, art, and science thrived. It proves that the intolerance of others can actually cripple advancement as a society. War and violence
