How to approach Academic claims on Mecca

Robert Hoyland has written about early Islamic history, and some polemical figures claim his work “destroys” the historical notion of Mecca. He’s also appeared on platforms like MythVision and Apostate Prophet.

How do Muslim academics view his claims about Mecca? Are his arguments misrepresented by polemics? Also, what are some good academic books on Mecca’s early history from both Islamic and secular scholars?

Would love to hear scholarly perspectives on this!