The Life and Times of Muhammad [Paperback]

John Glubb (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 27, 2001

The founder of Islam, the prophet Muhammad (571-632 A.D.) brought to the people of Arabia a new religion that completely transformed the Middle East and the world beyond. Glubb, who spent much of his adult life among the Bedouin of Arabia, here describes the social milieu, personality, religious message, family life, battles, and far-reaching influence of the Prophet. In Glubb's accessible account of the life of Muhammad, written for the general reader, the author explains how the age in which Muhammad lived influenced him, and describes the impact his personality had on Islam. Glubb offers insight into the atmosphere, suffused with Jewish, Christian, and polytheist thought, in which the Prophet perceived his religious mission; his attitudes towards women and his relationships with his wives; and the battles he lead to insure the survival of his followers, confronting enemies at Bedr and Uhud and eventually capturing the key city of Mecca.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The only sound, comprehensive, and 'popular' work in English on the life, times, and people of the Prophet. (Kirkus Reviews )

The best popular life of the Prophet of Islam available in the English language. An extraordinary accomplishment. (Los Angeles Times )

Glubb's long acquaintance with the Arabs has enabled him to make sense out of obscure legends and to bring long-dead battles to life. His book stings like caravan dust and sweeps forward like a charge of Bedouin cavalry. (Newsweek )

Glubb has written a history that is as fascinating to read as it is immediately and permanently valuable. (Cincinnati Enquirer )

About the Author

Sir John Glubb (1897-1986) spent thirty years in the Middle East and wrote many books on the Arab world, including War in the Desert: An R.A.F. Frontier Campaign and A Short History of the Arab Peoples.

Sir John Glubb (1897-1986) spent thirty years in the Middle East and wrote many books on the Arab world, including War in the Desert: An R.A.F. Frontier Campaign and A Short History of the Arab Peoples.

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Cooper Square Press (November 27, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0815411766
• ISBN-13: 978-0815411765
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #673,335 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Useful, Open-Minded Biography That Speaks To Us Today, March 11, 2003

By 

James Paris "Tarnmoor" (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Life and Times of Muhammad (Paperback)

Sir John Glubb is uniquely qualified to write about Muhammad and the rise of the Arab peoples inasmuch as he lived most of his life as a desert-loving British officer leading the Arab Legion for the Kings of Jordan. Around the time that Israel was born, he took the fall for the increasing unpopularity of British forces from both sides -- Arab and Jew -- and was let go by the late King Hussein.

Far from being embittered by the experience, Glubb went on to write a number of exciting histories, an autobiography, and this life of Muhammad. In a way, it is good that this book is over 30 years old: It is untouched by any reference to September 11 and allows the reader an unprejudiced view of the Prophet and his followers without rancour or prejudice of any sort. At one point, the author states that he is a Christian, but feels as completely at home with sincere Muslims as with his fellow Christians.

Three features make this a particularly useful book. For one thing, there are a dozen excellent maps. For those of us who have difficulty distinguishing from Arabic name from another, there are summaries of Notable Dates and Personalities at the end of each chapter to help fix the facts in the reader's memory. Finally, there is a respectable bibliography for further study.

I was particularly gratified with Glubb's final paragraph, which very much speaks to us today: "If we Christians believe that we are more nearly executing the will of God than are adherents of other religions, it must surely be our duty to lead such lives as will draw all men of good will to ask the reason for our goodness. To treat them with arrogant contempt is more likely to convince them that ours is an intolerant and hard-hearted way of life." To which I can only add, Amen!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended reading for students of Islam., March 22, 2002

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Life and Times of Muhammad (Paperback)

With the founding of Islam the prophet Muhammad (571-632 A.D.) brought the people of Arabia a new religion which would come to completely transform the Middle East and become one of the major religions of the world. In The Life And Times Of Muhammad, biographer Sir John Glubb (1897-1986 provides an informative, accessible, authoritative, highly recommended account of the life of Muhammad, including the social milieu, religious message, family life battles, personality, and far -reaching influence of the Prophet. The reader is provided invaluable insight into the atmosphere of the times (suffused with Jewish, Christian, and polytheist concepts and philosophies) in which Muhammad perceived his religious mission; his attitudes towards women, and his relationships with his wives. The Life And Times Of Muhammad is the ideal introduction to Muhammad for today's non-specialist general reader with a newly found interest in the origins and theology of Islam.

9 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars For beginners perhaps., November 21, 2000

By 

Jamal Nazir - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Life and Times of Muhammad (Paperback)

Sir John Glubb is a no historian, but he wrote this book well. Again like said in my other reviews that such brief histories written on the life and time of Messenger of Allah (PBUH) are good only for the beginners. There are other author such as Watt and Armstrong who furnished such pieces. These are all for somebody who want to get some quick facts. Perhaps if you are to write a book report for college then sources such as these are sufficient. However, for the purpose of the serious research you need to look at more authentic sources that are from 900AD-1300AD. Sources such as those will should include Tabari, Ibn Ishaq, al-Bladhuri and Ibn Khaldun.