Muhammad: a frank look at his influential (and violent) life and teachingsIn The Truth about Muhammad; New York Times bestselling author and Islam expert Robert Spencer offers an honest and telling portrait of the founder of Islam-perhaps the first such portrait in half a century-unbounded by fear and political correctness; unflinching; and willing to face the hard facts about Muhammad's life that continue to affect our world today.From Muhammad's first "revelation" from Allah (which filled him with terror that he was demonpossessed) to his deathbed (from which he called down curses upon Jews and Christians); it's all here-told with extensive documentation from the sources that Muslims themselves consider most reliable about Muhammad.Spencer details Muhammad's development from a preacher of hellfire and damnation into a political and military leader who expanded his rule by force of arms; promising his warriors luridly physical delights in Paradise if they were killed in his cause. He explains how the Qur'an's teaching on warfare against unbelievers developed-with constant war to establish the hegemony of Islamic law as the last stage.Spencer also gives the truth about Muhammad's convenient "revelations" justifying his own licentiousness; his joy in the brutal murders of his enemies; and above all; his clear marching orders to his followers to convert non-Muslims to Islam-or force them to live as inferiors under Islamic rule.In The Truth about Muhammad; you'll learn- The truth about Muhammad's multiple marriages (including one to a nine-year-old) - How Muhammad set legal standards that make it virtually impossible to prove rape in Islamic countries - How Muhammad's example justifies jihad and terrorism - The real "Satanic verses" incident (not the Salman Rushdie version) that remains a scandal to Muslims - How Muhammad's faulty knowledge of Judaism and Christianity has influenced Islamic theology--and colored Muslim relations with Jews and Christians to this day.Recognizing the true nature of Islam; Spencer argues; is essential for judging the prospects for largescale Islamic reform; the effective prosecution of the War on Terror; the democracy project in Afghanistan and Iraq; and immigration and border control to protect the United States from terrorism.All of which makes it crucial for every citizen (and policymaker) who loves freedom to read and ponder The Truth about Muhammad
#788350 in Books 2015-10-06Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.50 x .60 x 5.50l; .0 #File Name: 1595346694216 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great story tellingBy PuzlGreat story telling. Emotions clear and honest. Family and aging; dog love; nostalgia for childhood and memories plus a good travel story-- wonderful read.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Well done...By Gail PickusA wonderfully written book...2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. An unconventional memoir that would be valued more by the author's family than by perfect strangersBy R. M. PetersonIn May 2003; three years shy of seventy; Annick Smith drove from Montana to Chicago to visit her ninety-seven-year-old mother. With her; Smith took her chocolate Lab; Bruno. In CROSSING THE PLAINS WITH BRUNO; Smith uses that two-week trip as the anchor for an unconventional memoir. She reflects on her parents -- Old World Jews; her mother from Transylvania and her father from Budapest; who met in Paris (where Annick was born) and eventually settled in Chicago and its suburbs. She shares memories of growing up; of her siblings; her first husband Dave Smith; her children; literary friends such as Dick Hugo and Jim Welch; and her long-time partner Bill Kittredge. At the same time; the book is a travelogue of those two weeks in May 2003; including a week at a cottage on the shores of Lake Michigan. It also is a platform for assorted observations about contemporary life in America.Smith wrote the book about ten years later; and she includes updates on a few matters -- including the death of her mother and the death of Bruno. She characterizes the book as "a mix of travel and relationships; Western history and family history; human love and animal love." That it certainly is. It also is a primer on loss; and accepting and integrating loss into one's life. Smith has gathered a fair measure of wisdom over the years; and she imparts it in a smoothly written book.But all that does not automatically make for an especially interesting book. For me; Smith discusses too many personal matters -- such as girlhood body odor; her first experience skiing in Ishpeming; Michigan in 1945; and the various places she wants her ashes to be scattered. She relates too many prosaic happenings from her road trip; many having to do with Bruno and letting him exercise and relieve himself. Moreover; some of her observations on society or history are rather pedestrian. In some respects; CROSSING THE PLAINS WITH BRUNO seems to have been written primarily for Smith's children and grandchildren; and as an account of one's life and one's "being" to be left for one's descendants it is a fine book. For a perfect stranger; however -- at least this perfect stranger -- it is on the thin side.
