This is a unique; intimate picture of a youn g soldier going to war. With background material by John Gil l; this book is not only entertaining; but also an important ; authoritiative addition to key works on the Napoleonic War s. '
#4166318 in Books 2004-11-06 2004-10-14Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 11.08 x .37 x 5.64l; .50 #File Name: 1850436703160 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Early IslamBy Pedro VillariasA brief account of the life and deeds of the second caliph. I have found it very interesting and informative .A good start point for less biased study of the subject.I disagree with the first review :the writer loves the man; it is true; but I think that if you want to know Muslim's faith and psychology (that's my case) you must read Muslim's (believers) writings.Umar is "regarded as epitome of the just ruler" and a sort of San Paul of Islam: sworn enemy of the Muslims at first an one of the closest Prophet's Companions afterwards and finally his second successor with a similar "fall of the horse in the road to Damascus " too: a sudden conversion listening the Qur'an . A good deal of Qu'ran and key aspects of Islam (among them writing and editing the Qur'an itself; the call of prayer or the curtain to hide the Prophet's wives )have his mark .Quoting the text: "it is impossible to imagine the consequences for the history of Islam if Umar had not persuaded Abu Bakr that the Qur'an should be assembled and write out in a single volume ;...etc. The overall picture is the a very pious man with a very strong commitment with the cause of the Prophet.In sort: a good start point that leaves you with a strong desire to know more about the fascinating history of early Islam.0 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Outdated and DisappointingBy R. Ben MadisonThis repackaging of a 19th century work was unbelievably disappointing and shows no evidence of modern scholarship. This book is essentially a hagiography populated by saintly Muslims; lots and lots of wicked; scheming Jews; and obvious hero-worship from the author to his subject. It's fair if you're looking for overall events and chronology based on (late and unreliable) primary sources; but the author makes no effort at putting these events in any sort of cultural context. As a full-throated endorsement of Arab imperialism and colonialism this book is desperately insensitive; and its obsession with random Jews who pop up in the narrative only to assassinate good people and thwart their wonderful plans is embarrassing.
