I used this book as a referrence when I was first learning the history of the Arabs. The book gives exquisite detail of the subject matter. In spite of this detail, it is not overwhelming for the new reader of Arabic History. It makes excellent reading for anyone with an interest, either mild or passionate. Hurrah for Sir John!

If you must read a quick history of the Middle East, read this book - it's a hoot. Glubb was an English soldier who commanded the Jordanian Army during WWII and the first Arab-Israeli War, was kicked out of Jordan in the 1950's, and turned to writing books. Lots of books - on his experiences as a soldier, on history, current events, and even theology. This one is a condensation of a much longer four volume set on Arab history from the 7th century AD to the present century. Glubb does a pretty good job of getting his points across while excising some redundancies and boring spots. It is lively, personal, incredibly fun and easy to read, but has certain innacuracies, which academics will no doubt find annoying. But who cares - this is a really a great introduction to Arab history. Just a word of caution to newcomers to the topic - take his personal opinions for a grain of salt, because sometimes they are a bit flaky.

I WANTED TO SEE THIS BECAUSE I WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT HAROON WHO IS A SINGER FROM PAKISTAN

This excellent book studies the career of John Glubb Pasha, the most influential of the British 'orientalist' corps of officers and officials serving in the Middle East until 1956. He commanded the Transjordan Arab Legion from 1939 to 1956 and played an important part in setting up modern Jordan by helping King Abdullah to establish his rule. In 1948 he led the Legion to a limited victory in the first Arab-Israeli war.

Benny Morris, a leading Israeli historian, has based his book on extensive study in the archives of David Ben Gurion, the Israel Defence Forces, the Israeli State, the UN, the Haganah and St Anthony's College Middle East Centre, including the Glubb Papers, and in the Public Record Office.

Glubb retained the typical imperial contempt for both Jews and Arabs, especially for educated or urban people. But his opposition to Zionism was not based on his anti-Semitism, any more than his support for Arab aspirations was based on his anti-Arabism. He believed that opposing Zionism and supporting Jordan were policies that would strengthen Britain's hold in the Middle East. He was always a loyal servant of the British Empire, acting in what he saw as its best interests.

Morris supports the contention, made most notably by Avi Shlaim in his 1988 book, Collusion across the Jordan, that Israel and Jordan collaborated during the 1948 war. He shows how Israel and Jordan came to a secret understanding in November 1947 to partition Palestine and not to attack each other. Since the Transjordan Legion was much the best Arab force opposing Israel, the agreement showed that this war did not really threaten Israel with annihilation.

Jordanian forces invaded Palestine not to attack Israel but to annex its Arab-populated eastern regions. The Legion did not attack any area that the UN had planned for Israel. Israel broke the agreement by attacking the Legion in May, July and October 1948. The Legion took over the West Bank and East Jerusalem, saving them from Israeli conquest. King Abdullah had done what the British government wanted, strengthening Jordan at the Palestinians' expense.

Excellent objective perspectives on the Middle East and its players thru 1967.

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!

Sir John Glubb, who lived a long time in the middle-east and became proficient in the Arabic language, used original references to write this excellent book on the life of the prophet.

The book is easy to read, informative and provide a broad understanding of the subject. Sir John is not a Moslem but he understand Moslems and Islam. He writes with the detached historian's perspective and interprets events with a fresh outlook.

Enjoyable and highly recommended.

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.