This is quite a fascinating read, first of all the book itself. Its a reproduction I think possibly from a library book thats long since gone out of print. I have purchased books like this before and quite often the quality of the print has been dreadful, looking like someone has just took a book to the office photocopier and stapled it together.
This is very different, the quality of the print is good, each page is readable the only thing that looks a bit strange is there is a shading which is probably the original book on each page. Its a paperback the copy I have there is no introduction from the publisher or anything else.
You do have to know a little about the author because as I say above, there is no other information from the publisher. Marmaduke Pickthall was a British Muslim convert who is perhaps better known for his translation of the Quran (Along with Yusuf Ali) which for many decades was the standard translation many English speakers used. He along with a small number of British Muslim converts and British Indian Muslims living in the UK had a small community worshiping in one of the first Mosques built in England. They worked hard to improve the image of Muslims and Islam in the minds of the British public during the early part of the 20th Century. Many however, like Pickthall suffered especially when Britain declared war on the Ottoman Empire during world war one and as a consequence left the country some to return after the war.
This book is the writings of Pickthall during this time. In his introduction in 1913 he has made a decision to leave England for Turkey due to the level of hostility he is feeling from the public towards the Turks and Islam. He travels to Istanbul and resides in a small village just outside the former Ottoman capital and writes his observations.
This book is certainly of great interest because he writes the views of the ordinary Turkish person during what was one of the most difficult times in Turkish history. Ottoman Turkey must have felt like it was in perpetual warfare but we have very few accounts from how this affected ordinary people.

The author talks of the Young Turk government ruling Ottoman Turkey at the time (Most of the authors friends seem to be liberals who oppose them) Quite a few Turks seem to be at least a little hopeful of a change of public opinion in Britain but interestingly believe the liberal government to be the most hostile to Muslims than a conservative one.
The author describes the horrific massacres of Turkish soldiers and civilians at the hands of mostly Bulgarian but also Serbian soldiers including mutilation of surrendered soldiers. Quite interesting he also mentions Albanian Muslims were also participants in the slaughter of Turkish soldiers and how much of the Turkish public at the time were at a point of exasperated with the Balkans and were happy to be done with it.
Another interesting factor from the author is he lays the blame for the hostility towards Turkey on Russia and the influence Russia is having in British opinion (presumably he is referring to Russia supporting Bulgaria and Serbia in the Balkans and its own wars against the Ottomans in the Caucuses) While he does talk of the hostility felt in Britain itself he seems more keen to find a reason for it. He mentions very little of Germany (Ottoman Turkey's ally in the first world war) perhaps he was not to familiar with that nation as he mentions France frequently and does speak French.
Overall its an enjoyable read, some may disagree with some of the opinions expressed in this book but I feel it is a very valuable first hand account of the thoughts and feelings of Ottoman Turkish people at an important point in their history.

This book covers the Sirah, the life of the Last Prophet Muhammad (SAW). After reading various books on the topic, I have to say that this book is my favorite! With a beautiful blend of detail and flow, the book has got me emotional on many occasions. I would recommend this book to everybody and I hope that like me you will find yourself coming back to the book again and again.

I read in a magazine that the author wrote this book when he was 16 and it was aimed for the teenagers. If that is the case then this book has certainly achieved its goal as my 14 year old child finished the book in two days. I hope to see more books by this authour in the future.

Many a book has been written on this subject but this unique book is characterised by the following.
Ideal for teenagers, introducing them to the Seerah of the Final Prophet >usage of Arabic
terminologies ie. Ibadah, Dawah, Shirk, Ukhuwwah >focuses on the Prophets mission and methodology
in establishing Islam >comprehensive coverage of all major events simplicity of language and
expression