In The Truth about Muhammad, New York Times bestselling author and Islam expert Robert Spencer offers a 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.
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 teachings 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.
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"A must read: very revealing regarding the genesis of Islam. "The child is the father of the man" -- given Islam's early days and the character of its father, it's no wonder that it often finds itself in violent conflict with democracy and modernity. "
— Sam (5 out of 5 stars)
“Intrepid Robert Spencer continues his quest to dispel myths, cure ignorance, and open our eyes to hard truths about Islam. If we are going to win the War on Terror, we need to know how Muhammad really lived—and why he endures as the inspiration for global jihad. This book is a threat to ‘religion of peace’ propaganda that lulls the West into submission. Strike a blow for survival: buy it.”
— Michelle Malkin, New York Times bestselling author“At a time when, even in the West, the pious narrative of Muhammad has gained a near-hegemonic hold, Robert Spencer offers a rare skeptical biography and interpretation of the prophet of Islam. Relying exclusively on Islamic sources, The Truth about Muhammad argues that, for fourteen hundred years, the ‘words and deeds of Muhammad have been moving Muslims to commit acts of violence.’”
— Daniel Pipes, director of the Middle East Forum and author of Slave Soldiers and Islam“In The Truth about Muhammad, Robert Spencer provides a detailed and timely riposte to common misconceptions…Spencer has written a provocative book likely to arouse passions. But the arguments he presents are rigorous, and the evidence compelling, if disquieting…Above all, Spencer identifies the problem upon which current tensions hinge.”
— Guardian (UK)“To defeat the jihadists who want to kill us, we need to understand them. The Truth about Muhammad is an important contribution to that project.”
— Human Events“Robert Spencer provides a frank and accurate picture of the Muhammad that Muslims around the world revere.”
— WorldNetDaily.com" extremally informative. tuthor does a good job of not showing any bias a little hard to follow some of the names, my cultuaral bias. listened to it twice and will listen again. "
— scott, 9/28/2017" Wow, after reading this one-sided muckracking, one may wonder how anybody can revere this guy. However, drama aside, it basically suggests Islam as a religion can serve as a basis for a culture that can condone religious persecution and some abuse. As a textbook for Islamophobia I give it an A+, but it doesn't jive with the reality of a religion held by so many worldwide with most of them being decent people. "
— Tom, 2/15/2014" Spencer provides a good explanation of why the only hope for fostering moderate Islam is the complete secularization of large sections of the Muslim world. Yes, of course there are crazy, intolerant, fundamentalist Christians and Jews who don't exactly help bring about world peace, but there is a much larger, and vocal, secularized (dare I say Westernized?) community to off-set the fundamentalists, and, at least for now, even fundamentalists abide by the laws of civil society. The question remains how does a modern (modern culturally as well as technologically) world get along with a society that is still living in the Middle Ages. "
— R., 2/4/2014" What a load of crap! This guy's "facts" must have come straight from Fox News....they are grossly distorted and misinterpreted. It's obvious he doesn't know any muslims nor has he read the Qur'an. He can't even reference the Qur'an correctly and his translations and selective use of ayats (verses) while excluding others is irresponsible. Spencer's motivation in writing this book and connections with AIPAC becomes evident the more I read. He makes his living by spreading hatred and misinformation. Spencer had better hope that God isn't real regardless of the chosen faith or he will have much to answer for. Make him get a real job by NOT purchasing this book! "
— Russell, 1/31/2014" An interesting look at some of the less savory aspects of the life of the man who started the religion of Islam. "
— Del, 1/30/2014" No comment, but very interesting. "
— Stephanie, 1/24/2014" If one were to look extremely hard for all the negatives in every religious text of any religion and write a book on it, it is possible to cast any religious figure in a negative light. And that is what the author has done here. The most galling statement of his is that he has not found a single moderate Muslim who abhors violence. Clearly he hasn't been talking to the right people, nor has he ever met a Muslim. "
— Shihab, 1/19/2014" Interesting topic, not interesting writing style. I just couldn't get very far in it. "
— Jennifer, 1/18/2014" Robert Spencer, an "expert" on Islam?? He sure is an "expert" alright. An expert on inciting hate, intolerance, and paranoia in the hearts of his readers. This undocumented portrayal of Muhammad is so divergent from the truth that I am surprised Mr. Spencer's nose has not undergone the Pinocchio effect! Shame on you Mr. Spencer for stooping so low as to attempt the defamation of a figure revered by a quarter of the world's population. One can only wonder if your motivation to write such a book stems from your own insecurities or the desire to push your personal agenda of intensifying the existing climate of hate and fear. Your obvious lack of research skills and pre-conceived negativiity of Muslims and Islam is apparent from cover to cover. Even the title is in great error. An "expert" on Islam would know that Muhammad is not the 'founder' of Islam as Islam is simply a continuation of the message of monotheism laid down by the other two great world religions Judaism and Christianity. As in all of his works on this subject, Mr. Spencer consistently quotes verses from the Quran without placing them in their correct historical context. Mr. Spencer, you are just as guilty of misinterpreting the verses to arouse anxiety and paranoia about Islam as are the 'jihadists' who use the verses to justify their terrorist activities. Your 'expertise' is further under scrutiny as your latest book "Did Muhammad Exist?" questions, then attempts to dismiss, the existence of Muhammad. Make up your mind Mr. Spencer! I did not purchase this book, but rather borrowed it from the public library. I would suggest any fair minded reader to do so as well. Do NOT purchase this book and allow bigots and hatemongers to make profits from their baseless and ignorant writings. "
— Lubna, 1/15/2014" Every Christian must study the life of Muhammad. I am not equipped to judge how accurate this biography is, but it is quite detailed. "
— Terry, 1/9/2014" It is easy to examine other religions, but it is much harder to look at your own beliefs and determine which ones that need to be evaluated. "
— Journey, 12/29/2013" This is a great biography of Muhammad and an honest look into the mysterious world of Islam by understanding more about its founder! "
— George, 12/24/2013" Robert Spencer's works on the Religion of Peace are always a joy to read. "
— Samuel, 12/10/2013" well i can say it was pretty biased. "
— Chuck, 1/19/2013" Just another racist book. written with hate "
— Derucie, 8/4/2012" I received a greater understanding about what Muslims believe. "
— Roger, 7/25/2012" Gave up. Too boring to finish it all. "
— Granny, 7/11/2012" read this and some Karen Armstrong , make up your own mind. "
— Peter, 5/4/2012" The worst about ever. Author clearly has not done enough research to convey the history of Islam. "
— Shabbar, 2/13/2012" A must read: very revealing regarding the genesis of Islam. "The child is the father of the man" -- given Islam's early days and the character of its father, it's no wonder that it often finds itself in violent conflict with democracy and modernity. "
— Sam, 12/17/2011" What Muslims won't tell you about Muhammad. Robert Spencer is excellent on this topic. "
— Janis, 9/7/2011" I thought it was pretty biased and a little boring.I didn't like how the author kept quoting stuff from message boards.Anybody can join a message board,pretend they're Muslim,and then post a bunch of crap.I'd read a book about the same subject,I just didn 't like this one. "
— Soapykitty, 8/7/2011" Muhammad wasn't exactly an Eagle Scout. "
— Ted, 5/22/2011" I am not sure what to make of this book! "
— Suby, 3/27/2011" well i can say it was pretty biased. "
— Chuck, 6/6/2010" It is easy to examine other religions, but it is much harder to look at your own beliefs and determine which ones that need to be evaluated. "
— Journey, 2/24/2010" Interesting topic, not interesting writing style. I just couldn't get very far in it. "
— Jennifer, 2/18/2010" Interesting book about the nature of pan-Islamism and it's philosophical basis. Spencer keeps to sources of those that support that philosophy to provide context for his critique. "
— Peter, 8/2/2009" I received a greater understanding about what Muslims believe. "
— Roger, 6/17/2009" Every Christian must study the life of Muhammad. I am not equipped to judge how accurate this biography is, but it is quite detailed. "
— Terry, 3/26/2009" Everyone who blindly defends Islam needs to read this book, it is truly frightening... way more than Stephen King could ever be. <br/> <br/>Those who defend this religion are either hiding something, or simply ignorant themselves. "
— stan, 12/14/2008" To save myself from the onslaught of persecution, I will just say that this was a mind-opening book. He really addresses some important issues and questions that we all should be thinking. "
— Chase, 11/21/2008Robert Spencer is the director of Jihad Watch, a program of the David Horowitz Freedom Center, and author of the New York Times bestseller The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam (and the Crusades), as well as several other books on Islam and terrorism, including Islam Unveiled: Disturbing Questions about the World’s Fastest Growing Faith and Onward Muslim Soldiers: How Jihad Still Threatens America and the West, as well as a number of monographs and hundreds of articles. He lives in a secure, undisclosed location.
James Adams is one of the world’s leading authorities on terrorism and intelligence, and for more than twenty-five years he has specialized in national security. He is also the author of fourteen bestselling books on warfare, with a particular emphasis on covert warfare. A former managing editor of the London Sunday Times and CEO of United Press International, he trained as a journalist in England, where he graduated first in the country. Now living in Southern Oregon, he has narrated numerous audiobooks and earned an AudioFile Earphones Award and two coveted Audie Award for best narration.