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I have just arrived back in Secure Undisclosed Locationville on the mid-afternoon stagecoach. Yesterday I had a very fruitful day-long consultation at the United States Central Command in Tampa, Florida.
And now it is time to get to writing again. Waiting for me on my return to the Jihad Watch Towers was a contract from Regnery Publishing for a new book -- a biography of the Prophet of Islam called The Truth About Muhammad.
For this book I will work strictly from Islamic sources in order to provide a portrayal of Muhammad the way mainstream Muslims regard him today. Of course, there are many worthy biographies of Muhammad available today. I don't intend to duplicate or replace them. What I hope to do is address how the idea of the imitation of Muhammad affects Muslim behavior today, and what this reveals about the prospects for Islamic moderation and reform -- the hope for which guides so much public policy nowadays.
I also have decided to write the book, despite the obvious risk, precisely because of that risk. I don't want to live in a society in which people are afraid to state some obvious and simple truths for fear of violent retaliation.
Look for the book this fall.
Posted by Robert at May 24, 2006 2:59 PM
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Yesterday I had a very fruitful day-long consultation at the United States Central Command in Tampa, Florida.
Posted by Robert at May 24, 2006 02:59 PM
Robert is there any chance you could give us more details about the meeting, I assume you were talking about Islam, could you let us know in a broad sense what was discussed. I would love to know how our military brass are approaching the issue of Islam.
Of course I uderstand if you can't what with national security issues. I guess knowing you were there is a good sign.
Keep up the good work sir.
Posted by: km![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jihadwatch.org/nav-commenters.gif)
at May 24, 2006 3:18 PM
How many horses are needed to haul that armor plated stagecoach?
Posted by: Shy Guy at May 24, 2006 3:21 PM
Best of luck...I think the least we can do is buy the book and give copies to family and friends...I just hope the bookstores are not cowed into submission (what an appropriate word in this context)
Posted by: Celsius at May 24, 2006 3:31 PM
god bless you robert...we need more like you!
Posted by: storagemanager at May 24, 2006 3:34 PM
name you price..i will force my family to buy also...lol
Posted by: storagemanager at May 24, 2006 3:49 PM
Best of luck Robert on the new project. Generous use of Bukari and Muslim will undoubtedly help to clear up the continuing and wide-spread misconceptions about the moral "integrity" of the Prophet.
Posted by: Cornelius at May 24, 2006 3:54 PM
Just what I need, Another book that I'm guaranteed to buy, that'll get me in trouble with the Black Muslims at my church. Hurry up and write that book Bob!!!
Posted by: Ironman Hondo at May 24, 2006 4:05 PM
Woohoo!! Can't wait for fall.
Posted by: freewoman at May 24, 2006 4:06 PM
I hope you dont have problems getting it published in our too P.C. world.
Come to think of it, I could find "The idiots Guide to islam and the Crusades" in my local Borders bookshop but not the more controversial titles "Why I am not a Muslim" nor "Defeating Jihad"
Better take a lesson in deciet from Islam, Robert, and just called it "Mohammed" or "The Prophet"
I am being facetious, but sadly this is how things go these days.
at May 24, 2006 4:06 PM
To Robert Spencer:
Given the great success you are having with your Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam and the Crusades, I hope in your bio of Muhammed you will employ, to whatever extent possible, a similar relatively short, user-friendly, 'multi-media' and graphics endowed format. Maybe this could entail nothing more than interspersing the text pages with plenty of cartoons. But I hope you'll do something along those lines. The multi-media type book creates a rhythmic alternation between visual and verbal thinking somewhat like the rhythm of systole and diastole in the heart, and just as the rhythm of the heart allows it to beat indefinitely without tiring, a reader given a multimedia book format typically has greatly enhanced reader endurance. Thus a multi-media type book could be longer than a traditional format book without any consequent drop in popularity. People who would pleasantly cruise through a traditional format book will often positively devour the same book in multi-media format, and people who would fail to get through a traditional format book will succeed in finishing the same book in multimedia format. (Such is my experience in comparing your PIG guide with your other books. I enjoyed the latter but devoured the former.)
at May 24, 2006 4:18 PM
Would love to hear more about the consulting with the United States Central Command in Tampa, provided it doesn't make less likely your being invited to give more consultations of that sort.
Posted by: traeh at May 24, 2006 4:23 PM
"Look for the book this fall." -Robert
Good news. I will indeed look for the book and tell two friends and so on.
As Robert has noted many times, the Koran itself gives the instruction to obey Mohammad, that to obey Mohammad is to obey Allah (4:80), that Mohammad is a fine example to emulate (33:21), and that he is of a high standard of character (68:4): "68:4. And verily, you (O Muhammad SAW) are on an exalted standard of character."
Obey Muhammad (3:32, 3:132, 4:13, 4:59, 4:69, 4:80, 5:92, 8:1-2, 8:20, 8:46, 9:71, 24:47, 24:52-56, 33:33, 47:33, 49:14, 58:13, 59:7)
Posted by: Archimedes at May 24, 2006 5:00 PM
Mr. Spencer,
it is funny you mention this, just last night I was thinking about how the movie Passion of the Christ had such an affect (good bad or otherwise) on the general population, and then I thought about the cartoon riots, and then, like chocolate and peanut butter, I put them together and thought "wouldn't it be something else if someone did a MOVIE on the life of the prophet muhammed?". You writing about this can't be coincidence, I am sure that you could convince someone with more money than me, tape it out in the deserts of America (careful of the mojahadeen training camps in Arizona), and then just sit back and watch as the muslim world falls in on it's self trying to combat the truth, their truth! It would have to be done by someone with enough knowledge about the "religion", and larger-than-life stones. From what little I do know about all of this stuff, you qualify for the first part...the second part you have to work out on your own! All I ask from you is to just imagine....
at May 24, 2006 5:07 PM
Robert
Great move, although that makes us more concerned about your safety. Only thing - instead of the title being "The truth about Muhammad" - something that will be open to dispute, fairly or unfairly, I'd have picked something like "The Muslim truth about Muhammad" - or something along those lines. GreatShaitan's suggestion was good as well, although I have a strong suspicion that such a title is already taken.
I'm too scared to imagine what the cover would look like. Maybe a photo of a man with his face covered: since the face is covered, it could be anybody, but one could pretend it's Muhammad.
Please do consider one thing - making it available as an e-book on the Internet, for the sake of those in countries where the book is likely to be banned. This would be not just Muslim countries, but also Dhimmi countries like India. There are models where the money for such reading could be re-couped, which may be worth considering.
Posted by: Infidel Pride at May 24, 2006 5:46 PM
"if someone did a MOVIE on the life of the prophet muhammed?"
-- from a posting above
It's been done. Libyan money. Moroccan locations, until a phone call from the Saudis caused King Hassan to boot the moviemakers out overnight. Anthony Quinn. Life of Mohammad, without a view of Mohammed. Hamlet without the Prince.
You can also read "The Marrakech Express" by Richard Grenier, about the making of such a movie on the life of Muhammad. Acute and very funny, with passages about Islam and Muslims that will causemany readers to collapse in unstoppable mirth.
Posted by: Hugh at May 24, 2006 5:47 PM
Congratulations, Robert. Can't wait to read the new book.
Posted by: Shinoliite at May 24, 2006 5:53 PM
Robert,
Regarding your "consultation at the US Central Command," were you actually solicited to share your expertise with the US Armed Forces? If so, how were you received? Were their questions informed?
Posted by: Cornelius at May 24, 2006 6:03 PM
the best of success on your new book Robert! perhaps on the cover you can use a stick man for muhammud, to show how shallow this prophet of doom was.
Posted by: Lulu at May 24, 2006 6:08 PM
Robert
Fantastic - can't wait to feast my eyes on another of your scholarly but reader friendly books.
at May 24, 2006 6:32 PM
Robert
Wonderful news. You are a mighty example of 'THE PEN IS GREATER THAN THE SWORD.'Every good wish for your well being and safety. Your courage is noticed and applauded by all-although obviously not The Islam Channel.
at May 24, 2006 6:44 PM
Congratulations Robert - you're work is immeasurably valuable.
You'll have a lot of fun writing this book; I can't wait to read it! Make Oriana proud, and don't hold anything back (as if you would!).
And ditto on KM's post.
Posted by: oregonjack at May 24, 2006 6:52 PM
I am so glad to hear that you are meeting with our Defense dept. Perhaps there is hope for America.
I've got to get that Marrakech Express book. Sounds like a great book - the travails of making a Mo movie.
Posted by: John Sobieski at May 24, 2006 6:58 PM
THE TRUTH ABOUT MUHAMMED is a good title. It implies that there is a "hidden past" to be revealed, or some "dark secrets" now come to light or maybe some "skeletons in the closet"- and just how many skeletons would one find in the "prophet's" closet?
I also like
APPROACHING MUHHAMED(Pitchfork In Hand)
THE LUST PROPHET and
PERVMO If you live-kill!
BTW
I'm currently working on a screenplay about the life of Saddam in the years leading up to the '03 invasion entitled
DESPERATELY SEEKING NERVEGAS
Posted by: hasan salami at May 24, 2006 7:00 PM
Robert,
We are all proud of you. You are a true missionary.
Go team!
God bless you.
Posted by: Knight4AO at May 24, 2006 7:14 PM
Robert, my best wishes for your next upcoming book.
Posted by: bigcatgirl13106 at May 24, 2006 7:14 PM
Congrats Robert, I'm very happy that a publisher is willing to tackle this contentious subject. Since a bounty will be put on your head you might as well include lots of PICTURES!
Posted by: William The Crusader at May 24, 2006 7:32 PM
Mr. Spencer-
Will this be in direct competition with Hugh's "MOHAMMAD FOR DUMMIES"?
Many images from medieval Islam (Turkey, Persia, India, etc.) showing Mohammad unveiled could be handily used to illustrate the text and give the lie to the Islamic iconoclastic myth that it has always been forbidden to show the pedophile "prophet"'s face.
May your fountain pen never leak and your hard drive never freeze-up.
A possible motto for the work:
"Ogni medaglia ha il suo rovescio."
("Every medal has its reverse.")
Posted by: profitsbeard at May 24, 2006 7:50 PM
Robert sez:
"...very fruitful day-long consultation at the United States Central Command in Tampa, Florida..."
Are they listening? Are your books becoming the official guide-books on how to deal with Mohammedanism?
That would be great news indeed!
For your Mo-biography I have no doubt that Quaradwi himself will issue a fatwa.
Not to worry: Sheik yer'mami already issued a counter-fatwa against Quaradwi, so its okay...!
Posted by: sheik yer'mami at May 24, 2006 8:08 PM
Robert, good luck with your new book. I will read it and look forward to it.
Posted by: biorabbi at May 24, 2006 8:46 PM
Friends:
Thank you for all your kind words.
And thank you for your prayers.
In regard to the inquiries about, "Will it get published?" The answer is yes. It will. In the main post you will see that I already have a contract for the book with Regnery Publishing.
In regard to inquiries about my day at Central Command: It was a visit that contained open and lively discussion on a variety of issues pertaining to my area of expertise, but the specifics are off the record.
Cordially
Robert Spencer
at May 24, 2006 8:51 PM
It was a visit that contained open and lively discussion on a variety of issues pertaining to my area of expertise, but the specifics are off the record.
Thats great to hear Robert, I am so glad that the people that do need to be taking notice of you finally are.
at May 24, 2006 9:55 PM
Robert: You are a distinguished scholar and writer about Islam.
I am grateful for your past intellectual contributions.
I can't wait to buy your new book about Muhammad.
Congratulations!
Posted by: Johnathan
at May 25, 2006 1:51 AM
Infidel Pride,
The face of paedophile murderer mohammad will not be covered. From what I have learned about islam, he had a freaky beard and wore loose sack clothes and wrapped a cloth around his head.( You cannot describe it as a turban, a turban is somewhat more sophisticated). And that is what all muslims try to look like. It must be written in kuran, the dress code for zombies.
Beards, across all religions and faiths, are regarded as signs of wisdom and age. Rabbis have them, Hindu saints have them , in fact all religions have "Wise Men" with beards. But, as you all must have noticed, the muslim beard is unique. I do not know how they achieve this. I can tell a muslim by his beard, even if he is wearing a suit. Somebody please tell me if I am accurate in writing so.
I am going to buy a lot of these books and send the first to Mr. Prez, second to Condi, third to a Eurodhimmi.......
Posted by: arjun.sevak at May 25, 2006 2:36 AM
Hearing that another Robert Spencer book is in the works is GREAT NEWS.
And what could be better than something that will help the infidel world understand this central figure of Islam?
Hurrah & Bravo! Not only for Mr. Spencer, but also for Regnery, for seeking the book and planning to publish it. This will be another vital step towards increased understanding of what the hell we are up against.
As 'StillBreathing' said:
"Let the truth be known."
==========================
It is promising that Mr. Spencer is having "open and lively discussion on a variety of issues pertaining to [his] area of expertise" at the U.S. Central Command.
YEAH!!! God bless us Infidels
Posted by: corax at May 25, 2006 2:44 AM
Robert:
A question you might address in your new book:
What is it that gives Muslims such a blind devotion to Islam, anyway? They wax poetic and misty-eyed as they expound about how wonderful Muhammad was.
Even radical Christian born-agains are not so overcome with their faith!
For even well-educated Muslims to be so irrationally fond of Islam seems to indicate a lifelong brainwashing campaign—of a magnitude unknown in western countries—has been carried out. Might an exploration of this phenomenon fit into the story of Muhammad?
Posted by: corax at May 25, 2006 2:56 AM
I am going to buy a lot of these books and send the first to Mr. Prez, second to Condi, third to a Eurodhimmi....... Posted by: arjun.sevakarjun
Please make sure that BJP leaders in India get it as well - of late, they have been busy attending Iftar dinners. If Muslims howl about this book, instead of it going unnoticed, don't be surprised if India actually bans it. Which is why I was asking about the possibility of it being available online, on a subscription basis.
This would be a major eye opener for much of the world. Although most people see Muslims as a beligerant group, they tend to think of Mohammed in the same vein as Christ, Buddha, Moses, et al, which is perhaps the most odious comparison one could make. I always had a negative impression of Islam just on my observations of not just Muslim depredations throughout the Middle East, North Africa, India and the Balkans, but somehow, I always had an impression that Mohammed was a preacher from my 3rd grade history. I only learnt about him recently over the internet, while going through some of the assorted links from this website. Suddenly, the whole thing started to make sense. I had hoped that the Danish cartoons would ignite a curiousity about what Mohammed was really like with the Infidel peoples everywhere, but somehow, that didn't seem to happen. I do hope this book becomes a bestseller, and is read across the spectrum of political opinion.
Posted by: Infidel Pride at May 25, 2006 3:09 AM
Robert,
Your new project is a brilliant idea. Not only because millions of Westerners know so little about Muhammad, (indeed, I knew almost nothing until I read PIGuide to Islam and Crusades), but more importantly, you have indicated you will work strictly from Islamic sources.
How can any Muslim object to your book if you strictly use their own holy scriptures? You don't need to embellish the story anyway, the Qur'an and Hadith are chock-full of all the horrifying details as is.
at May 25, 2006 3:21 AM
Infidel Pride,
I'll give copies to all. I recently approached a pracharak. I wanted to give him a copy of the kuran in English. He already had it. So, a lot of people do know the truth and are doing something, anything, that they can. But, because formally there is no war, so we must remain hidden and do our acts clandestinely. We'll win this war.
at May 25, 2006 3:46 AM
I will be looking forward to your new book, Mr Spencer. Keep up the excellent work, it is greatly appreciated.
Posted by: abad at May 25, 2006 4:08 AM
So much hinges round the emulation of Mohammed as "the perfect man".
Pray for Mr Spencer's health and well being during this venture.
at May 25, 2006 4:09 AM
Oh another book worth the wait, two months it took the book store to get "P.I.G. to islam" and I'm still waiting for "islam unveiled" This book will probably get to Australia sometime in 2008 and what a movie this new one would make, like Ghangus Khan eat your heart out..
Keep up the good work Robert..
Posted by: eloivsdiablo at May 25, 2006 5:06 AM
Mr. Spencer you could rethink about the title. A more innocuous sounding name seems more appropriate to me for an explosive book which is destined to make headlines all over the world.
Suggestions
The Life of M
Posted by: Sandracottus at May 25, 2006 11:37 AM
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