Reviews (10)

excellent as intended
i don't know why reviewers are parsing and saying, well, this is actually atravelogue or it isn't really about religious concerns... More travelogue than spiritual journey . . .
Readers expecting insights into Islamic spirituality will find this a different kind of book. Its first half describes a long visit to Marrakesh during which the author is the house guest of an old friend who is a shop owner in the Old City's bazaar. A recent convert to Islam in California, Wolfe discovers how the teachings of Muhammad infuse the daily life and culture of this Moroccan city.
Kirkus Review Above Is Bigoted
Oh dear, for just one instant a Muslim writer forgot to key his writing to allaying Western concerns about Islam and addressing Western stereotypes, for their noble concerns must frame our every endeavor, so he rightly gets rapped on the hand by the Kirkus Review included above by Amazon:
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Subjects:  1. Essays & Travelogues    2. Islam - General    3. Mecca    4. Middle East - General    5. Muslim pilgrims and pilgrimages    6. Muslims    7. Pilgrims and pilgrimages    8. Religion - World Religions    9. Saudi Arabia    10. Travel    11. United States    12. Islam    13. North Africa    14. Travel writing   

Reviews (4)

When its good, it's very good...

A Missed Opportunity
The Hajj is a fascinating topic and this book promised something possibly unique: a travelogue which attempts to reconcile the detachment of an ethnographer with the physical, mental and emotional demands of a committed participant. However, the end product is almost completely undone by long, turgid, almost unreadable and certainly incomprehensible passages written in academic gobbledeygook. Sokal & Bricmont did us all a favour by dissing this style of writing in their book 'Fashionable Nonsense'. All we now need is a fatwa from Al-Azhar University which does the same for authors like Hammoudi.Having said this, what remains is actually worth persisting with as the author does not hold back on either the negative aspects or virtues of the Hajj experience. In other words, it's a warts and all portrayal that is rather different from the sanitised descriptions of the pilgrimage in most Islam textbooks. In closing, then, the book is just about worth the effort: two and a half stars would be a more realistic rating if this were possible.

A Muslim writer questions his religion's fundamentals
A SEASON IN MECCA: NARRATIVE OF A PILGRIMAGE comes from a Muslim writer who is always questioning his religion's fundamentals - but not its meaning. His survey of how his fellow Muslim make the pilgrimage to Mecca, and why, gets him on the road of pilgrims, to personally investigate the different worlds of Islam and the varied reasons pilgrims have for making the sacred journey. Moroccan scholar Hammoudi's own pilgrimage to Mecca describes its history, religious importance, and social effects alike, as well as the politics which influence the pilgrimage itself. A 'must' for any who would understand modern Muslim sentiments.
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Subjects:  1. Islam    2. Islam - General    3. Islam - Rituals & Practice    4. Mecca    5. Middle East - General    6. Morocco    7. Muslim pilgrims and pilgrimages    8. Religion    9. Religion - World Religions    10. Saudi Arabia    11. Travel Guides    12. Religion / Islam   

Reviews (7)

Classic adventure... and mostly true!
I confess: Richard F Burton is one of my heroes. In part, it's because much of my life has been spent in his traces, from India, through the Middle East, to Baltimore and the Great Plains.
Sir Richard Burton - a man not of his time
Excellent writing about an arduous journey to meccah. While not the first European to enter the holy city, he was the first to pace off dimensions and publish an extensive survey of the area, the city and the muslims' sacred meterorite. Very interesting subject material particularly in the 21st century.

bibliography & note
India:Read more

Subjects:  1. Arabian Peninsula    2. Description and travel    3. Essays & Travelogues    4. Mecca    5. Mecca (Saudi Arabia)    6. Medina (Saudi Arabia)    7. Middle East - General    8. Muslim pilgrims and pilgrimage    9. Muslim pilgrims and pilgrimages    10. Saudi Arabia    11. Special Interest - Adventure    12. Travel    13. Travel - Foreign    14. Classic travel writing    15. Islam    16. Other prose: 19th century    17. Pilgrimage    18. Travel / Adventure   

Reviews (1)

An ok place to start
As with most guidebooks, you can't really expect much depth in this one. I think the book errs in trying too hard to discuss political events and not enough on what the country's really like. It's not at all clear, in fact, that Mr. Ham actually ever visited the country.
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Subjects:  1. Middle East - General    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Saudi Arabia    5. Travel & holiday guides   

Subjects:  1. Description and travel    2. Ibn SaÊ»ūd    3. Saudi Arabia   

Subjects:  1. Travel    2. Saudi Arabia    3. Travel & holiday guides   

Subjects:  1. Middle East - General    2. Reference - General    3. Special Interest - Business Travel    4. Travel    5. Travel - Foreign   

Editorial Review

These photographs of the Muslim holy cities Mecca and Medina, taken by a Japanese convert, Ali Kazuyoshi Nomachi, are something new for most Westerners, and perhaps even for many Muslims. Non-Muslims are never allowed into Mecca, and it is almost unheard-of for religious and government leaders to allow such pictures to be taken. Most of these images were shot during the holy month of Ramadan, when many faithful are in Mecca and Medina on pilgrimage. Read more

Reviews (18)

Put Politics and Religion Aside and Enjoy the Pictures
Several readers have reviewed MECCA THE BLESSED, MEDINA THE RADIANT based on their negative political views of Saudi Arabia as well as the religious prohibition preventing non-Muslims from entering Mecca and Medina.Although I share these views (see my review of HATRED'S KINGDOM by Dore Gold), this is not a political book but one of photography and my review is on that basis.And on that basis, the book is very good.
Truely Unique Pictures
I have to say that I found this book to be very enlightning.It is truely a work of art for pictures to convey the emotions and suspenseful situation that the pilgrames who are performing their Hajj are experiencing.I had experienced and performed the Hajj about 3 years ago and truely the pictures convey the emotional and spiritual roller coaster every pilgram had felt.Unfortunately, my only complaint maybe that there aren't enough pictures!!But...kudos to the photographer who had to work through the difficult atmosphere just to get these pictures anyways.
Good between the visual and the intellectual
As many are aware of, Professor Nasr is one of the foremost intellectuals of our time.The information presented is unique in that it is coupled with wonderful pictorials of the Holy Cities of Islam.Both informative and beautiful, this publication offers and a holistic representation of two of the most intact religious sanctuaries on the planet.
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Subjects:  1. Comparative Religion    2. Islam    3. Islam - General    4. Mecca    5. Mecca (Saudi Arabia)    6. Medina    7. Medina (Saudi Arabia)    8. Muslim pilgrims and pilgrimage    9. Muslim pilgrims and pilgrimages    10. Photo Essays    11. Pictorial works    12. Religion    13. Religion - World Religions    14. Saudi Arabia    15. Subjects & Themes - Travel - World/Middle East    16. Photographs: collections   

Reviews (2)

Interesting expat perspective
All I'll say is that the author had the patience (or stubborn-ness!) of a saint! After reading about her experiences with the religious police, what tourist would WANT to go there if they could?

Behind the Veil:An Australian nurse in Saudi Arabia
Lydia Laube in her adventures "Behind the Veil:An Australian nurse in Saudi Arabia" has captured the essence of her experience.She begins by taking the reader on her journey, as she enters Saudi Arabia as atravel nurse on a one year contract assignment.Her love of adventureshines through as she relates to the reader the unique culture shock andcustoms of this closed country.Her story, for many travelers will be allthat they may experience of this oil rich nation that does not admittourists.Laube successfully pulls the reader into the very essence of theculture, language and customs of the Muslim daily life.She candidlyshares the challenges of health care in a nation, plagued by ineffieciency,where women have no rights, censorship is the norm and capital punishmentis strickly enforced.Laube remains strong with determination to improveher surroundings, and the level of care at this hospital, a challengeespecially as a woman in a culture that does not respect women.She sharesthe triumphs and sorrows of daily life.Laube relates the misfortunes ofexpatriates from the Philippines, Sudan, India, Korea and Europeancountries and of recruiting agencies misguided promises.Laube's candidbook is a must read for every nurse or health care professional consideringa term in Saudi Arabia.Also an excellent resource for expatriatesplanning a term of service. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1948-    2. Australia    3. Biography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Essays & Travelogues    6. Laube, Lydia,    7. Medical - Nurses    8. Nurses    9. Politics/International Relations    10. Saudi Arabia    11. Travel    12. Women    13. Biography: historical    14. Islamic studies    15. Laube, Lydia    16. Travel / Essays & Travelogues   

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business/Economics    3. Careers - Job Hunting    4. Industries - Hospitality, Travel & Tourism    5. Middle East - General    6. Personal & Practical Guides    7. Travel - Foreign    8. Arabian peninsula    9. Living & working abroad    10. Travel / Middle East / General   

Reviews (9)

Relevant
A woman from "the West" describes what it is like to enter, in the 1960s, the Muslim world. She marries a Muslim and describes what it's like to try and adapt his ways in his country. Though I got the feeling that she was trying a little too hard to put a positive spin on things, it's informative and interesting.

Excellent
I am a granddaughter of Marianne Alireza, and I am very proud of her accomplishments. Through reading the book, I found out things about Saudi that are no longer seen today and felt that it was her strength and perseverence which enabled her to do what she did. She was warned of some of the hardships she might encounter in giving up her western life and moving to the unknown, however she did not let that get in her way and I find this to be inspirational to not only women but anyone who may face similar circumstances of marrying into a different culture. I will admit however that it does take a certain type of person with a strong mind and good heart to be able to embrace a mentality and life that is so different to that of their own.

I wish that this book was in Saudi!
I am currently residing here in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and read an articleon this lady in my "Arabian Woman" magazine a wee while ago. Saudi Arabia is a country which many are mesmorised by and are interested in and I can assure everyone it is certainly a country which most people will never forget if they have ever lived there. Sure it is has it's bad points (but doesn't every country) and yes it has some good things about it as well. The best advice I can offer is to go there with an Open mind and respect that yes these people are different to my own culture but hey it is interesting to be living amongst them in their "world". I, myself have enjoyed the hospitality of many Arabs here and are grateful to them all for their kindness. As a woman I thought that it would be hard but I have been fortunate and have made some lovely friends from the Middle East.I am just saddened by all the recent problems that we have had from the Muslim world too but many of them worry about this as much as we do. My philosophy:Read more

Subjects:  1. Alireza, Marianne    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. General    5. Middle East - Saudi Arabia    6. Saudi Arabia    7. Social life and customs    8. Travel    9. Biography: general    10. Journeys    11. Marriage, family & other relationships    12. c 1945 to c 1960   

Subjects:  1. Biography/Autobiography    2. Description and travel    3. Saudi Arabia   

Subjects:  1. 1868-1926    2. Bell, Gertrude Lowthian,    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography - General    5. Children's Books/Young Adult Biography    6. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    7. General    8. Juvenile Nonfiction    9. Juvenile literature    10. Saudi Arabia    11. Stateswomen    12. Travel    13. Travelers    14. Women    15. Biography: general   

Reviews (2)

A Spiritual Experience
I am just reading the German original of this book. I am deeply touched by it because the sincerity of the author shines through every word. M.Hofmann has been in diplomatic service for decades and served as German Ambassador to Morocco and Algeria. Understand Muslims better
Because the book is about the exepriance of a German Muslim, it gives the reader an idea about the Islamic World and how they think. Because thewriter is a German he is more likely to be able to explain the Islamictraditions that might seem strange to non-muslims or be interpritednegatively. I like the book because it helped me understand how Muslims-who are not Arab -think and express themselves. Hofmann wrote otherinteresting books.One of his best books I think isThe journals of aMuslim German.This book reviels how he was presented to Islam and thedifference Islam brought to his life. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Description and travel    3. General    4. Hofmann, Murad Wilfried    5. Mecca    6. Mecca (Saudi Arabia)    7. Muslim pilgrims and pilgrimage    8. Muslim pilgrims and pilgrimages    9. Religion    10. Saudi Arabia    11. Travel    12. Islam    13. Journeys   

Subjects:  1. Saudi Arabia    2. Travel & holiday guides   

Subjects:  1. Description and travel    2. Essays & Travelogues    3. Middle East - General    4. Petroleum industry and trade    5. Saudi Arabia    6. Social life and customs    7. Travel    8. Travel - Foreign    9. Middle East    10. TRAVEL & HOLIDAY    11. Travel writing   

Reviews (1)

A must for anyone moving to the GCCs
My husband and I are going to move to Kuwait soon for work and we needed as much information as possible on living conditions there. Let me tell you that it's not easy to find useful info on Kuwait and we have found it in this book. If you are planning to move to any of the Gulf countries than this book is a must! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - General    2. Asia - Southeast    3. Careers - General    4. Careers - Job Hunting    5. International - General    6. Reference - General    7. Travel    8. Travel - Foreign    9. ASIA    10. Living & working abroad    11. Middle East    12. Saudi Arabia    13. TRAVEL & HOLIDAY    14. Travel / General    15. Career   

Reviews (3)

if only we'd read this first!
Nothing can really prepare you for the first visit to Saudi Arabia. No wonder ex-pats refer to it as "The Magic Kingdom"! We read all the usual guides, ranging from the commercially available ones to the highly enthusiastic Saudi government ones... We tried to learn a few phrases in advance and - as fairly experienced ex-pats, were looking forward to another new phase in our life. However, Saudi is so different that we might as well have saved ourselves all the bother! Jewel Dhuru's book definitely sums up the "Saudi experience" that we, and most of the other ex-pats we met, came eventually to enjoy. I would recommend it not only as a good read "per se" but also as a frank and revealing insight into the pangs and pleasures in store for those heading to the "Magic Kingdom".

if only we'd read this first!
Nothing can really prepare you for the first visit to Saudi Arabia. No wonder ex-pats refer to it as "The Magic Kingdom"! We read all the usual guides, ranging from the commercially available ones to the highly enthusiastic Saudi government ones... We tried to learn a few phrases in advance and - as fairly experienced ex-pats, were looking forward to another new phase in our life. However, Saudi is so different that we might as well have saved ourselves all the bother! Jewel Dhuru's book definitely sums up the "Saudi experience" that we, and most of the other ex-pats we met, came eventually to enjoy. I would recommend it not only as a good read "per se" but also as a frank and revealing insight into the pangs and pleasures in store for those heading to the "Magic Kingdom".

Ala Tool,adventures and misadventures in Saudi Arabia
As a woman who also lived in Saudi Arabia I could easily relate to her adventures and various encounters with the people of this mysterious country. An enjoyable and informative read. For a different perspective I would also recommend "Single in Saudi" by Genia, a single woman's story of life in Saudi. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Middle East - General    5. Personal Memoirs    6. Travelers    7. Middle East    8. Travel & holiday guides   

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12    2. General    3. Juvenile Fiction   

Reviews (5)

Wrong mileage
I used this book for my travel to Saudi Arabia following the footsteps of Nassir Khusraw, the Persian poet and philosopher who went to Mecca in 1045. According to this book the distancebetween Medina to Jeddah and Mecca is 390 and 410, respectively. Nassir Khusraw in his "Safarnameh" says the distance between Medina and Mecca is 100 Farsang (about 600 kilometer). I was wondering why he overstimates the distance. In my book, then I added a paragraph explaining the reasons and theorizing that he might have travelled a longer route, due to dangers on the road and search for water. He was always correct in his estimation of the distance between many cities he travelled. Then I found out about MSN Encarta World Atlas. I typed the name of these cities and found out the distance was 629 and 605 kilometer, respectively.
Garbage Book
First of all this Iranian guy is correct. The official name of this body of water is PERSIAN Gulf. The term Arabian Gulf was invented in 1970s by some Pan Arabists who failed to show up at their geography classes. Theauthor's use of this term shows simply his arrogance and fact that he doesnot know the region nor its people. By using "Arabian Gulf" hesimply wants to impress ignorant Arabs into buying his book. Worked well for me
Having just returned from a 5 week trip through Oman, UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain I can say that Lonely Planet has again produced an accurate and useful guide.And despite the fact that it is several years old, pricesand descriptions were still right.The guide's advice to try to get to theMusandem Peninsula in Oman was a fine piece of advice--it is amazinglybeautiful.Read more

Subjects:  1. Middle East - General    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. ASIA    5. Bahrain    6. Kuwait    7. Oman    8. Qatar    9. Saudi Arabia    10. Travel & holiday guides    11. United Arab Emirates