I have started reading the pdf you linked to about the history of Muhammad, it is very interesting. I copied it to my computer and shared it on Limewire under the keywords relating to Islam. I think Americans have done a disservice to everyone involved by maintaining the attitude the Islam, Christianity, Agnostics are all flavors of the same food, and they really are not. I view the so called "Prophet" more and more as nothing but a succesful David Koresh or L Ron Hubbard.
Thanks for the response. I'm happy to hear you find the book interesting. What impresses me the most about this work is not just the content but the amount of research and footnotes from ancient arabic sources, many quoted in the original languages; both Greek and Arabic. The author, Edward Canon Sell, wrote several books on the subject of islam, all of which are available on pdf from the same Net Site, providing, literally, a gold-mine of historical information.
Published in 1913, this study of the life of the 'prophet' provides us with a warning - and the facts contained in the book, cannot be disputed by the apologists for islam. It becomes very obvious, when you read the biography, just what mohammad was, and why muslims are actually discouraged from reading his biography. (They do have a version, I believe it's called Sira, but most of them don't know it even exists.)
What the book sets out so clearly is the motivation behind the 'revelations'. As the koran is not written down in chronological order, each surah (or verse) must be seen in the light of what suited and worked for mohammad in his quest for power. Each 'revelation' was nothing but self-serving. The man was a cunning manipulator.
I have also felt as you do, we have been done a great disservice by our governments who continue to maintain that islam is what it is not - a religion - but after consideration, I believe it is the public, the voters, people like you and I, who must influence our leaders. Democracy works from the bottom up, not from the top down. Any 'education' messages about islam from government would be seen by the Left as propaganda and shouted down. They would only be handing the Left a stick with which to beat us.
Therefor we must be prepared to educate ourselves, and help as many as we can, to do the same. The biography serves that purpose very well, because it is written so simply and truthfully, without sensationalism. No one who reads this book will remain in doubt about the cult of mohammad.
I am also very happy to hear that you have decided to share this link with others. As time passes, I have noticed more and more people are beginning to understand and speak openly, regardless of PC laws. I for one, disregard them. I would rather take the risk of being charged with hate speech than keep quiet. I believe the truth wins, everytime.
Continue to share the Life of Muhammad with everyone you can; truth is the best service to mankind I can think of.