Khalifah
John Elray
(Associate Reviewer - Gail Evans)
2002 Aardwolfe Books
ISBN: 0970777620

Conquest & Personal Triumph of how the son of Muhammad's arch-enemy took control of the Muslim Empire.

A forced Muslim convert defies all odds to become the supreme ruler of an empire that stretches from Egypt to Persia in this drama, which pits Arab against Arab during the Muslim rise to power in the seventh century A.D.

Associate Reviewer Gail Evans writes:

The glories of Greece had long since faded, the Roman Empire fallen to dust & Europe is enveloped in the Dark Ages, when across the Mediterranean, a new empire is being forged, the history of which has not often been explored in Western literature.

After the prophet Mohammed's death in 632 A.D., treachery, war & political intrigue permeate the desert sands in the Middle East. Numerous warlords vie for political power, coupled with a campaign to convert all under the banner of Islam.

Khalifah is an entertaining & informative read, written along the lines of How the West was Won. But in this case, it would be “How the Middle East was Won” -- a Wilbur Smith of the desert, which sheds light & understanding on the customs, life style & turmoil of the early years of Islam.

Khalifah is not heavy-handed on the religious aspect, though this is explained & explored within the story where various factions, including Muslims, clash swords. Rather, John Elray focuses on the political & social intrigues of the many tribes who eventually united under the banner of Islam. This is brought about by the exploits of the central character, Mu'awiya, who, after a thirty year odyssey, achieves personal triumph as well as peace & prosperity for the Faithful, when he takes on the mantle of Khalifah.

If you enjoy historical fiction, action, bravery, corruption, intricate plots & romance,then Khalifah is for you.
(12/02/02)

Gail Evans
2002©Gail Evans
A RebeccasReads.Com Associate Reviewer

Reviewer's Bio:
I currently live in Johannesburg, South Africa & am the author of: The Firstborn of God: Resolving the Contradictions In The Bible, Time Trials & Meditations In My Favourite Places In Southern Africa.