Arabia: the Cradle of Islam. Studies in the Geography, People and Politics of the Peninsula with an Account of Islam and Mission-work by Zwemer, Samuel Marinus (1867-1952) - 1900

New York: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1900. First American Edition. Decorated Cloth Hardcover. Very Good.

Publisher's brick-red cloth with titles and design in white and black. 8vo. 8.5 inches tall; 434 pages with an index and a page of publisher advert. 40 illustrations with a folding chart and two folding maps (one in color). The bindings are tight and square. Text clean, light even toning. Moderate shelf handling wear. Introduction by Rev. James S. Dennis. First American Edition.. An account of the history, geography, religion, and political and social situation of the Middle East, and especially of the Arabian Peninsula, from a Christian missionary point of view.

Though his missionary efforts saw little progress he was influential in raising others to the cause.

This early work is useful in its first-hand depiction of the peoples of Arabia and to understand the long-standing enmity between Christians and Muslims.

Background Information:
Reverend Samuel Marinus Zwemer sometimes nicknamed 'the Apostle to Islam', was an American missionary, traveler and scholar. A Calvinist who worked for the Reformed Church of America.

Together with James Cantine and John G. Lansing, Zwemer founded the Arabian Mission, which was active from 1889 until 1913. During that time, Zwemer was active in Iraq, Bahrein, and several locations in Arabia. He also worked in Egypt and travelled extensively throughout Asia Minor. From 1929 until his retirement at the age of 70.