Elsa Marston - The Compassionate Warrior. Abd el-Kader of Algeria

This clear and accessible biography will provide young readers with a valuable portrait of the Emir Abd el-Kader, who was so admired in 19th-century America. It is an admirable contribution to the understanding of the encounters between Muslims and Christians in the age of colonialism.

Carl W. Ernst, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, author of How to Read the Quran: A New Guide, with Select Translations and editor of Islamophobia in America

At a time when negative stereotypes dominate the public perception of Islam and Muslims, our young people are sorely in need of positive role models who embody the highest ideals of what it means to live a life of dignity and purpose. Marston has filled that void with this gripping narrative of the life of Emir Abd el-Kader, a towering figure who inspires us all to a greater sense of humanity and justice no matter what religion we may practice.

Robert F. Shedinger, Luther College, author of Was Jesus a Muslim?

Abd el-Kadera man of principle, Muslim spiritual leader, diplomat, Arab luminaryled a rich and engaged life, despite decades of exile. This Algerian heros story provides a fascinating window into the history of the nineteenth century, reflecting social and religious values and the tumultuous political times, and helping us make connections between Frances brutal colonial policies, the Algerians valiant resistance, and one leaders dignified and powerful struggle for justice. Marstons is an important contribution to youth literature, and will doubtless be a truly lasting one.

Zeina Azzam, Georgetown University, Director of Educational Outreach, Center for Contemporary Arab Studies

The special merit of Marstons very beautiful book is that the virtues and human qualities of Abd el-Kader play a central role in her story. In bringing this story to American youth, the author is offering them the chance to discover not only the values of mercy and peace within Islam, but also the life of a person who completely embodied those values. This book is not only a beautiful narrative that is based on solid documentation, but it is above all a useful book for our children who are going to inherit a world which is in urgent need of mercy and peace.

Ahmed Bouyerdene, author of Emir Abd el-Kader: Hero and Saint of Islam

Award-winning author Elsa Marstons books about the Middle East are often categorized as juvenile fiction and non-fiction. However, The Compassionate Warrior, like most of her work, is a piece of solid scholarship, engagingly narrated, that will also have great appeal for adults. The Emir Abd el-Kader is an inspirational figure from Algerian history who deserves to be better known, and this exceptional book is a welcome contribution to that cause.

Laurence Michalak, University of California, Berkeley

Elsa Marstons biography illuminates the extraordinary story of Emir Abd el-Kader. This 19th century hero was tireless in his efforts to protect innocent lives and the honor of Islam. His example is an inspiration for us all.

Jacqueline Jules, librarian and teacher, author of Sarah Laughs and Benjamin and the Silver Goblet

The Compassionate Warrior provides us with a rich opportunity to learn about the life and teachings of a prominent Muslim spiritual teacher who resisted French colonialism. Not being content with returning violence for violence, Emir Abd el-Kader also protected Syrian Christians at a later point in his life.... This volume is highly recommended for all who seek to learn about spiritual ways of responding to the traumas of the contemporary world.

Omid Safi, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, author of Memories of Muhammad: Why the Prophet Matters

In her engaging biography, the author shows well how Emir Abd el-Kader, head of a religious order and a fighter against colonial intrusions, preached tolerance and coexistence among communities, as was evident of his defense of the downtrodden during the exceptional Damascus riots of 1860. It is good of the author to bring to light the tolerance of a brave and compassionate hero who was needed then and is needed now as a model of leadership.

Leila Fawaz, Tufts University, author of An Occasion for War: Mount Lebanon and Damascus in 1860

In Elsa Marstons story of Emir Abd el-Kader we learn about the character of a man who was regularly faced with difficult decisions. In his journey, we see that being a warrior does not always mean going to war, but can also involve simply fighting for what is right. We witness the heroism that lies in human nature, even during the horror of battle, and the compassion that makes heroism possible. There is no avoiding the strong sense of justice that permeates all of his actions, and that that commitment to justice is deeply informed by his faith and spirituality. The remarkable nature of his story only highlights the importance of being true to ones convictions. His story is both awe-inspiring and inspirational.

Hussein Rashid, Hofstra University, associate editor of Religion Dispatches magazine

It is not very often that we readers and teachers come across a book that reveals so much history and biography in such an engaging and compelling way. Although the life of the great Algerian freedom fighter of the nineteenth century is the central focus of the book, the story also features French and North African colonial history, Christian-Muslim relations, and European politics. This book is an excellent vehicle for young people to explore a fast-moving story of heroic resistance to power, of nobility in times of war, of famous people and trying times, while all along learningand probably enjoyinghistory, ethics, cross-cultural relations, and the inner workings of Muslim societies.

Roger Gaetani, editor of Introduction to Sufism: The Inner Path of Islam and A Spirit of Tolerance: The Inspiring Life of Tierno Bokar, former teacher and developer of educational materials

The most redoubtable adversary that France encountered on African soil, the man who for sixteen years of heroic battles fought for his faith and for the independence of his country, Abd el-Kader is, unquestionably, the most important personage that has arisen in the last century among the Muslim populations.

Le Figaro, French national newspaper

There are few names in the list of modern notabilities which are better known than that of the Arab Napoleon, the warrior who, in defense of his native soil, successfully defied, during several campaigns, the whole power of France, and kept her armies in a state of almost unremitting warfare for more than fifteen years.... [The Emir Abd el-Kader] was one of the few great men of the century.

The New York Times

Abd el-Kader disquieted Paris and challenged all the might of France in the reign of Louis Phillipe. The history of the French conquest of Algeria is in substance the record of the conflict which Abd el-Kader waged almost single-handed against the foremost military nation of Europe.

The London Times

Emir Abd el-Kader was one of the most remarkable figures in recent Islamic history, combining perfection in both the active and the contemplative life, an achievement that remains of great significance today for Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

Seyyed Hossein Nasr, The George Washington University, author of The Heart of Islam: Enduring Values for Humanity

... the unsung hero of Algerian nationalism, Emir Abd el-Kader was a compassionate warrior and negotiator with the French, as well as a defender of religious minorities in the Ottoman Empire.