So this, the 1853 account of Victorian Explorer Sir Richard Burton's trip to Meccah, worthy in that he had to go very undercover, learn the manner and customs of the Al-Islam, and filled with footnotes that expand upon the locals and peoples he visits, the various holy stops, the wells, the mountains, the various tribes they encounter, the history and anecdote of every place and people going all the way back to the Prophet Muhammed, their superstitions, battles, etc, etc.
And of course there's the pilgrimage, and it's curious to me how all these different tribes and nations are making the pilgrimage to the holiest of holies, yet seem overwhelming obliged to tribal differences, banditry, thieving, murder, etc.
It's like they read the book but didn't understand the message.
Or - wait a minute, look about the world at the moment, all the different books and religion, and almost 200 years later we haven't changed a bit, from Israel to almost every damned church in the USA.
Anyways, he's covered Al-Madinah and is close now to Meccah, he's good company. I'm looking forward to volume II.