Fethullah Gulen: A Life of Hizmet

I preordered this book with some others that had been on my wishlist and they just got delivered yesterday. So excited, I started reading it right away. I haven’t finished it yet, but one thing I can comment on is the transparency of the author. In the preface, Jon Pahl is open and honest about everything from how he was first introduced to hizmet, to the people who he asked for help while writing this book. He writes about how he didn’t always agree with people like Ahmet Kurucan or other people with strong ties to Fethullah Gulen, and how these scholarly debates were necessary to write an honest and objective book. He also writes about how he listened to people who are against hizmet as well. Seeing a true scholarly analysis of all sides of a story is critical to unpolarize such polarizing topics. It helps us all empathize with whoever we view as the enemy and brings us one step closer to meeting each other in the middle. I am very excited to see what journey this book takes me on as I continue reading.Update after coming to the last chapter of the book:This book has had me laughing, crying, and asking myself how can I utilize the limited time I have to acquire the broadest and deepest reach. It has motivated me to better understand “deep peace” and apply it to my life. I highly recommend this book to anybody who wants to learn about Gulen, but especially to anyone who thinks they already know Gulen.

Mr. Pahl has written a biography that is not like many others: as his subject, Mr. Gulen, represents a delicate topic in today's world, this biography is conveyed even more delicately. In his--relatively long--introduction, Mr. Pahl sets his tone for his following pages, indicating that the book is written from a perspective of objectivism as he presents the facts that he gathered through thorough researches, numerous interviews, years of experiences with Hizmet movement, et cetera in a non-persuasive manner, leaving the audience with their own verdict.Furthermore, Mr. Pahl enlightens Mr. Gulen's life very elaborately as he also explores the movement Mr. Gulen has inspired, Hizmet. To this end, "Fethullah Gulen: A Life of Hizmet" is sincerely good.

I got a chance to meet with the author at a book signing. I’m very glad that I heard about this book and had the honor of meeting with the author. This book helped me understand why a Muslim scholar and a group of innocent people, “hizmet” was targeted and blamed for the coup attempt in Turkey. This is not just a biography of a person but a history of a movement that has inspired thousands around the globe. This book is the truth about people around the world who live for a cause! This “hizmet” movement is the modern followers of Rumi!

This book inspired me a lot. Thank you Jon Pahl. This book is amazing. I definitely suggest everyone to read this book. You will find the answer of the question why Fethullah Gulen matters to whole world in this book. I hope this book will reach all over the world and people will inspired from this book to find solutions to kaotic problems.

When I bought the book, I was not sure if it was going to be like another book had been translated from Turkish, but it is not. Pahl seems did an extensive study through interviews, readings, observations, and cross references to cover Mr.Gulen's life and Hizmet Movement in a very objective way to inform people who want to learn the real story of Mr.Gulen, not either the one by his followers nor by his enemies. I think this is a really good source for everyone in the West/USA to learn about Mr.Gulen and Hizmet Movement.

Nice book

Fethullah Gulen and his movement is a very controversial topic everywhere. There are both extreme supporters and extreme haters. Jon Pahl puts forward a neutral opinion on the subject. The book is filled with anecdotes and witnesses to make this biography a valid one. A must read for anyone wondering about the man who shook up the politics in Turkey in the last decade.

Preordered a while back, i just received my copy in the mail recently. Not completely finished reading it.What a great biography by Jon Pahl!Intriguing and inspiring story of a man that has seemingly changed the course of many people’s lives, across the world, for the better.This story should be circulating on the media instead of bigoted, one sided non-sense we are forced to watch everyday on mainstream media.Excellent read.

I loved to read this book. I recommend everyone to enjoy reading about one of the most influential movements in the world.Me encantaba leer este libro. Recomiendo a todos que disfruten leyendo sobre uno de los movimientos más influyentes del mundo.

A biografia do Jon Paul sobre Fethullah Gulen é um trabalho fantástico.Por ser escrito por um autentico americano após anos de pesquisa, faz deste livro ser diferente de todas as outras biografias anteriores. Quem quer saber do Islam interpretado por um erudito muçulmano que lidera um grande movimento transnacional que trabalha pelo diálogo intercultural, interreligioso, educação e paz pelo mundo.

A man devoted his all life for a one purpose. This is to earn God's consent with serving the humans who are in any colors, thoughts or believes. He invites people to come together and to fight not each other but with poverty, racism etc. He's really a great man and a leader of a movement that supports integration between ethnic or religious different groups in these purposes which aims a better world for all. I advice this book to people who wants to look around in alternative angles and who loves human beings as well as all creatures.

Wollen sie einer von einflussreichster Gelehrter leben wissen.Sie würden nie bedauern Fethullah Gülen kennenzulernen.john pahl liegt eine Meisterstück mit ausführlichem Studien dar.

If you wonder the life of Gulen and what he is up for, this is one of the few and best biographies that I could find.