Throughout history, people have loved great men, they have looked at great men with awe and admiration. These great heroes were loved and respected for the quality they possessed and the actions which changed the course of history. And indeed this biography is about one of those rare great men in history who, as an individual, made a great impact on the events that took place during his life time. The earth will never see again a leader like him whose reign was known for justice and peace. His name is Umar ibn Al-Khattab(R.A), the second of the rightly guided Khaleefahs and the third most important personality of Islam after Prophet(SAW) and Abu Bakkr(R.A) and who first bear the title "Ameer Al Mo'mineen" means The Leader of the Believers.
This is the biography of Umar(R.A) and is written by Dr. Ali Muhammad Muhammad As-Sallaabee by compiling various scattered resources from many history books and also from different historical resources by organizing, authenticating and analyzing properly. This book is primarily divided into two volumes. The first one discussed mainly Umar's(R.A) personal life and the latter one his professional life.
In volume one, the author comprehensively gave an account of Umar's(R.A) life during the pre-islamic days of ignorance, his lineage, his family, his acceptance of Islam from being a stern enemy at first and later one of the most powerful leader of Islam, his migration to Madeenah, the effect the Noble Qur'an had on his character, the time he spent in the company of the Prophet(SAW), and the greatness of his truly Islamic character.
And in the second volume, the author beautifully highlighted Umar's (R.A) multi-faced talents, for he was very well-rounded, being an exceptional leader, a skilled military commander, a brave soldier, a prolific worshiper, a learned scholar, a fair and wise judge. His governance system, functioning of judicial system under his leadership, his dealings with conquered lands and it's people, and also about establishing a stable and strong country. And finally it discussed the events that led to Umar's(R.A) martyrdom and the last hour of his life.
This is a great and long read..... and I think I can't really add much to this great character and even if I wish I will probably be out of words to praise his glorify. I would recommend this to all future leaders who are aspiring to be a quality leader.