Book Description

Archibald Forder was an American missionary, born in 1863, who worked for 13 years in the Middle East, primarily in Al-Karak in Palestine, at that time part of the Ottoman Empire. 'Ventures among the Arabs is Forder's account of his work and travels in the region. Chapter 12 contains a summary overview of Arabia, with brief treatments of the geography, principal cities, government structures, economy, population and language, religion, animals, and modes of transportation. Several chapters recount Forder's largely unsuccessful attempts to enter Arabia for missionary work. Their titles convey the tone of the narrative, for example, "Attempts to enter Arabia end in Capture, Prison, and Broken Bones" and "At the Mercy of Murderers, Brigands, and Raging Seas." In Chapter 23, "Customs Substantiating Scripture," Forder describes the many similarities between contemporary Arab customs and practices mentioned in the Bible. In Chapter 24, "Arabia in its Relation to the Bible," he discusses ancient Arabia as portrayed in the Bible.