I am an Egyptian Muslim. I read the whole Egyptian series. I was impressed but offended at the same time. Most of the bad guys are black or Egyptian muslims and most of the good guys are whites or Christians. What a co incidence. It makes it worse when he insists on sighting the name of Allah before any atrocities commited by them. I am sure it's a mere co incidence.
His idea of Egypt (ministers wearing Jilbab, male secertaies, male-only society and female oppression) reflects the classic western view of the east, blind stereotyping. This Arabian Nights view might be accepted from the lay man but not from a writter in the caliber of Smith. It's claimed that he does a lot of field research before he starts his works. If he had done any about Egypt, he would have known better that there are female ministers in the Egyptian Government and this has been the case for the last few decades, women actually have more rights that some western countries when it comes to civil rights, divorce and children. This poor field study is reflected also by the bad choice (make up) of names which has no relationship to reality. Suggesting a gross naiivity of the Egyptian officials in the 7th scroll is typical of wetern writters towards others and I found it offending too. Still I enjoyed the novels very much but where offended at some parts. email: [email protected]