Mohammed pravakta jeevitam, (Muhammad, a biography of the Prophet), Karen Armstrong, translator P. Sathyavathi, 203 pp, Rs. 150 \nRespectful without being reverential, knowledgeable without being pedantic, and, above all, readable. The book succeeds because Armstrong brings Muhammad to life as a fully rounded human being. \nKaren Armstrong is a British author and commentator of Irish Catholic descent known for her books on comparative religion. A former Roman Catholic religious sister, she is a bestselling author, scholar, and journalist and among the world's foremost commentators on religious history and culture. Post-9/11, she has become a crucial advocate for mutual understanding between the world's major faiths. Her books include Buddha: A Biography, The Battle for God, and Islam: A Short History. \nTranslator P. Sathyavathi taught English and is a popular Telugu short-story writer. She was awarded the Central Sahitya Akademy award for her writings.