An Anthology of Arabic Literature

An anthology of Arabic literature, ancient and modern, in both prose and verse
Introducing readers to the extremely rich tradition of Arabic literature, this Anthology covers some of its major themes and concerns across the centuries, from its early beginnings to modern times. The texts chosen are a 'library of personal preferences' of a scholar who has spent half a century or more in the company of Arabic books, marking then translating those passages that seemed to him to capture some of its most memorable moments.
Reflecting the great diversity and unpredictability of Arabic literature as the carrier of a major world culture, both pre-modern and modern, the Anthology is divided thematically to highlight modern issues such as love, religion, the human self, human rights, freedom of expression, the environment, violence, secular thought and feminism. The short, easy-to-read texts are accessible to non-specialists, providing an ideal entry point to this extraordinary literature.
Key Features
- A wide thematic and chronological spread including both verse and prose
- Newly translated texts on a range of subjects such as the occult sciences, heresy, psychological reflections, literary theory, sexual etiquette, man and nature, geographical observations and reflections on world history
- Includes extracts from philosophers, theologians and scientists
- Marginal glosses explain key terms, figures and moments
Read the introduction and first few extracts for free (pdf)

Tarif Khalidi has been the Shaykh Zayid Chair in Arabic and Islamic Studies at the American University of Beirut since 2002. He was the Sir Thomas Adams's Professor of Arabic at Cambridge between 1996-2002 and is the author of Arabic Historical Thought in the Classical Period (1994), The Muslim Jesus (2001), The Qur'an: A new translation (2008) and Images of Muhammad: Narratives of the Prophet in Islam Across the Centuries (2009).