A Literary History of the Arabs

A compilation of the history of Islamic authors and writings, A Literary History of the Arabs is considered one of the best explanations of Arabic culture and literature today. R.A. Nicholson explains in the book's preface that Islamic literature contains within it references to figureheads and cultural understandings that would stump all English readers unaware of Arabic history and beliefs. Nicholson outlines within all the necessary information to begin understanding English translations of Arabic works. Written for students, the political, intellectual, and religious notions presented are useful for any modern study of Arabic literature. REYNOLD ALLEYNE NICHOLSON (1868-1945) was an English scholar of Islamic literature and mysticism. Born in Yorkshire, England, Nicholson attended Aberdeen University and the University of Cambridge for Arabic studies. He taught Persian language and Arabic culture at Cambridge and was considered a leading scholar in Islamic studies. Not only did Nicholson translate major texts from various Arabic languages, he also wrote two widely-regarded books on Islam: A Literary History of The Arabs and The Mystics of Islam. In addition, Nicholson produced the first English translation and commentary of Rumi's Masnavi, an impressive and respected fete.

For sixty years, the best account in English of this vast output has been, by universal consent, this book; its supremacy will long remain unchallenged. That it is a book full of erudition and high critical judgement goes without saying; its author is also a poet-translator of rare excellence.