Research Catalog

Title

The book of contemplation : Islam and the Crusades / Usama ibn Munqidh ; translated with an introduction and notes by Paul M. Cobb.

Author

Usāmah ibn Munqidh, 1095-1188

Publication

London ; New York : Penguin, 2008.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Additional Authors

Cobb, Paul M., 1967-

Description

xlviii, 339 p. : maps; 20 cm.

Summary

"This book contains the autobiographical works of Usama ibn Munqidh, a twelfth-century Arab aristocrat. Full of detail, wit and melancholy, Usama's narrative anecdotes illustrate the inscrutability of God's will in life, as well as providing a memorable record of Islam's long encounter with the Crusaders, known to Usama only as the Franks. This edition focuses on The Book of Contemplation, but also uses extracts from The Book of the Staff and Kernels of Refinement to produce a complete and human portrayal of Islamic perspectives on day-to-day existence, warfare, and the curious European invaders. Paul M. Cobb's translation is accompanied by an introduction that places Usama's writings in their historical and literary context, explains the poetry of his language and examines the divisions between Islamic sects at the time. This edition also contains maps, a chronology of the author's life, a family tree, suggested further reading and a glossary"--P. [4] of cover.

Series Statement

Penguin classics

Uniform Title

• Iʻtibār. English
• Penguin classics

Alternative Title

• Iʻtibār.
• Kitāb al-iʻtibār.

Subject

• Usāmah ibn Munqidh, 1095-1188
• 750-1260
• Geschichte 1130-1180
• Crusades > Early works to 1800
• Crusades > Personal narratives > Early works to 1800
• Syria > History > 750-1260 > Early works to 1800

Genre/Form

• History
• Early works
• Personal narratives
• Récits personnels.

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references and index.

Language (note)

• Translated from the Arabic.

Processing Action (note)

• committed to retain

Contents

"This book contains the autobiographical works of Usama ibn Muqidh, a twelfth-century Arab aristocrat. Full of detail, wit and melancholy, Usama's narrative anecdotes illustrate the inscrutability of God's will in life, as well as providing a memorable record of Islam's long encounter with the Crusaders, known to Usama only as the Franks. This edition focuses on The Book of Contemplation, but also uses extracts from 'The Book of the Staff ' and 'Kernels of Refinement' to produce a complete and human portrayal of Islamic perspectives on day-to-day existence, warfare, and the curious European invaders". -- BOOK JACKET.

ISBN

• 9780140455137 (pbk.)
• 0140455132 (pbk.)

OCLC

• 226280162
• SCSB-10834356

Owning Institutions

Harvard Library