D. S. Richards

The Chronicle of Ibn al-Athir (1160-1233AD), entitled al-Kamil fi'l-Ta'rikh, is one of the outstanding sources for the history of the mediaeval world. It covers the whole sweep of Islamic history almost up to the death of its author; events in Iraq, Iran and further East run in counterpoint with those involving North Africa and Spain. From the time of the arrival of the Crusaders in the Levant, their activities and the Muslim response become the focus of the work. A focus of this third part is the internal rivalries of Saladin's Ayyubid successors, their changing relations with the Crusader states, the Damietta Crusade, and the first incursions of the Mongols.

The Chronicle of Ibn al-Athir for the Crusading Period from al-Kamil fi'l-Ta'rikh. Part 3

Roger Allen

The final volume of The Cambridge History of Arabic Literature explores the Arabic literary heritage of the little-known period from the twelfth to the beginning of the nineteenth century. Even though it was during this time that the famous Thousand and One Nights was composed, very little has been written on the literature of the period generally. In this volume Roger Allen and Donald Richards bring together some of the most distinguished scholars in the field to rectify the situation. The volume is divided into parts with the traditions of poetry and prose covered separately within both their 'elite' and 'popular' contexts. The last two sections are devoted to drama and the indigenous tradition of literary criticism. As the only work of its kind in English covering the post-classical period, this book promises to be a unique resource for students and scholars of Arabic literature for many years to come.

Arabic Literature in the Post-Classical Period

The Peninsular Campaign was conducted over terrain ranging from the sun scorched plains of Andalusia to the picturesque snow covered passes of the Pyrenees. Drawing on the experiences and observations of fifty-six officers and men who fought during the years 1808 to 1814, The Peninsula Years is a thrilling and fast moving narrative of the bloody campaigns in the Iberian Peninsula, as well as showing insight into the everyday hardships common to the ordinary British redcoat. The contrary nature of the infantryman of that time is effectively illustrated in the long and arduous retreat to Corunna with its accompanying scenes of drunken and licentious behavior yet, when the occasion called for it, he was capable of outstanding feats of suicidal bravery as demonstrated at Albuera or in the murderous assault against BadajozWellington may have referred to the men under his command as scum, but without their fortitude, bravery and endurance he knew that Spain would never have been swept clean of France's elite divisions, thus paving the way for Napoleon's eventual downfall and defeat.

D. S. Richards

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