Academic edition of an important military writer from Muslim Spain
L’Ornement des âmes et la devise des habitants d’el Andalus.
2 vols. Large 8vo. 349, (5) pp. Main volume in French, accompanied by a volume containing the lithograph facsimile of an Arabic manuscript: (4), 99, (2 blank), 8 pp. Original printed wrappers.
€ 2.500,00
A French translation and commentary of a work by the medieval Andalusian military writer Ibn Hudayl (b. ca. 1329 CE), complete with an accompanying volume of a lithograph facsimile of the original Arabic. The manuscript is titled in Arabic "Kitab tuhfat al-anfus wa'si'ar sukkan al-Andalus" ("Gift of the spirit or souls of the Andalusians"). Its French translation includes an extensive commentary on Islam, the concept of Holy War as it can be applied to jihad, and the relation of different aspects of Islam to militarism.
The French orientalist Louis Mercier (1879-1945) was the translator and commentator behind this important edition, known for his study of Arab culture and his translations of Arabic literature and histories. In his translation work, Mercier provided French readers with access to a much wider range of essential texts of Muslim literature and thought than had been previously available. With Mercier's visiting card laid in.
A few reader's marks in blue pencil, otherwise in excellent condition with some leaves left uncut.