The Ultimate Ambition In The Arts Of Erudition: A Compendium Of Knowledge From The Classical Islamic World

"When Shihab al-Din al-Nuwayri wrote The Ultimate Ambition in the Arts of Erudition in the 14th century — a work 15 years in the making — it comprised 33 volumes regarding the cosmos, naturalism, human nature and a brief history of the world. Don’t worry, this edition is judiciously cut down to a single volume; however, thanks to lyrical editing and translation from Elias Muhanna, it’s a marvelous glimpse of a moment in time. Romantic advice, red squirrels and the most renowned fruit in Basra: This is a book meant to savor."