Culture and Civilization in the Middle East

"The publication of a translated edition of Ibn al-Qutiyya's early history on Islamic Spain provides scholars of al-Andalus with a valuable resource... The introduction provides a history of the manuscript, from its earliest sources to modern editions of the text the tradition. James also sheds light on the tradition and culture of historical writing in the early Islamic tradition, as well as providing the reader with indispensable information about the life and times of Ibn al-Qutiyya... The translation is smooth and the transliteration of Arabic names and terms is thorough. Additionally, James includes in his volume six appendices, a well-constructed bibliography, and an index, making this book readily accessible to a wide readership." - William Granara, Department of Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations, Harvard University; American Academy of Research Historians of Medieval Spain Newsletter, Spring 2010

"What makes the text unusal, and the publication of David James' translation and commentary very welcome, is the level of attention its author pays to the roles of Christians, and converts to Islam of Christian origin, in Andalusi public life... Rather than relying solely on the existing editions - all of which contain, as James notes, mistakes and omissions- James returned to the manuscript for his translation. His labour has paid off, and we are thus in the curious position of having a translation that is a fuller and more accurate reflection of the manuscript than any previous edition." - Nicola Clarke, The Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African studies, Volume 73/3 - 2010