An Imam in Paris lets us share the responses of a highly intelligent scholar ... Daniel L. Newman is to be congratulated on making the first translation into English of this remarkable book; and on supporting the text with a first-class introduction and with footnotes that are as full as one could wish—Times Literary Supplement"A touchstone for thinking about the tangled relations between Islam and modernity ... the most amazing and entertaining curiosity"—Matthew J. Reisz; Jewish QuarterlyIn the 1820s; Rifa'a Rafi' al-Tahtawi; a young Muslim cleric; travelled to Paris as a leading member of the first Egyptian educational mission; where; during a stay of five years; he documented his observations on European culture.His account; Takhlis al-Ibriz fi Talkhis Bariz (The Quintessence of Paris); is one of the earliest and most influential records of the Muslim encounter with Enlightenment-era's European ideas; introducing ideas of modernity to his native land. Al-Tahtawi’s work offers invaluable insight into early conceptions of Europe and the "Other". His observations are as vibrant and palpable today as they were over one hundred and fifty years ago; informative and often acute; to very humorous effect.An irrefutable classic; this new edition of the first English translation is of seminal value. It is introduced and carefully annotated by a scholar fluent in the life; times; and milieu of its narrator.Daniel L. Newman is professor of Arabic and course director of the master's program in Arabic-English Translation and Interpreting at the University of Durham. His other works include Modern Arabic Short Stories: A Bilingual Reader (with Ronak Husni; Saqi Books; 2008).
#939302 in Books imusti 2016-06-20Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 11.40 x .75 x 8.50l; 3.12 #File Name: 0859791882272 pagesCrecy Publishing
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A great book about the aircraft even aviation buffs don't often think aboutBy J. boyleFollowing the author's previous volumes on bombers and fighters; here Norton looks at navy floatplanes; drones; and Army/Navy transports; helicopters and autogiros. In comparison to those books; this is even more important since it covers types that are often overlooked by other authors. A flight test engineer; he looks at the requirements for each class; then examines the aircraft that were proposed or designed for it.As usual; he puts the aircraft into broader context from the military perspective as well as the industry state of the art.He notes that the military never did develop a tactical transport during the war; instead of relying on the ubiquitous C-47/R4D; a military version of the popular DC-3 civil airliner. To put that into modern context; imagine today's military having to use 737s instead of C-130s or C-17s for battlefield use. Long range transports didn't fare any better; the military eventually relied on the C-54; a military version of the DC-4. It's indeed lucky for the allies that those two types were available; both being privately funded ventures from Douglas...another case of letting the free market do its thing without interference from too many govt. specifications (as an example of the latter; look at UK military/civil aircraft since the 50s).The book will introduce readers to some transports that were proposed and flown; even a long time aircraft fan will learn something.That sentiment also applies to the section of helicopters.. In the past there have been books covering one manufacturer; but here you get a n overview of what the entire industry was trying to build at the time. Likewise with autogiros.In these days of privately operated drones and combat UAVs; it's interesting to see how the concept became reality and how today's concepts got there start 70 years ago and using what was then high-tech components but unbelievably crude by today's standards.Finally; naval catapult floatplanes are examined. You'll learn about the scout and observation types that had a brief moment of glory in the war before being replaced by helicopters; shore-based observation and patrol planes and radar.Since this book covers areas usually overlooked by other authors; this is a book that should be on the bookshelf of every WWII aviation historian.5 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Excellent! Covers designs that were produced as well as prototypes that weren't.By Bayard B.Excellent! Covers Navy single - engine float planes; transport planes; photo reconnaissance planes; drones; autogyros; early helicopters; glide bombs and radio controlled bombs and missiles. The author discusses designs that made it into production (either extensive or limited) as well as designs that never got past the prototype stage.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Aileen WilsonI bought this and another book for my husband for Christmas; he loves them.
