TY - BOOK AU - Nicholson,Reynold Alleyne TI - A Literary History of the Arabs AV - PJ PY - 2011/// CY - Salt Lake City, UT PB - Project Gutenberg KW - Arabic literature -- History and criticism N1 - Release date is 2011-11-11; Preface -- Introduction -- Saba and Ḥimyar -- The history and legends of the pagan Arabs -- Pre-islamic poetry, manners, and religion -- The Prophet and the Koran -- The orthodox caliphate and the Umayyad Dynasty -- The caliphs of Baghdád -- Poetry, literature, and science in the ‘Abbásid period -- Orthodoxy, free-thought, and mysticism -- The Arabs in Europe -- From the Mongol invasion to the present day; Produced by Fritz Ohrenschall, Turgut Dincer, Sania Ali Mirza and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net; Original publication data not identified N2 - "A Literary History of the Arabs" by Reynold Alleyne Nicholson is a historical account written in the early 20th century. The book offers a comprehensive introduction to Arabic literature and thought from ancient times through the Islamic period, addressing the political, intellectual, and religious contexts that shaped the literary heritage of the Arabic-speaking world. It is particularly focused on the evolution and significance of Arabic poetry and prose, reflecting on the major influences and themes arising throughout the history of the Arabs. The opening of the work establishes its objective of providing a foundational understanding of Arabian literary history. Nicholson begins by acknowledging the difficulties young students of Arabic face due to a lack of contextual knowledge about the cultural and historical references encountered in Arabic texts. He explains the significance of Arabian genealogy and the distinction between different Arab populations. The opening sections outline the origins of the Arabs, addressing both legends and historical accounts, particularly focusing on the Sabæans and [H.]imyarites. Through illustrative anecdotes and references to ancient inscriptions and poetry, Nicholson sets the stage for a deeper exploration of the rich tapestry of Arabic literature and its historical landscape, emphasizing how these narratives have shaped—and continue to influence—Arab identity and culture. (This is an automatically generated summary.) UR - https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/37985 ER -