Arabic Script: Styles, Variants, and Calligraphic Adaptations [Hardcover]

Gabriel Mandel Khan (Author), Gabriel Mandel Khan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2001

One of the world's major forms of writing, Arabic script is the language of the Koran and it became widespread as a result of Islamic conquests of much of the world. The Koran places great importance on writing, and in the first verse of the holy book, reading and writing with the calamus, or reed pen, are praised as the source of all knowledge and all spiritual or scientific paths of change. For this reason the Islamic world is known for its reverence for books, as well as its love of writing. Eventually Arabic script gave rise to calligraphic art, which became an art form of astonishing beauty. More highly regarded than painting, Arabic calligraphy is approached aesthetically like music, with its own rules of composition, rhythm, and harmony. This enlightening book helps us discover an alphabet that throughout the centuries has been linked to the secular and religious worlds of Islam. The text explains the history and meaning of each letter, as well as its philosophical, theological, and cultural significance, and 300 two-color and black-and-white pictures illustrate the letters, their variants, and calligraphic adaptations. An ideal book for linguists, graphic designers, and collectors of Islamic art, Arabic Script will also prove handy for travelers who wish to become familiar with the rudiments of the alphabet.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The author of previous books on Islamic history and a calligrapher and engraver himself, Khan begins this study of Arabic script by sketching the development of the Arabic alphabet and the various scripts in which it has been written. The first half of the book is then devoted to the treatment of individual letters whose shapes vary depending on the letter's position within a word. As many as 33 different styles, or scripts, are illustrated for each letter. The letter's pronunciation is given in cursory fashion, and its vocal value in reciting the Koran is defined in rather technical terms (some of which are explained in the glossary). The latter half provides an amazing assortment of historic examples of Arabic writing. Not included, however, are instructions for writing the actual letters (a better choice for that would be Nicholas Awde and Putros Samano's The Arabic Alphabet: How To Read and Write It, 1987). With its hundreds of illustrations ranging over many centuries, this book is a visual treat even for readers unfamiliar with Arabic. Of particular interest to calligraphers and graphic designers. Margarete Gross, Chicago P.L.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Publisher

This fascinating guide to the Arabic alphabet and writing styles also offers an ample and thorough overview of a culture and a civilization.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 180 pages
• Publisher: Abbeville Press (March 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789207109
• ISBN-13: 978-0789207104
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,191,121 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An insight to Arabic culture through its calligraphy, January 4, 2002

By 

Eds Word (El Paso, Texas United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Arabic Script: Styles, Variants, and Calligraphic Adaptations (Hardcover)

This richly illustrated volume on Arabic calligraphy is truly a feast for the eyes. The book begins with a brief introduction on the evolution of the Arabic script from its pre-Islamic origins to its blossoming into the many calligraphic forms we see today. Examples of the script throughout its development are provided, from early Nabatean scripts to modern attempts at introducing capital letters. Particularly interesting is the letter from the prophet Muhammad to Mundar ibn Saui (the script used by Muhammad is a bit different than contemporary Arabic script). In the next section, each letter is individually given at least a two-page discourse on various calligraphic forms, the symbology associated with the letter, its current use, how the letter relates to the Qur'an, and pronunciation of the letter (e.g. the Arabic letter 'shin' is used as an abbreviation for path and to Sufi mystics 'shin' symbolizes personal destiny). The final section shows examples of texts, manuscripts, and other sources depicting the wide range of calligraphic styles. Examples include excerpts from Qur'ans, from medieval-era scientific treatises, from talismans, and from other sources dating from antiquity to the present. The glossary at the end of the book, though too brief, is quite helpful.

This book is more about the artistry that is inherent in the Arabic script rather than on teaching the reader how to write Arabic letters - and you don't need to know Arabic to fully appreciate the artistry. Khan's work will be a welcome addition to the library of anyone interested in Islamic art, culture, or the Arabic language.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW !! What a great book..., August 10, 2001

By 

Diana Khan "dianaiak" (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Arabic Script: Styles, Variants, and Calligraphic Adaptations (Hardcover)

This book is well thought out. Extremely informative. It has lots and lots of pictures. The best part is for those of us who are trying to teach ourselves Arabic Calligraphy, and are somewhat limited in reading Arabic. The author gives full details on the calligraphy along with dates, english translation, etc. There is no guess work, the author assumes you don't have any Arabic so, if you don't have an arabic teacher, this is the book. Informative, easy to read and full, full of detailed information, the author was very generous with pictures.

I know you will enjoy it.

Definitely a good buy.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing, April 19, 2003

By 

J. E. S. Leake "sailor and scholar" (Offshore, Persian Gulf) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Arabic Script: Styles, Variants, and Calligraphic Adaptations (Hardcover)

I'm afraid I must start by saying I haven't read the English edition, but the Italian original. I approached it with high expectations, which were dashed.

Why did I find it disappointing? Perhaps I was expecting a bit more content; instead the book had the feel of a book thrown together to create a book. This is even more true of his companion volume, 'L'alfabeto ebreico'.

The illustrations seem too small to provide a useful guide to the caligrapher, and tend to concentrate - like to many books on Arabic calligraphy - on the illumination to the detriment of the calligraphy itself. The book also relies too heavily on Arabic typography, which isn't really the same as calligraphy, and which so often breaks the canons of calligraphy, with the result of seeming both ugly and hard to read.

I'd like to have know far more on the tradition of calligraphy and the calligraphers themselves; a more focused investigation of the styles used and how they've developed; a useful bibliography.

All in all, disappointing.