Customer Reviews

Arabic Script: Styles, Variants, and Calligraphic Adaptations

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Gabriel Mandel Khan's Arabic Script considers the styles, variants and adaptations of arabic script, covering both the history and meaning of each letter. A highly recommended pick for a specialized audience of college-level students in either language or art.

This is a really beautiful and informative book, a true collectable. Wish I had a first edition. If you love Annemarie Schimmel's books, you MUST buy this. It would be a great present for anyone interested in Arabic, and I haven't seen it in any of the Arabic bookstores.

The book is beautiful to the eye. It has many pages of Arabic Script Art to review and has an interesting introduction that in my opinion was worth reading. The quality of the material used to make the paperback book I purchased was superior. This is a plus as I will use it for reference the many Arabic Scripts.

The buyer should beware that this book will not teach a novice to the Arabic language, the Arabic script in its many variations. The book also transliterates many of the Arabic Scripts when referencing the art (or non-standard Arabic script). In my opinion it would have been helpful to have the Arabic Script in one of the many modern standard type faces for more advance Arabic students.

You may also want to know that it has comments on each letter. Whether the comment is linguistic, historic, religious, or superstitious I felt it lacked the depth as to why the reader should even consider the comment. Finally, I would like to point out that in many instances when I saw beautiful calligraphic art it lacked explanation. In other words, if you are like me and are not an advance Arabic Script graphic designer you may not appreciate some of the art works because you may not have the ability to decipher the script.

I agree with the books statement on the rear cover when it says a book for linguist, graphic designers, and collectors of Islamic art. However, I disagree with the statement that it is for those who wish to become familiar with the rudiments of the alphabet. This book is not for the beginner unless he / she only wishes to look at the beauty of the letters, words, and art.

Damond

Arabic script is one of the world's major forms of writing. It has importance not only as a widespread secular language, but also because it is the language of the Quran. In the very first verse of the Quran, reading and writing are praised as the source of all knowledge and all spiritual or scientific paths of change. From this text has developed a reverence for books and a love of writing. Eventually Arabic script gave rise to calligraphic art of astonishing beauty - approached like music with its own rules of composition, rhythm, and harmony so as to elicit a joyous presence from the viewer. In this intriguing book the history and meaning of each letter is given as well as its cultural, religious and philosophical significance. Profusely illustrated - 300 black-&- white line drawings.
Teachers/Librarians: Don't balk at the price - 7th graders will love this book and find many creative ways to use it! Very suitable for 6th-12th grades - social studies/humanities.

This small work is an excellent introduction to Arabic calligraphy, especially for beginners. It contains numerous, but not comprehensive, illustrations of many styles and periods. Highly recommended for general information or for someone considering 'taking up' Arabic calligraphy.