Customer Reviews

Eastern Wisedome and Learning: The Study of Arabic in Seventeenth-Century England

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Toomer has written a fascinating account of the start of Arabic studies in England, including a good overview of the state of Arabic studies throughout Europe until the end of the seventeenth century. English studies are traced through from their individualist start, through a mainstream, largely driven by bishops Ussher (he who computed the 4004 BC creation date, one of the most brilliant scholars of his day) and Laud (Chancellor of Oxford University), through Pococke's career to Arabic studies' decline as the eighteenth century approached.

Sadly the book has no illustrations: samples of the early Arabic founts discussed in the book and portraits of any of the men discussed would have added something (and at the exorbitant price ought to have been included). But do get your library to buy a copy!