Customer Reviews

Omar Khayyam: A life

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Professor Lamb gave an excellent historical overview about the life of a great poet/philosopher and also a brillant scientist, in my opinion, way ahead of his time, Omar Khayyam. If one is interested in the history and accomplishments of the former Persian Empire, this should be mandatory reading.

This is a great book to read and certainly gives the reader an insight into the islamic world of that era. Omar el Khayyam, was one of the most renowned philosophers, mathematicians, poets of the 11th century Persia. He is a great credit to islam and his tolerance, seeking of knowledge and scientific mind would have been much appreciated today, in our world of religious fanaticism.
If you enjoyed this book, you will love "Samarkand", by Amin Maalouf, one of the best contemporary Lebanese writers, A joy to read.

Harold Lamb's OMAR KHAYYAM was originally published in 1934, but this fascinating biography of the author of the RUBAIYAT and a text on algebra is as vital today as when it was written.
Contain in the story of Khayyam is the history of the Assassins and their development during the 12th century, which we are still fighting today. An important read for anyone who wants to understand the history behind our involvement in the middle east and modern day terrorists.
Nash Black, author of Indie finalists WRITING AS A SMALL BUSINESS and HAINTS.

All we remember about Omar Khayyam are his Persian
quatrane poetry which Lamb says he wrote as idle whim.
The books of Omar Khayyam were burned for saying that
the Earth wasn't the center of the universe.
He had already calculated a new more modern calendar.
I think that this failure of Islam in it's confrontation
with science and the progress of knowledge
shows a cultural pattern that hasn't been broken
since. That an astronomer and scientist who was respected by his King
was also a poet shows that he was a very great man.