Spanning the fifth to sixteenth centuries and societies that range from Afghanistan to Spain, this anthology is a testament to the astonishing grandeur and variety of classical Arabic literature. Here are excerpts from dozens of worksboth renowned (The Quran, ) and esoteric (Ibn Washshiyyas Book of Poisons; a 10th-century poem in praise of asparagus)all accompanied by Robert Irwins erudite commentaries that illuminate readers on the vanished world in which they were written.

In Night & Horses & the Desert we encounter the dashing Byronic poetry of Imru al-Qays and a treatise on bibliomania by Al-Jahiz, possibly the only writer to have been killed by books. Theres a sorcerers manual from 11th century Spain and an allegory by the mysterious Brethren of Purity, in which animals argue their case against humanity. Encompassing piety and profanity, fables and philosophy, this volume is a thrilling and invaluabe introduction to one of the worlds great bodies of literature.