Book-Reviews – Encyclopaedia Islamica, Volume 4 – (Brill 2013)
Especially in the world today the more you know the better understanding you have about everything. This holds true in Volume 4 of Encyclopaedia Islamica. With each volume the contributors are making their way through the alphabet of Islamic history. Now only up to the “Bu” the series is just at the beginning of educating its readers.
Politics, Patronage and the
Transmission of Knowledge
in the 13th-15th Century Tabriz
Edited by Judith Pfeiffer
(Brill 2014)
This book unfolds the role that Tabriz played in the development of society between the 13th and 15th century. Most are unaware of the contributions Tabriz made on early society in learning, cultural productivity and politics in post-Mogol Iran and the Middle East. It is one of a series in Iran Studies and well worth the read.
MUHIT AL-TAVARIKH (The Sea of Chronicles)
Muhammad Amin b. Mirza, Muhammad Zaman Bukhari (Sufiyani), Critical Edition and Introduction by Mehrad Fallahzadeh and Forogh Hashabeiky
(Brill 2014)
This book is a study and critical edition of chapters nine and ten of The Sea of Chronicles. Muhit al-tavarikh is a valuable source for the study of late seventeenth century Central Asian History, historiography and language. The present work represents the first critical edition of a primary source of Subhan Quli Khan’s reign. The ninth chapter (bab) offers accounts of the Timurid kings, Abulkhayrid/Shaybanid and the first four Ashtarkhanid/Janid khans. The tenth chapter presents a detailed account of the life and times of the last great Ashtarkhanid/Janid khan, Subhan QuIi Bahadur (1668-1702), revealing historical information essential for scholars of the period and region.
Alamut, The Assassin’s Nest
M Shokouhi N
(Xlibris LLC 2014)
This bookcombines intrigue, politics and love. The story told is during the 11th century and therefore presents the reader an opportunity to learn about history during the Seljuk Dynasty of the Persian Empire.
It begins with a wedding that is interrupted by events and leaves the reader in suspense trying to figure out what the outcome will be for the bridegroom and the bride. It is a book difficult to figure out but easy to read.
Salmagundi
A Celebration of Salads from around the World
By Sally Butcher
Photography by Yuki Sugiura
Salmagundi is a 17th century English word denoting a salad dish comprising, well … everything. This comprehensive new book from acclaimed food purveyor and cookbook writer Sally Butcher looks at salad bowls across the world and centuries in 150 wide-ranging recipes for every season, meal, and occasion.
The recipes are all accompanied by Sally’s practical approach to cooking, her extensive knowledge of food and food history, and, just as important, her red-headed joie de vivre and sense of humor.
Divided into fourteen chapters (Herbs and Leaves, Vegetables, Beans, Roots, Grains and Pasta, Rice, Cheese, Fish, Meat, Dips, Fruity Salad, Salads for Dessert, The Dressing Room, The Prop Cupboard), no lettuce leaf is left unturned in pursuit of salads of every stripe. Recipes are flagged where relevant with tags such as “super-healthy,” “skinny-minny,” or “main course” to make it more user-friendly.
There are marvelous salads here for everyone – even the most staunch salad misanthrope. Beautifully illustrated by Yuki Sugiura, and punctuated with Sally’s trademark mixture of folklore and anecdote this is an essential update for any foodie’s bookshelf.