Tales from the Arabian Nights

The covers that are shown are for Husain Haddawy's translation of Mushsin Mahdi's text, an excellent version/translation, NOT Lane & others--an old, orientalist edition! Error should be corrected!

It's a safe guess that most people are familiar with The Arabian Nights or at least some of the stories from The Arabian Nights. However there are so many more stories than the few presented in fairy tale books or in the recent tv mini-series. I decided I wanted to read all of the stories.I did some research into different translations and versions. I chose this one because it was a new translation and the translator was of Middle-Eastern origins. Haddaway explains in the introduction how his style of writing, the sentences structure, and word choice reflect the cadence and style of the stories he heard told as a boy growing up.The language is beautiful, well written, and very funny. There is the occasional problem with vague pronoun use, but English pronouns can be very tricky for non-native speakers (and for native speakers as well). These problems are few and far between and don't detract from the stories. I highly recommend this edition of The Arabian Nights.

This book is translated by a person named N.J. Darwood. It's simply wonderful. The tales involved are tales of the Persian Gulf, of Bagdhad, Arabia, and tales that we as adults should revisit for some enjoyable light reading that will make us smile and wonder at the old folklore of the Arabian Peninsula. Sinbad the Sailor is in there, as is Aladdin in it's original form, and the story begins of a king who is so upset by his wife's unfaithfulness that he will now only accept virgins for one night and then have them killed. A smart virgin begins her night with the infamous king by telling him stories, and she so fascinates him and enthralls him with her tales that the tales turn into folklore for readers of the ages. I won't tell you what happens in the end to the virgin princess, but you will find humor, enchantment, wisdom and fantasy for those times when stress becomes a factor in your life. I highly recommend the tale of "The Historic Fart" as a both funny and inspiring tale of human nature. Please buy this book and remember to become a nine -12 year old again as you read with curiosity and wonder at the fabulous enchanting, lively stories. I was beginning to wish my children were a bit younger so I could read these to them. Any child would enjoy these stories, and any adult will find them simply relaxing and a reflection of medieval Islam.

As this book will reveal to many children, Disney didn't invent Aladdin - he is one of the characters found in the 1000-year-old tales of Arabian Nights. Read about an Aladdin that is closer to the original, and also about Alibaba and the Forty Thieves, and The Enchanted Garden, two other stories from The Arabian Nights. There is some violence here - but, hey, it's classic literature and it keeps the kids' attention. There are two interesting heroic women in the stories. This gorgeously illustrated book is printed on good-quality glossy paper, a rare find at this price. The main text is complemented with historic notes and photographs adding background to the story, and there is a glossary at the end. Overall, it's a first-class book that adults will enjoy along with kids.

This is the story of Shahrazad, the wife of a king,who tells tales well enough to save her life. Her husband, King Shahryar, has been following the edict that he must kill his wives after their first nighttogether. For a thousand and one nights Shahrazad tells tales that capures the king's attention causing him to let her live in order to hear the end of each tale and finally to fall in love with her. The tales themselves are prose in action. The lessons are plentiful and still relevant today. This is a book that will enrich a reader's life, one that a family could read aloud to each otherand have fun. A great classic not to be missed.