Wine of Wisdom: The Life, Poetry and Philosophy of Omar Khayyam

by Mehdi Aminrazavi, Mehdi Amin Razavi

Overview

Representative of the exotic and erotic east, enemy of Christianity, prophet of hedonism, champion of free thinkers, Omar Khayyam and his Ruba’iyyat have been the stuff of legend for centuries. Nourished by an admiration of Khayyam that has been with him since childhood, Aminrazavi’s comprehensive new biography reintroduces the figure of Khayyam, and his great achievements, to the Western world. Blending a readable and accessible narrative with scholarly ambition and years of research, Aminrazavi’s work covers not only Khayyam’s well-known poetry, but also his extraordinary life, his neglected philosophical writings and the impact of his work in the West. It features a variety of supporting material, including original translations and the full text of Fitzgerald’s Rubaiyyat, and will prove an ideal introduction not only for those who want to know more about the poets inspired by Rumi, but also for students on a variety of humanities and Middle-East related courses.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781851683550
Publisher:	Oneworld Publications
Publication date:	06/15/2005
Pages:	368
Product dimensions:	5.63(w) x 8.75(h) x (d)

Editorial Reviews

Known primarily in the West for his poem, The Rubaiyyat, Omar Khayyam was far more than an aesthete. A mathematician and philosopher as well as something of a heretic in 11th-century Persia, he challenged religious doctrines that readers in both cultures found highly secularist and deeply antireligious, making him something of a darling to rationalists like Voltaire. As Aminrazavi (philosophy & religion, Mary Washington Coll., Fredericksburg, VA) points out, Khayyam ultimately serves as a mirror for Western Victorian consciousness-those who like what they see praise him, those who don't view him as emblematic of the moral degeneration of civilized culture. Aminrazavi then offers a comprehensive view of Khayyam for English-speaking audiences, introducing not only Edward Fitzgerald's magisterial translation of The Rubaiyyat but also historical context on the poet-scientist, including a rerereading of his Sufism, philosophical thought, scientific contributions, and ever-changing reception in the West. The appendixes provide translations of Khayyam's philosophical treatises and other Arabic poems, which alone makes this a valuable work. Engaging and readable, this is recommended for Islamic, medieval history, and philosophy collections.-Sandra Collins, Univ. of Pittsburgh Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

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