Andalusia''s past and present

Reviewed by: Dr. Muhammad Nasir al-Din This book can be considered a small, precious, and comprehensive encyclopedia of everything related to Andalusia, painstakingly crafted by the distinguished scholar Muhammad Kurd Ali to be a haven for every visitor or resident of one of the most beautiful, most civilized, and most tranquil countries. The book contains Muhammad Kurd Ali''s observations that he recorded during his visit to Spain. His observations were characterized by a discerning eye and a wise and concise grasp of the most important landmarks of Madrid, Cordoba, Seville, Granada, the Alhambra, and others. Almost every chapter, indeed every paragraph of the book, contains a useful piece of information, a stray story, or a unique piece of poetry, collected, researched, and crafted by Kurd Ali with clear language and beautiful style. The book also includes special attention to the history of the Iberian Peninsula and its conditions before and after the Muslim conquest.