Ibn Battutah – ethnographer, bigrapher, anecdotal historian and occasional botanist – was just twenty-one when he set out in 1325 from his native Tangier on a pilgramage to Mecca . . .
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He did not return to Morocco for another twenty-nine years, travelling instead through more than forty countries on the modern map, covering seventy-five thousand miles and getting as far north as the Volga, as far east as China and as far south as Tanzania. He wrote of his travels, and comes across as a superb ethnographer, biographer, anecdotal historian and occasional botanist and gastronome. With this edition by Mackintosh-Smith, Battuta's Travels takes its place alongside other indestructible masterpieces of the travel-writing genre.
About the Author
Tim Mackintosh-Smith has lived in San'a -- the Yemeni capital -- for the last twenty years. His acclaimed Travels with a Tangerine: A Journey in the Footnotes of Ibn Battutah won him a Thomas Cook/ Daily Telegraph Travel Book Award.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
34 of 35 people found the following review helpful
By H. Megerisi
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Ibn Battuta was a medieval Islamic traveller from modern day Morocco, which at the time was a great centre of culture and learning. He was a Qadi (judge) and minor scholar who travelled, lived and worked in large swathes of the ancient world ranging from China, India, Ceylon, Sub Saharan Africa, and the Middle East! A feat one wonders if ever has been repeated.
The book is an autobiography written in the first person that details and describes his extensive travels in the form of a dictated journal.
The book gives an incite to the Islamic culture, customs and habits, as well as his perceptions and prejudices (from his prospective as a Medieval Muslim). It delves into some of his interactions and private thoughts he had with other cultures, ranging from Christendom, to China, and all the different Muslim regions such as the Mughals, or even the Muslim Sultans of Ceylon.
I found that it opened up my eyes to the world, and to metaphorically see, and walk through other peoples shoes, whom although long gone come to life as the book touches on the political, as well as the social and cultural habits of the time.
Well worth the read, if you have any interest in travel, history or other cultures. An interesting contrast to Marco Polo.
The book is an autobiography written in the first person that details and describes his extensive travels in the form of a dictated journal.
The book gives an incite to the Islamic culture, customs and habits, as well as his perceptions and prejudices (from his prospective as a Medieval Muslim). It delves into some of his interactions and private thoughts he had with other cultures, ranging from Christendom, to China, and all the different Muslim regions such as the Mughals, or even the Muslim Sultans of Ceylon.
I found that it opened up my eyes to the world, and to metaphorically see, and walk through other peoples shoes, whom although long gone come to life as the book touches on the political, as well as the social and cultural habits of the time.
Well worth the read, if you have any interest in travel, history or other cultures. An interesting contrast to Marco Polo.
50 of 52 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
In contrast to the numerous modern travel books which seem to focus on the 'personality' of the writer or trivial observations, this is an epic in every sense of the word. The scale of the journey is immense in distance and time, IB stayed to work as a Qadi (judge)in several places along the way, this means that you really get a deep sense of the politics and the people in each destination. This depth is unlike some of the more superficial accounts of present books which rely on novelty and humour. Although travels is not without humour itself.
I like travelling and read travel books frequently, so it's no surprise that I enjoyed the descriptions of distant lands and strange customs, however, the biggest surprise for me was the journey into the Islamic culture and lifestyle. I think it's the first account I have read from an Islamic perspective, and a Medieval one at that. With this in mind I think this is a perfect book to open the mind about other cultures and other ways of seeing the world. To get the most from this journey it is important to read 'Travels with a Tangerine' and 'Hall of a Thousand Columns' By Mackintosh-Smith.
I hope this reworked classic inspires other translators and archivists to unearth other works from centuries gone. On a final note I am deeply envious of anyone who understands Arabic as they can read the original.
I like travelling and read travel books frequently, so it's no surprise that I enjoyed the descriptions of distant lands and strange customs, however, the biggest surprise for me was the journey into the Islamic culture and lifestyle. I think it's the first account I have read from an Islamic perspective, and a Medieval one at that. With this in mind I think this is a perfect book to open the mind about other cultures and other ways of seeing the world. To get the most from this journey it is important to read 'Travels with a Tangerine' and 'Hall of a Thousand Columns' By Mackintosh-Smith.
I hope this reworked classic inspires other translators and archivists to unearth other works from centuries gone. On a final note I am deeply envious of anyone who understands Arabic as they can read the original.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Amon.E.Mus.
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
The difference in Islam and the Middle East today and during the travellers time are apparent after reading this book, Battutah describes the philanthropy of all Middle Eastern governors and those in elite positions and their care and concern for those less fortunate. You gain a deep insight of a people and their culture, dress, food, and so on. Ibn Battutah also relates several interesting anecdotes of main figures in the book, these parts were the ones I found most interesting and made the book worthwile. As one other critic described, the book is a tad repetitive and does begin to bore you towards the end, nontheless, it is still worth a read, especially if you are a Muslim and would like to understand the differences in the Middle East today and then. Lost in translation? Most definitely not, Tim Mackintosh-Smith makes an exceptional effort in translating Battutah's original work and although I have not read the original Arabic works myself I confidently commend the Authors efforts.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
an open-minder
Really loved reading it. Stories are astonishing and each time he reaches a city you would like to know how he found its people , and their habits and custom at that time. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Sana Essid
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good Book
Very well written with appropriate foot notes where required. Having compared to other similar books in other languages I find that it is quite similar representation of the... Read more
Published 4 months ago by MOR
5.0 out of 5 stars
So enriching!
Ibn Battuta! What a character. His journey's were epic and he managed to capture thier magnificence in his eloquent recollection. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Muryum
4.0 out of 5 stars
Abridged to the point
If you are not a history buff, this abridged version with very useful footnotes will give you sense of life in the early 14th century.
Published 15 months ago by Murat
4.0 out of 5 stars
Travels of Battutah
Although no maps or drawings the reading so far is that which my good lady and I was hoping for. A good read!
Published on 30 Nov 2010 by Mr. D. Cox
3.0 out of 5 stars
Ibn Batutta - a medieval Osama bin Laden
Ibn Batutta's rihla is of course interesting to read, simply because of the historical nature and rarity of the writing. Read more
Published on 24 May 2010 by Jon Gibson Mcgill
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Very Stimulating Storytelling
The story told is based on his own true experience and worth reading. He is so honest when relaying his experiences and really open my eyes to other cultures and life that ever... Read more
Published on 14 Feb 2004
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