The Travels of Ibn Battutah: Edited by Tim Mackintosh-Smith: 84 (Macmillan Collector's Library, 84)

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.

Overall a nice read, esp. for those who are interested in travels and medieval history (particularly Muslim history, or history from Middle-East/Asia). Definitely read the foot-notes; they are an essential part for this book. In fact the foot notes could have been captured in the main write-up, not at the back, to avoid the constant flipping.Key watch outs (these are more comments for the content from Ibn Battuta, not this author):-The text is tedious and descriptive in most places. Don't expect it to read like an adventure story.-The text reveals little about the motives and thought process of Ibn Batutta (which would have been of particular interest to me). For e.g., its mostly unclear how and why Ibn Battuta decides to travel to the next place from where he currently is.

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.

It is an excellent insight into the spirit of the classical Muslim world of the 14th century. It takes one across many nations and is filled with beautiful (and occasionally strange!) stories of the locals. As a spiritual Sufi and a jurist-scholar, Ibn Battuta gained access to elite circles and royal courts wherever he went, as well as mingling with the people - the resulting travelogue is a beautiful read. It gives one a sense of what the Muslim world has lost long since, and how rich that culture once was - and also how varied those cultures were between Eastern nations.

What I love about this book is the feeling of being with this remarkable man as he sets off from home to ride and sail across the globe. Something astonishing to survive when people (Europeans?) still thought the Earth was flat. Every page reveals something remarkable like a visit to The Lighthouse of Alexandria. It’s largely a descriptive narrative but not negated by this style. Its strength; it is a contemporary account of cultures in Africa, The Middle East and Asia that provides necessary counter balance to biased western history.

I was meaning to buy this book for a very long time. As the writer actually travelled to our ancestors region in the remote place in present day Bangladesh. Although that chapter is too small yet it gave me an inside as to how it used to be in the 13th Century.I am going to use this reference in my next article about my country.Good book.Highly recommended. A great traveller. I have known him ( by name ) since I was 10 years old.

Watched a you tube video of this that piqued my interest. I am glad I ordered the book as there is far more in it than on the video. Very enjoyable read.

Slight damage to outer cover which is disappointing but rest of book appears okay, looking forward ro reading it!