April Series of the Month: An Arabic-English Lexicon

Cosimo is highlighting the Middle East with our April Series of the Month, An Arabic-English Lexicon by Edward W. Lane.

Compiled over many years in the 1800s by Edward William Lane, The Arabic-English Lexicon is one of the most concise and comprehensive Arabic-English dictionaries to date. It is based on several medieval Arabic dictionaries, mainly the Taj al-'Arus, or "Crown of the Bride" by al-Zabidi, also written in the 19th century. The eight-volume Lexicon consists only of Book I, the dictionary; Book II was to contain rare words and explanations, but Lane died before its completion. 

After his death, Dr. G.P. Badger described Lane's lexicon: "This marvelous work in its fullness and richness, its deep research, correctness and simplicity of arrangement far transcends the Lexicon of any language ever presented to the world."

About Edward William Lane (1801-1876) E.W. Lane was a British translator, lexicographer, and Orientalist. Instead of studying at college as a young man, Lane moved to London with his brother to study engraving, at which time he also began to study Arabic. When his health began failing, he moved to Egypt for a change of atmosphere and to continue his studies. While in Egypt, Lane began to study ancient Egypt, but soon became more entranced by modern customs and society. Lane also translated One Thousand and One Nights, though his greatest work remains The Arabic-English Lexicon. Stanley Lane Poole, Edward's great-nephew, authored dozens of books, including the last three volumes of the Arabic-English Lexicon started by his uncle, E.W. Lane.

Cosimo offers Lane's eight volume series by individual volume at leading online bookstores or as a full set in hardcover or paperback, especially of interest to Arabists, collectors, who like to expand their personal library or professional librarians. If you are interested in purchasing the full set, please contact us.


The hardcover retail list price for the eight volume series is $399.92, but now:our price: $319.99  (you save $80 or a 20 percent discount)

The paperback retail list price for this series: $142.92, but now: our price: $114.99 (you save $28 or a 20 percent discount)

April Classic of the Month: The Story of the Moors in Spain

Cosimo's Classic of the Month for April, The Story of the Moors in Spain by Stanley Lane-Poole and Arthur Gilman depicts the history of the Moorish Empire in Andalusia, chronicling the rise and fall of the Islamic empire, and with it the stymie of a "civilized and enlightened State." Stanley Lane-Poole catalogues the art, architecture, religion, science, and industry that flourished with the establishment of the Islamic regime in Spain. This 1866 classic text, complete with original illustrations, is still relevant today as it increases our understanding for Spain's history as well as the role Islam played in that part of Europe.


Some recent praise from Amazon reviewers for The Story of the Moors in Spain:

"A debt of gratitude is certainly in order to the eminent historian Stanley Lane Poole for his voluminous literary contribution to Moorish/Islamic culture and history. Lane Poole was a pioneer whose works in his field not only carried the standard of the era, but were nonpariel in his day."

"This book is over a hundred years old and relevant probably more so now than in all the time since it was written."

About Stanley Lane-Poole:
Born in 1854 in London, England, Stanley Lane-Poole was a British historian, orientalist, and archaeologist. Lane-Poole worked in the British Museum from 1874 to 1892, thereafter researching Egyptian archaeology in Egypt. From 1897 to 1904 he was a professor of Arabic studies at Dublin University. Before his death in 1931, Lane-Poole authored dozens of books, including the first book of the Arabic-English Lexicon started by his uncle, E.W. Lane. 

Cosimo is proud to present this title in both paperback and hardcover with many online bookstores around the world.