The Book of Travels

The Book of Travels is a first-person account of Hannā Diyābs travels as a young man from Aleppo to the court of Versailles and back, which forever linked him to the Thousand and One Nights. Diyab served as a guide and interpreter for the French naturalist and antiquarian Paul Lucas, and between 1706 and 1716, they traveled through Syria, Cyprus, Egypt, Tripolitania, Tunis, Italy, and France. In Paris, Diyab met Antoine Galland, who added to his translation of the Thousand and One Nights several tales related by Diyab, including "Aladdin" and "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves." When Lucas failed to make good on his promise of a position for Diyab at Louis XIV's Royal Library, Diyab returned to Aleppo. In his old age, he wrote this engaging account of his youthful adventures, from capture by pirates in the Mediterranean to quack medicine and near-death experiences.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 468 pages
Publication date: 27 September 2022
Publisher: New York University Press

The captivating tale of Ḥannā Diyābs extraordinary journey unfolds through his remarkable first-person account, The Book of Travels. This captivating narrative takes readers on a thrilling odyssey from his humble hometown of Aleppo to the grand court of Versailles and back again, forever etching his name into the annals of world literature. Diyāb, a Maronite Christian, played a pivotal role as a guide and interpreter for the esteemed French naturalist and antiquarian Paul Lucas during their extensive travels spanning from 1706 to 1716. Their expedition traversed a vast expanse, encompassing Syria, Cyprus, Egypt, Tripolitania, Tunis, Italy, and France. In the vibrant city of Paris, Ḥannā Diyāb encountered the renowned Antoine Galland, who enriched his already widely acclaimed translation of the Thousand and One Nights with several captivating tales, including the iconic "Aladdin" and "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves." However, fate dealt a bittersweet blow when Lucas failed to fulfill his promise of securing a position for Diyāb at Louis XIVs Royal Library. Undeterred, Diyāb returned to his beloved Aleppo, where he spent his later years penning this captivating account of his youthful adventures. From his daring escapades amidst pirate raids in the Mediterranean to his encounters with quack medicine and near-death experiences, Diyābs tale is a testament to the resilience and determination of the human spirit. Now, for the first time, this extraordinary narrative has been translated into English, allowing readers to embark on a journey into the life of the young Syrian who left an indelible mark on the timeless tales of the Thousand and One Nights.

Dimension: 210 x 140 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781479820016