Ibn Abi Tahir Tayfur and Arabic Writerly Culture: A Ninth Century Bookman in Baghdad (Routledgecurzon Studies in Arabic and Middle Eastern Literatures)

Toorawa re-evaluates the literary history and landscape of third to ninth century Baghdad by demonstrating and emphasizing the significance of the important transition from a predominantly oral-aural culture to an increasingly literate one. This transformation had a profound influence on the production of learned and literary culture; modes of transmission of learning; nature and types of literary production; nature of scholarly and professional occupations and alliances; and ranges of meanings of certain key concepts, such as plagiarism. In order to better understand these, attention is focused on a central but understudied figure, Ibn Abi Tahir Tayfur (d. 280 to 893), a writer, schoolmaster, scholar and copyist, member of important literary circles, and a significant anthologist and chronicler. This book will appeal to anyone interested in Arabic literary culture and history, and those with an interest in books, writing, authorship and patronage. -- Amazon.com Book Cover......Page 1 Half-Title......Page 2 Series Title......Page 3 Title......Page 4 Copyright......Page 5 Dedication......Page 6 Contents......Page 8 Preface......Page 9 Acknowledgements......Page 10 Note on translitertion and dating......Page 12 Glossary......Page 13 Abbreviations......Page 14 introduction......Page 16 1 From memory to written record......Page 22 2 The presence and insistence of books......Page 33 3 Reciting poetry, telling tales......Page 50 4 Being a bookman......Page 66 5 Navigating partisan shoals......Page 86 6 Precedence and contest......Page 102 7 The "BAD BOYS" of Baghdad......Page 117 Envoi......Page 138 Notes......Page 145 Bibliography......Page 195 Index......Page 223 This book re-evaluates the literary history and landscape of the third/ninth century by demonstrating and emphasising the significance of the important transition from a predominantly oral-aural culture to an increasingly literate one Shawkat M. Toorawa. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 130-207) And Index.