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A Personal Narrative of a Pilgrimage to Al-Medinah and Meccah, written in 1855, is British author and explorer Richard Burton's account of his own attempt at a Hajj, or Muslim journey to Mecca. Though not Muslim himself, Burton's years spent in British India as a soldier in the army familiarized him with Muslim customs and behavior. He came up with the idea of making a Hajj while traveling disguised among Sindhi Muslims, and prepared and studied extensively for the trip, even getting circumcised to further prevent discovery. While Burton was not the first non-Muslim to make the journey to Mecca, his account is the most well-known of the time, and it is the work which made him famous. Presented here as two volumes in one, this harrowing true tale will delight fans of Burton and his work.British author, soldier, and adventurer CAPTAIN SIR RICHARD FRANCIS BURTON (1821-1890)was notoriously remembered for his scandalously unexpurgated translations of The Arabian Nights and the Kama Sutra, which scandalized and titillated Victorian readers. Other works of his include the translation of classic Hindu stories of magic and romance, Vikram and the Vampire or Tales of Hindu Devilry, journals of his globetrotting exploits through Africa and the Middle East, such as The Lake Regions of Central Africa, and his history on the sword, The Book of the Sword, written out of his love for fencing and weaponry.

A Grammar of the Arabic Language is a detailed Arabic grammar tutorial, originally written in German by Carl Caspari and translated by British Orientalist William Wright. Often referred to today as Wright's Grammar, the second edition was altered and added to by Wright, and this third (and original final) edition was edited by famous Orientalists M.J. de Goeje and W. Robertson Smith. Wright consulted numerous Arabic sources when making additions and corrections to the work, and as such it is still useful today to students of the Arabic language.WILLIAM WRIGHT (1830-1889) was a British Orientalist and professor of Arabic at Cambridge University. His works are still researched and studied today by students of Arabic and Syriac. His most popular works remain A Grammar of the Arabic Language and the Short History of Syriac Literature. His writings are held today by the British Library and Cambridge University.

Baghdad During the Abbasid Caliphate was first published in 1900 and is, according to the author, the first attempt at a complete history and topographic outline of the city of Baghdad during the reign of the Abbasids, who ruled from 750 to 1258 A.D. In addition to including a chronological timetable, this work contains the history of the foundation of Baghdad, the building of the canals, gates, roads, trenches, quarters, and palaces (all in great detail), and descriptions of the early, middle, and late periods of the Abbasid Caliphate. This work is ideal for scholars of ancient world and Middle East history, especially those interested in early studies of Islam.GUY LE STRANGE (1854-1933) was born in Hunstanton, Norfolk, England, as the youngest son of Henry L'Estrange Styleman. He studied Arabic and Persian at the College de France in Paris, after which he spent many years traveling and living abroad in Persia, Florence, and Palestine. He settled in Cambridge in 1907, where he contributed to The Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland, of which he was a member until his death. Le Strange was the editor and translator of several well-known books on the Middle East and Islam, establishing him as one of the most recognized historical geographers of medieval Islam to write in English.

A mere three chapters, Islâm is an introduction to the Islamic faith and human spirituality. This short but informative primer contains words of wisdom about the human condition and spiritual liberty; the meaning, laws, customs, practices, and rules of Islam; a biography of Muhammad and the history of Islamic rule; and the sects and churches of Islam. Perfect for anyone who needs a quick introduction to the Muslim faith, Islâm is an easy-to-read guidebook for newcomers and casual scholars.SYED AMEER ALI (1849-1928) was an Indian Muslim who wrote several books about Islamic history and practice, as well as Islamic law. A respected jurist himself, and a descendant of Mohammad, Ali's words were extremely influential. He achieved honors in school, began a legal practice in Calcutta, and was one of the most accomplished Muslims of his time before he moved to London at age 20. When he returned to Calcutta in 1873, he continued his law practice, became a law professor at Calcutta University, and founded the Central National Mohammedan Association in 1877, a political organization central to promoting modern Muslim thought. Ali moved back to London in 1904, establishing the London Muslim League in 1908 and the first London mosque in 1910. Ali continued to write and make breakthroughs for Muslims until his death in 1928.

Early Travels in Palestine, first published in 1848, is a compilation of the writings and narratives of nine travelers of Palestine from various eras, ranging from the 8th Century to the late 17th century. Though the explorers are of different nationalities and religions, each experienced Palestine during a period of turmoil and recorded first-hand accounts of the events, people, topography, and culture. This book is ideal for students of Muslim, Jewish, or Biblical history, or for those interested in the many changes Palestine has experienced throughout the centuries.THOMAS WRIGHT (1810-1877) was an English writer, editor, and antiquarian born in Shropshire, near Ludlow, England. He graduated in 1834 from Trinity College at Cambridge University before moving to London to start his literary career. He contributed to many periodicals over his lifetime and helped to found several societies, including the British Archaeological Association and the Shakespeare Society. He was a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and a corresponding member of the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles Lettres of Paris, among others. He remains most well-known for his editorial work on ancient Middle Eastern tomes.

The Columbian Orator, an instruction book on public speaking and a collection of political dialogues, essays, and speeches, was first published in 1797. It was used as a textbook in many classrooms in the United States and became the influence for abolitionist Frederick Douglass. Its popularity continued into the 20th century for its demonstration of the power of speech and its importance to the human rights movement.CALEB BINGHAM (1757-1817) was a textbook author, publisher, and bookseller in Boston, Massachusetts. Born in Salisbury, Connecticut, he was educated and taught at Dartmouth College. His most famous works were on public speaking, including the well-known The Columbian Orator. Other textbooks Bingham wrote on grammar and speech include The American Preceptor and The Young Lady's Accidence.

A Study in Scarlet, originally titled A Tangled Skein and published in 1887, was the first story to ever feature Detective Sherlock Homes and his trusty sidekick Watson. Written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in less than three weeks when he was 27, it would eventually become one of the most famous Holmes stories written, and was one of only four full-length novels starring the detective. A Study in Scarlet was also the first novel to feature a magnifying glass as a detective's tool.Scottish surgeon and political activist SIR ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE (1859-1930) turned his passions into stories and novels, producing fiction and nonfiction works sometimes controversial (The Great Boer War, 1900), sometimes fanciful (The Coming of the Fairies, 1922), and sometimes legendary (The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, 1892).

An invaluable relic of early 19th-century Americana, this collection of spells, incantations, and remedies is an example of that fascinating blend of Christian prayer and folk magic known as "hoodoo," which is still practiced in some areas of Pennsylvania Dutch country.In this classic work, first published in the German language in 1820 and translated into English in 1828, Hohman shares his secret magic for:¿ curing hysterics¿ protecting oneself against slander¿ attaching a dog to a person¿ making a wand for searching for iron or water¿ preventing malicious persons from doing injury¿ curing the poll-evil in horses¿ mending broken glass¿ making cattle return home¿ destroying rats and mice¿ making a candle wick that is never consumed¿ charming guns and other arms¿ and much more.Folk enchanter JOHN GEORGE HOHMAN emigrated from Germany to the United States in 1802. Not much is known about his life prior to then but once in the US he settled in a Pennsylvania Dutch community. He was a book printer and collected herbal remedies while studying charms and different ways to heal with magic.

Travels in Arabia Deserta, originally published in 1888, is a two-volume set which describes English poet Charles Doughty's extensive travels through the Arabian deserts and the discoveries he made there. The work became well-regarded for its beautiful prose as well as its extensiveness, which made it a benchmark of ambitious travel writing in the early 20th century. Written in the style of the King James Bible, the text is extravagant and creative. In the 1920's, it was discovered by British Army Officer T.E. Lawrence, who spurred the book's republication, this time with an introduction from Lawrence. The book has been in and out of print since then, but the Cosimo edition is a rare 1921 reprint, and includes the Lawrence introduction.Volume I includes T.E. Lawrence's Introduction, as well as accounts of Doughty's treks to Mecca, Ammon and Moab, the Mountain of Edom, Arabia, the Passage of the Harra, Teyma, and more. He also describes nomad life in the desert and ancient stories, peoples, and myths connected with his travels.CHARLES MONTAGU DOUGHTY (1843-1926) was an English poet and writer born in Theberton Hall, Saxmundham, Suffolk. He attended King's College London and graduated from Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge in 1864. Among this author's works are an epic poem in six volumes titled The Dawn in Britain, published in 1906, and his well-known Travels in Arabia Deserta, for which he received much praise.

Practical New Thought: Several Things That Have Helped People is a collection of essays published in W.W. Atkinson's New Thought magazine, compiled into one useful text. It contains a rare Preface from the author, an apology of sorts-though he specifically says it is not-about the quality of the essays and his inability to polish them for republication because of his fondness for the original works. The essays selected are those that seemed to have the most effect on his readers, those which truly helped people in their daily lives. Practical New Thought contains 27 essays, including "The Keynote," "Aim Straight," "Partnership," "Let Us Have Faith," and "Get in Tune."American writer WILLIAM WALKER ATKINSON (1862-1932) was editor of the popular magazine New Thought from 1901 to 1905 and editor of the journal Advanced Thought from 1916 to 1919. He authored dozens of New Thought books under numerous pseudonyms, including the name "Yogi," some of which are likely still unknown today.

The Final Days of Socrates is a book of four dialogues by Plato-Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, and Phaedo-centering, as most of Plato's dialogues do, around Socrates. These four dialogues cover the time leading up to Socrates' trial and through his death and depiction of the afterlife. Euthyphro concerns Socrates and Euthyphro, a known so-called religious expert, as they try to determine a definition for piety. Apology is Plato's version of Socrates' speech as he defends himself against the criminal charges of corrupting the youth and not believing in the same deities as the state. The Crito is a dialogue between Socrates and a friend about justice, injustice, and the reaction to injustice. Finally Phaedo, one of Plato's most famous Socratic dialogues, depicts the death of Socrates and his argument for the existence of an afterlife. All four works are also included in the Cosimo omnibus editions of The Works of Plato.One of the greatest Western philosophers who ever lived, PLATO (c. 428-347 B.C.) was a student of Socrates and teacher of Aristotle. Plato was greatly influenced by Socrates' teachings, often using him as a character in scripts and plays (Socratic dialogues), which he used to demonstrate philosophical ideas. Plato's dialogues were and still are used to teach a wide range of subjects, including politics, mathematics, rhetoric, logic, and, naturally, philosophy.