Review by Choice Review
This reference work will be welcomed in many quarters. Gacek (McGill Univ.) gathers material from a wide variety of sources, including many earlier articles of his own. More than merely an introductory handbook, this is a serious work that makes for entertainingly informative reading, with or without a manuscript at hand. Extensively cross-indexed and referenced, Gacek's work facilitates searching, should the user not be overly familiar with much of the jargon from the world of Arabic paleography. The entries are liberally illustrated in color from some of the major world collections, while more technical entries rely on drawings that focus on a specific issue. The range of the work is broad, covering papers and vellum, watermarks, inks, bindings, pastes, covers, collation, and formats. The volume also covers matters more specific to manuscript contents, such as interpretation of colophons, autographs, abbreviations, rubrics, cryptography, dating, marginalia, ornamentation, and issues relating to Arabic, including calligraphic styles, vocalization, ligatures, fillers, magic squares, and so on. The long history of Arabic manuscripts is treated adequately, and useful tables (calendars, historical periods, dynasties) round out this comprehensive work. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-level undergraduates and above. S. P. Blackburn Hartford Seminary
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
