Writing Egypt: Al-Maqrizi and His Historical Project

This book is the most comprehensive, in-depth, and layered biography of al-Maqrizi, the greatest historian of pre-modern Egypt. It explores his life, work, and impact, interpreting his historical output as a long-term scholarly project centered on his famous Khitat. It analyzes his approach and methodologies in light of his beliefs, ethics, feelings, education, social standing, world views, politics, and personal circumstances. It restores al-Maqrizi to the pinnacle of the Mamluk historiographical tradition as an outspoken critic driven by moral rectitude. The book is divided into three sections: his life story, a historiographical, textual, and methodological analysis of his oeuvre, and the reconstruction of his afterlife and his work in modern Egyptian consciousness.

Format: Hardback
Length: 332 pages
Publication date: 30 November 2022
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

Recounts the Life of Egypt's Greatest Historian




Al-Maqrizi, widely regarded as Egypt's most influential historian, has left an indelible mark on the field of historical inquiry. This comprehensive biography delves into the life and work of al-Maqrizi, offering a profound analysis of his contributions and their enduring impact.




In the first section, the book traces al-Maqrizi's life journey, from his early years to his rise as a prominent scholar. It explores the various influences that shaped his intellectual development, including his education, mentors, and personal experiences. Through this biographical narrative, readers gain a deeper understanding of the man behind the historical writings.




The second section delves into the extensive body of work that al-Maqrizi produced throughout his career. It examines his historical writings in detail, analyzing their methodology, sources, and overarching themes. The author provides a comprehensive interpretation of al-Maqrizi's historical project, which aimed to capture the entirety of Egypt's history through his famous Khitat. By examining al-Maqrizi's approach and methodologies, the book sheds light on his beliefs, ethics, feelings, education, social standing, world views, politics, and personal circumstances.




The third section of the book focuses on distilling insights from al-Maqrizi's massive textual output. It explores his theorizing, conception of history, and the influence of his teacher, Ibn Khaldun. The author analyzes al-Maqrizi's historical insights and their relevance in the contemporary world, restoring him to the pinnacle of Mamluk historiographical tradition as an unusually outspoken critic who was animated by his moral rectitude.




While al-Maqrizi is recognized as the most influential historian of pre-modern Egypt, his historical treatment has often fallen short of the scrutiny he deserves. This book aims to rectify that gap by providing a comprehensive and probing examination of al-Maqrizi's life, work, and legacy. It offers a valuable resource for scholars, students, and enthusiasts alike, shedding light on the rich tapestry of medieval Muslim historiography and its enduring impact on the study of history.

Weight: 664g
Dimension: 163 x 243 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399502818