Contrary to the monolithic impression left by postcolonial theories of Orientalism, the book makes the case that Orientals did not exist solely to be gazed at. Hermes shows that there was no shortage of medieval Muslims who cast curious eyes towards the European Other and that more than a handful of them were interested in Europe.

Autorentext
Nizar F. Hermes received his PhD in Comparative Literature from the University of Toronto. He has been a lecturer of Arabic Studies at the University of Toronto and published book chapters, journal articles, and creative pieces in English and Arabic.

Inhalt
Introduction: Be(yond)fore Orientalism: Medieval Muslims and the Other: Re-Drawing the Essentialist Boundaries Translation, Travel, and the Other: The Fascination with Greek and Oriental Cultures European Barbarity and Civilization in some Medieval Arabic Geographical Sources: Al-Mas?udi and al-Bakri as Two Case Studies Writing the North: Europe and Europeans in Medieval Arabic Travel Literature Poetry, Frontiers, and Alterity: Views and Perceptions of al-Rum (Byzantines) and al-Ifranja (Crusaders)