Napoleon in Egypt Al-Jabarti's Chronicle of the French Occupation, 1798

This book is an Arab view of a turning point in modern history. Napoleon's conquest of Egypt in 1798 was the first contact between a Western power with imperial goals and an ancien regime of an African society. Sheik al-Jabarti's chronicle is a unique combination of historical narration and reflection combined with daily observations about the atmosphere in Cairo and the mood among local people. ?[Al-Jabarti] resents the French invasion, ridicules their claim to be a defender of the faith, rejects their belief in liberty and equality, despises their lack of morality and personal hygiene, but approves their efficiency, common loyalty and cooperation, and wonders at their technical and scholarly abilities. There was much he admired in these uncouth barbarians who even had a translation of the Koran in their luggage. . . . Al-Jabarti's work has been a treasure house . . . Moreh's editing and translating can serve as a model to other scholars.'?Journal of the American Oriental SocietyAbd al-Rahman al-Jabarti (1754?1825) was a renowned Arab historian and writer. Shmuel Moreh, Hebrew University, is one of the world's leading experts on Arab literature. Robert Tignor, Princeton University, places al-Jabarti's account in its historical context in his introduction.Al-Jabarti, Abal R. is the author of 'Napoleon in Egypt Al-Jabarti's Chronicle of the French Occupation, 1798' with ISBN 9781558760707 and ISBN 1558760709.