Ибн Халдун (Ibn Ibn Khaldûn)Table of Contents
Introduction to the 2005 Edition
From the Translator’s Introduction to the 1958 Unabridged Edition
The Introduction: The excellence of historiography. An appreciation of the various approaches to history. A glimpse of the different kinds of errors to which historians are liable. Why these errors occur
Book One: of the Kitâb Al-‘ibar The nature of civilization. Bedouin and settled life, the achievements of superiority, gainful occupations, ways of making a living, sciences, crafts, and all the other things that affect civilization. The causes and reasons thereof
Chapter 1: Human civilization in general
First Prefatory: Discussion
Second Prefatory Discussion: The parts of the earth where civilization is found. Some information about oceans, rivers, and zones
Third Prefatory Discussion: The temperate and the intemperate zones. The influence of the air upon the colour of human beings and upon many other aspects of their condition
Fourth Prefatory Discussion: The influence of climate upon human character
Fifth Prefatory Discussion: Differences with regard to abundance and scarcity of food in the various inhabited regions and how they affect the human body and character
Sixth Prefatory Discussion: The various types of human beings who have supernatural perception either through natural disposition or through exercise, preceded by a discussion of inspiration and dream visions
Chapter 2: Bedouin civilization, savage nations and tribes and their conditions of life, including several basic and explanatory statements