Countless African Americans have passed as white; leaving behind families and friends; roots and communities. It was; as Allyson Hobbs writes; a chosen exile. This history of passing explores the possibilities; challenges; and losses that racial indeterminacy presented to men and women living in a country obsessed with racial distinctions.
#938194 in Books 2015-01-06Original language:PersianPDF # 1 8.23 x 1.44 x 5.51l; .0 #File Name: 0674427750656 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Akbar is considered the greatest Mughal emperor of allBy Umar TosheebAkbar is considered the greatest Mughal emperor of all. This book is the volume 1 of his biography by Abu'L-Fazl. Considering the time it was written; during 16th-17th century; for modern readers the lavish praises might seem unusual. However; given the time it was written in; it's not unusual. The book provides good insight into earl Mughal India. For example; when Akbar's grandfather settled in Agra; after conquering Northern India; many of the nobles and soldiers wanted to go back to Central Asia because climate in India was too hot.The first volume of the book actually does not talk much about Akbar; but about his ancestors; especially his father Hamayun and grand father Babur. Babur laid the foundation of Mughal empire in India after struggling to hold on to his ancestral lands. The interesting thing about the early Mughal period was that how fluid movement of people was between Central Asia and North India. Overall; a good book with lots of information on early Mughal India. My guess is that volume II would be much better. This volume does not exclusively focus on Akbar; but sets the stage for more to come.If you are someone who can read Persian; this book has both the original Persian text; with the English translation.40 of 42 people found the following review helpful. A book to cherishBy Sam A. Mawn-MahlauAbu'l-Fazl can lay it on thick. The man is a master sycophant; a professional kowtower; a veritable Homer of the homage. In this work; he exalts his patron; the third emperor of the Mughal dynasty; Akbar; telling us of Akbar's extra-ordinariness in every way; from the portents of his birth to the extraordinary accomplishments of his childhood to the glory of his reign (though; this being volume 1; most of that glory will have to wait).But this encomium is not just floriferous and entertaining; it is also fascinating. For many; the Indian subcontinent in the Elizabethan age is an exotic thought; a distant and unfamiliar world to try to imagine. Yet the empire of Akbar; told to us by Abu'l-Fazl; is in many ways a not unfamiliar world. The characters are lively; interesting; and understandable; they live in a sophisticated; urban and literary culture. The empire building zeal and craft of the Emperor may well exceed the skill and enthusiasm of the British imperialists who would dismantle the empire over two hundred years later. And Abu'l-Fazl is as comfortable talking about Socrates and Plato as he is talking about Muhammad; his world is really not so exotic. While he may lay the flattery on a bit heavily to justify his courtly sinecure; Abu'l-Fazl can also be very revealing about the world he and Akbar inhabit; and very disarming in his accessibility.The Murty Classical Library is a new venture; and this is among their first volumes. It is an extraordinary offering in many ways. The book is beautiful; with an elegant design and a pleasing heft to it. The presence of the printing in the original is not just scholarly; it is lovely and helps to set the feeling that we are reading something from that classical Persianate world. The introductory material is helpful and well-written. I'm not in a position to judge the quality of the translation; but the English version is readable but still literary; reminiscent in many ways of the always engaging Dick Davis. This is a book to cherish.2 of 3 people found the following review helpful. beautifully made rare translationsBy Kindle CustomerThese books are beautifully made rare translations. I'm happy to have added the first five to my library and hope to continue to add them all as they're released.
