By writing historical novels, Jurji Zaidan wanted to provide the common Arabic people with an accurate sense of their own history in an accessible, entertaining way. His novels were unavailable in English for nearly a century. But now, in the last two years, six English translations have appeared. By M. Lynx Qualey

George Zaidan might have passed his whole life without reading his famous grandfather’s novels. Jurji Zaidan’s grandson was absorbed first in his studies, then in the family publishing business, and later in his long career at the World Bank. Jurji Zaidan’s twenty-two novels were an important part of family lore, certainly. But George Zaidan, who was born 25 years after his grandfather died, was occupied with other things. More >>