Найти книгу: "The Venetian Qur'an"

An anonymous book appeared in Venice in 1547 titled L'Alcorano di Macometto , and, according to the title page, it contained «the doctrine, life, customs, and laws [of Mohammed] . . . newly translated from Arabic into the Italian language.» Were this true, L'Alcorano di Macometto would have been the first printed direct translation of the Qur'an in a European vernacular language. The truth, however, was otherwise. As soon became clear, the Qur'anic sections of the book—about half the volume—were in fact translations of a twelfth-century Latin translation that had appeared in print in Basel in 1543. The other half included commentary that balanced anti-Islamic rhetoric with new interpretations of Muhammad's life and political role in pre-Islamic Arabia. Despite having been discredited almost immediately, the Alcorano was affordable, accessible, and widely distributed. In The Venetian Qur'an , Pier Mattia Tommasino uncovers the volume's mysterious origins, its previously unidentified author, and its broad, lasting influence. L'Alcorano di Macometto , Tommasino argues, served a dual purpose: it was a book for European refugees looking to relocate in the Ottoman Empire, as well as a general Renaissance reader's guide to Islamic history and stories. The book's translation and commentary were prepared by an unknown young scholar, Giovanni Battista Castrodardo, a complex and intellectually accomplished man, whose commentary in L'Alcorano di Macometto bridges Muhammad's biography and the text of the Qur'an with Machiavelli's The Prince and Dante's Divine Comedy . In the years following the publication of L'Alcorano di Macometto , the book was dismissed by Arabists and banned by the Catholic Church. It was also, however, translated into German, Hebrew, and Spanish and read by an extended lineage of missionaries, rabbis, renegades, and iconoclasts, including such figures as the miller Menocchio, Joseph Justus Scaliger, and Montesquieu. Through meticulous research and literary analysis, The Venetian Qur'an reveals the history and legacy of a fascinating historical and scholarly document.

One February evening, when it is raining outside and there is nothing particularly to do, Archont Duval receives a letter from the mayor of Venice asking for his help. Just before the main event of the year, the Venetian carnival, the mayor's office receives puzzling anonymous notes. The archaeologist together with his nephew and niece must prevent a crime, the festival will take place!

A holiday romance is the last thing Nicola Whitney is looking for in Venice. But when she meets Dominic Loredan the sparks of attraction are as instantaneous as they are intense– and they immediately find themselves sharing a night of unbelievable passion!Only, then Dominic suggests that Nicola become his mistress. She' s horrified– did he seduce her for a reason? Nicola' s uncertain. Still, she knows she wants this gorgeous, brooding Italian– on any terms!

Mills & Boon are excited to present The Anne Mather Collection – the complete works by this classic author made available to download for the very first time! These books span six decades of a phenomenal writing career, and every story is available to read unedited and untouched from their original release.Emma’s visit to Venice was as eventful as it was unexpected. She ought to have known that her stepmother never did anything except for purely selfish reasons, and even a holiday in a sumptuous palazzo could not compensate Emma for heartache that followed.For her stepmother was intent on marrying the magnetically attractive Count Vidal Cesare, the impoverished lord of the palazzo, for the sole purpose of adding a title to her wealth.Only now it was doubtful whether the Count could sacrifice everything for money. Especially with the physical attraction he obviously felt for Emma simmering between them…

Venice: a city of secrets and passion!Dulcie Maddox is in Venice to work–but she finds herself wanting to spend every day with a tall, handsome gondolier….Guido Calvani is no gondolier–he's actually one of the wealthiest aristocrats in Venice. He hasn't told Dulcie that, though; it's refreshing to be wanted for himself, rather than for his money. Only, now he's falling for Dulcie. He'd like to make her his bride–but she has no idea who he really is, not even his real name. Then Guido discovers he's not the only one hiding a secret. And Dulcie's secret turns his world upside down….