The Sexual World of the Arabian Nights

'In this daring and insightful work, David Ghanim offers an intensive and perceptive analytical exploration and expounding of the sexual facets in the Nights, adding to his repertoire of serious and reflective studies of various aspects of gender in Middle Eastern cultures. He highlights and elucidates the still considered tabued issues of sexuality and erotica in a variety of contexts.' Hasan el-Shamy, Indiana University

'An interesting and comprehensive picture of the rich, lively, and in some ways astonishingly permissive variety of sexual relations in the medieval Middle East. By providing an illuminating portrayal of the vibrant intellectual life of the urban elites, and medieval classical Arabic literature and anecdotes, the book offers a historical context that would challenge many prevalent perceptions about life in the region.' Haideh Moghissi, York University, Toronto

'David Ghanim's book is an excellent exploration of perhaps the most central theme linking the various tales in One Thousand and One Nights, the varieties and vicissitudes of human sexuality, particularly how women assert their power.' Daniel Beaumont, University of Rochester, New York

'In its information so painstakingly gathered, this book is by any standards both revealing and gripping. The author clearly knows his subject.' Abdul Sattar Jawad, Duke University, North Carolina