Abu'l-Tayyib al-Mutanabbi (915-965) is often regarded as the greatest of the classical Arab poets, with his work occupying a unique position at the heart of Arab culture. Born the son of a water-carrier in Kufah, Iraq, al-Mutanabbi lived a tumultuous life spent in court employment writing panegyrics for his many patrons, and in periods of imprisonment and exile - the latter a consequence of his revolutionary activities and provocative personality.<BR>This concise and yet enthralling study analyzes the main features of al-Mutanabbi's writing in the context of the diverse stages of his life and career. Including an invaluable and Highly accessible presentation of the rich tradition of poetry and Arab culture that al-Mutanabbi inherited, and of which he would become a central figurehead, this is a well researched and inviting look at the great poet and the mystique that has surrounded both him and his work.