This volume combines the two volumes of Early Arabic Poetry originally published by Jones (retired, classical Arabic, U. of Oxford, UK) in 1992 and 1996. The monograph provides students with an understanding of early Arabic poems through translation and detailed linguistic and aesthetic analysis of examples of two key genres: laments and poems by outlaws and famous odes. A new introduction discussing the key issues of studying early Arabic poetry--origins and form, language formulae, transmission, authenticity, meter, and genre--has been added to this new edition. Distributed in the US by ISBS. Annotation ©2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)