<DIV>The Eclipse of the Abbasid Caliphate is one of the most original and interesting chronicles to have survived from the mediaeval Islamic world. Written by the noted Persian historian and philosopher, Miskawayh, it is a lively, vigorous and remarkably secular account of events during a time that many consider to be the golden age of Islamic scholarship. Miskawayh's position at court and his role as keeper of state papers meant he was well placed to provide what is an extremely well informed account of events. Translated from the Arabic by David Margoliouth, Laudian Professor of Arabic at Oxford University, the work is long out of print and now very rare. This edition is introduced by Hugh Kennedy, a leading international authority on the period.<B></DIV>