Rumi - Past and Present, East and West: The Life, Teachings, and Poetry of Jalal al-Din Rumi

Rumi -- Past and Present, East and West, The Life, Teaching and Poetry of Jalal al-Din Rumi by Franklin D. Lewis is an encyclopaedic work on the greatest Sufi poet the world of Islam has ever produced. Mawlana Jalal al-Din Mohammad Balkhi, known as Mawlavi in his home land and as Rumi in the West, has been introduced to the Western world by scholars such as Nicholson, Arberry, Schimmel, Chittick and Nasr. Since then, scholarly critical works and translations of Rumi's works, Masnavi and Divan-e Shams, have appeared in different languages. Recently-published English translations by Bly and Barks are among the best sellers in America. What has made Rumi so popular in world cultures is his humanistic message of tolerance and respect for the other. Lewis has given Rumi full justice by writing this comprehensive book. Like Rumi himself, Lewis goes beyond any boundary to discuss Rumi's life, poetry, philosophy and different aspects of his message in high and popular cultures around the world with detailed scholarly notes that are immensely valuable for all researchers interested in the Islamic culture and civilization. Besides, Lewis's inspiring book provides the reader with many e-resources on Rumi and Mevlevi Order already unknown to both experts and general readers. These e-resources and internet links prove to open up new horizons for further research on Rumi in the 21th century. Scholars interested in interdisciplinary studies will find Lewis's book indispensable as well. Once again, Lewis's illuminating book shows that there is no end to research on one of the greatest philosopher-poets of the world.Alireza Anushiravani, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran

Rumi's works are valuable as social science in their reference to psychological development (the journey of soul). In order to understand Rumi, one must take a classical hermeneutical stance to uncover his intended meanings. This can only be done well if one understands Rumi himself. Franklin Lewis' text is now the greatest aid in so doing: there is no other extant text that gives such a thorough and accurate portrait of Rumi. It offers in-depth description and analysis of his antecedents, as well as the 13th century contemporary influences on his own psychological development. Other than Rumi's works themselves, no other book has been written that allows such insight into who he really was. Professor Lewis has written a work that is an invaluable aid in hermeneutically understanding Rumi, and in providing a richness of context through which one can better decode Rumi's own meaning-making.

A unique and most detailed biography of Rumi in English. A lot of material is repeated throughout the book and the text could be tightened for better reading. Something to consider for a 2nd edition.

If you're interested in learning about the historic Rumi, this is the best book I've found! It's a lengthy, well-written scholarly work by a multilingual author who seems to have read everything by, or written about, Rumi.

I find this book to be an extremely valuable and reliable resource. I use it and highly recommend it to everyone including my students in the In The Footprints of Rumi [...] course that I teach both live and online. This work is a labor of LOVE!

Before starting this book, I had never loved a book from the first sentence of the introduction. An extraordinary clear and important Rumi book.

Very detailed and easy to read and understand . This is a must have book!

At the time of Rumi/Molana/Molavi/Jalaledin Mohammad Balkhi and many tens of centuries before it and centuries after, there was no country called Afghanistan (how could he be an Afghani when Afghanistan didn't exist). I fully understand this is besides the message he conveys in his books, however from a scholarly point of view it would be appropriate to identify his country appropriately. Dari and Persian are the same language (two names for the same language), my friend Dari is short for Darbari, the language of Iran (Persia).

Franklin, You have done a great job which nobody could do it. You must be reading thousands of pages before producing this scholarly, masterly and intellectual masterpiece. I am writing an article on RUMI for urdu speakers and your reference will be on the top.....Thank you again

Franklin Lewis's book is the definitive summation of scholarly work on Rumi- it is essential if you are studying the man.