The Book of Instruction in the Elements of the Art of Astrology Hardcover – 10 Sept. 2010

Regarding the paperback Kessinger reprint, I was most disappointed to find that, despite being a facsimile reproduction, this edition does NOT include the Arabic text, which appeared en face in the original edition of R. Ramsay Wright's translation (as noted on the title page: 'The Translation facing the Text…'. For me, this is a major shortcoming, which should be clearly indicated in the description of the book. That said, it is wonderful that the English translation of this key text of Islamic astrology has been brought back into print and is available at so affordable a price.To make a very brief comment on the text itself, this is a valuable reference work for anyone concerned with the history of science and mathematics, particularly Islamic science, as it details many technical astronomical terms (astrology and astronomy being more or less two aspects of a single discipline at that time), which are explained clearly, sometimes employing diagrams and tables. Of course, the work is also of use to anyone interested in the history of astrology, although it should be noted in respect to the 'Instruction in the Elements of the Art' part of the title, that this is by no means an astrological handbook in the modern sense. Written in 1029 CE, many of Biruni's conclusions on this topic endure today, and the impressive scope of this polymath's learning remains evident from his prolific output.