Pierre Cachia was born in Egypt in 1921, of a Maltese father and a Russian mother. After war service with the 8th Army, he taught at the American University of Cairo (1946-48), at the University of Edinburgh (1950-76), and at Columbia University (1975-91). He has written widely on Arabic literature.

• Preface  The Transcription of Arabic  1. The Root  2. The Stem  3. The Bifurcation  4. The Main Growth  5. The Iberian Branch  6. The Stunting  7. The Grafting  Bibliography  Index

'Cachia does indeed possess a consistent and persuasive overview of the subject ... he is learned and lively and his enthusiasms are infectious.' - Middle Eastern Studies