A collection of outstanding and fascinating artists books revealing the inspirations and concerns of a group of remarkable contemporary artists. More than a simple reflection of the British Museums artistbook holdings this is an important index of artists responses to the issues and circumstances that have shaped the Arab world in recent times. ArtReview A rare treat...a passionate and extremely well organized analysis of over 60 artists books from the British Museums collection. The Markaz Review Every so often a book comes along that changes the breadth and depth of ones understanding of art and opens up new avenues of thought and knowledge... An outstanding read and invaluable addition to the canon of literature on the nature of artist practices and the creation of what Porter so rightly describes as works of wonder. Canvas magazine In the hands of artists and poets books have been taking a radically different form since the advent of the artists book in Paris in the early 20th century. Appearing in a variety of shapes and sizes as oneoffs or small print editions books offer artists and poets a novel form of expression. In the words of Indian artist Nalini Malani b. 1946 the book is a carrier of experience in which whole worlds are encapsulated. In this beautifully produced book works made by artists from Beirut to Tunis and beyond highlight the relationship between artists and writers and the influences that inform their work from family to politics and everything in between. Lebanese artist Abed Al Kadiri b. 1984 conceived his book during the first month of the pandemic to explore his family history while through the eyes of Iraqi artist Kareem Risan b. 1960 we see the shocking aftermath of a deadly explosion on the streets of Baghdad in 2005. These artists also find inspiration in classical poetry and literature. Some of their works respond to and are informed by the medieval Persian poetry of Rumi and Hafez as well as the tales of The Thousand and On