The Thousand and One Nights has captivated audiences for centuries, conveying universal messages through the adventures of both historical and nonhistorical figures. Yet, since medieval times, it has not been considered worthy of serious literary debate, and has been marginalized in the tradition of high Arabic literature. This book has successfully defied this taboo and in a brilliant combination of medieval and modern studies has emphasized the continuity, rather than the compartmentalization of Arabo-Islamic culture.