A Boswell of Baghdad; With Diversions

The author opens a lively door onto Ibn Khallikan’s medieval biographical dictionary, a massive collection of scholars, poets and everyday figures from 13th‑century Baghdad. With a tone that mixes scholarly curiosity and witty storytelling, he pulls out the human quirks hidden among the dense entries, turning distant names into vivid personalities. The comparison to Boswell underscores a love of gossip and detail, revealing how surprisingly modern the ancient material can feel.

The work is arranged as short diversions—titles such as “The Two Perkinses,” “The Oldest Joke,” and “A First Communion in the War Zone” hint at the eclectic mix of history, humor and reflection. Each piece balances factual background with witty asides, making the scholarly material approachable and entertaining. Listeners will enjoy the blend of anecdotes, poetry snippets and the author’s observations, a bridge between rigorous reference and light‑hearted essay.