Moses Maimonides (1138–1204), also known as Rambam, the author of the classic Guide to the Perplexed, was born in Córdoba, Spain. He was forced to flee with his family due to the persecution of all non-Islamic religions. This exile led him to live in Morocco, Palestine, and Egypt, where he encountered a diversity of cultures, languages, and faiths. Through these experiences and his unwavering faith in reason, Maimonides became a unique figure in the history of thought.
As a philosopher, physician (he served as Saladin’s personal doctor), and an eminent scholar of Jewish law, Maimonides dedicated his life to interpreting the teachings of the Hebrew Bible and the Talmud. He translated them, along with the word of God, into terms that could be understood by everyone, always advocating for a harmonious relationship between people and for individuals to lead fair and healthy lives.
In this biography, bibliophile Alberto Manguel explores and reveals the universal fascination with Maimonides — a man celebrated and respected during his lifetime and posthumously by Jews, Arabs, and Christians alike. In today’s world, where rationality and truth are increasingly essential, Maimonides once again emerges as a symbol of navigating with dignity through uncertainty.
Publisher: Tinta da China, November 2024
About the author: Alberto Manguel (born March 13, 1948, in Buenos Aires) is an Argentine-born writer, translator, essayist, and editor, now a Canadian citizen. He is the author of several works of nonfiction and literary analysis, most written in English. For over 20 years, Manguel has curated literary anthologies on a variety of themes and genres, from erotica to fantasy and mystery stories. From July 2016 to August 2018, he served as the director of the National Library of Argentina, succeeding Horacio González.