Known primarily in the West for his poem, The Rubaiyyat, Omar Khayyam was far more than an aesthete. A mathematician and philosopher as well as something of a heretic in 11th-century Persia, he challenged religious doctrines that readers in both cultures found highly secularist and deeply antireligious, making him something of a darling to rationalists like Voltaire. As Aminrazavi (philosophy & religion, Mary Washington Coll., Fredericksburg, VA) points out, Khayyam ultimately serves as a mirror for Western Victorian consciousness-those who like what they see praise him, those who don't view him as emblematic of the moral degeneration of civilized culture. Aminrazavi then offers a comprehensive view of Khayyam for English-speaking audiences, introducing not only Edward Fitzgerald's magisterial translation of The Rubaiyyat but also historical context on the poet-scientist, including a rerereading of his Sufism, philosophical thought, scientific contributions, and ever-changing reception in the West. The appendixes provide translations of Khayyam's philosophical treatises and other Arabic poems, which alone makes this a valuable work. Engaging and readable, this is recommended for Islamic, medieval history, and philosophy collections.-Sandra Collins, Univ. of Pittsburgh Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.