RICHARD FRANCIS BURTON

Cinco años antes de morir, cuando la vejez le obligó a hacerse sedentario, Sir Richard Burton publicó en 1895 su traducción de una obra que le había apasionado desde niño, "Las mil noches y una noche". Le salieron diecisiete volumenes fieles al original arabe, repletos de fuerza y erotismo que se nego a censurar. No resulto una tarea dificil para alguien que habia recorrido medio mundo, descubierto el lago Tanganica, escrito un detallado tratado sobre pederastia y acumulado apuntes sobre el tamaño de los genitales masculinos de distintos pueblos. Jorge Luis Borges, a quien entusiasmaba la version de Burton, escribio que "los arabes afirman que la empresa de leer este libro entero llevaria a la muerte". Para evitar ese riesgo, Diego Garrido ha seleccionado y traducido algunas de sus mejores paginas, que su hermano Arturo se ha encargado de ilustrar. Son relatos que rebosan crueldad y sensualidad con la inocencia de las formas inconclusas de un espejo.

Seis años después de su peregrinación a las ciudades santas del Islam, y al año siguiente de su accidentado viaje con Speke hasta las fuentes del Nilo, emprende Burton el inesperado viaje hasta Salt Lake City, la ciudad santa de los mormones, que con su habitual viveza describe en este libro. Desde St. Joseph (Missouri), a donde ha llegado remontando el gran rio americano, Burton emprende, sin disfraz esta vez, un viaje a traves de las Praderas, hasta el actual estado de Utah, en plena epoca de la quimera del oro californiana, y coincidiendo con las primeras grandes guerras indias. Su perspicacia descriptiva y la plasticidad resultan tan sugestivas en este escenario, psicologicamente mas proximo a nosotros, como en las cripticas arenas del Hiyaz.

(See also: #18506 for Vol. 2)

Con la minuciosa descripción de las ceremonias que tienen lugar en la Meca y sus alrededores, para conseguir el apreciado título de hayi (peregrino), acompañada de un vívida pintura de la ciudad misma y de la"Casa de Ala", la mezquita en cuyo centro se alza la Kaaba, punto de mira de todo el Islam, concluye la apasionante peregrinacion de Sir Richard Burton a los lugares santos del mundo musulman.Tres apendices de otros tantos poco conocidos precursores de Burton (Bartema, Pitts y Finati), extractados y anotados por el propio autor, y en los que desde perspectivas y epocas diferentes se describen los mismo ritos y lugares, completan la obra.

Audiolibro.

Considerado por el propio Burton como la parte pivotal del terminal essay a su celebérrima traducción de las mil y una noches (16 vols. publicados entre 1885 y 1888), este trabajo verdaderamente enciclopedico, que burton titulo simplemente pederasty, y que en sus ediciones separadas inglesas y americanas suele aparecer bajo el titulo de the sotadic zone, aparece hoy como un trabajo pionero en los estudios sobre homosexualidad y practicas sexuales desviadas, que tanta importancia adquirian ulteriormente con el psicoanalisis y la sexologia moderna.Se adelanto en casi trece años al fundacional sexual inversion, de ellis, con el que el famoso sexologo ingles decidio comenzar sus estudios de psicologia sexual, y en casi quince a la aparicion del anuario de hirschfeld, donde este empezo a publicar sus estudios sobre los zwischenstufen, o tipos sexuales intermedios.Esto le gano a Burton una extendida fama de homosexual en la estrecha y victoriana sociedad de su epoca, fama que ya venia gestando precisamente desde la epoca en que el mismo confiesa haber trabado por primera vez contacto con la execrabilis familia pathicorum (lisa y llanamente, los homosexuales), es decir, durante la campaña de napier en sind, en los años 1844-45. Su escaso respeto de las convenciones sociales, su vida aventurera, y su fascinacion...

Composed in classical Sanskrit by Vtsyyana, the Kama Sutra is not merely a manual of sexual technique but a urbane treatise on householding, courtship, aesthetic refinement, and civic etiquette. In Richard Francis Burtons influential English edition, the text appears in ornate Victorian prose, surrounded by copious notes that gloss technical terms and compare customs across cultures. Issued privately in 1883 under the Kama Shastra Society to evade censorship, it blends philological care with ethnographic curiosity while staging the work for wary Anglophone readers. Burtonsoldier-explorer, linguist, and indefatigable comparatistserved in India and read deeply in Oriental literatures; his encounters in bazaars and courts, and his interest in sexual ethnology, shaped this project. Working with F. F. Arbuthnot and Indian scholars, he combined translation with annotation, channeling the same anthropological impulse that informs his Arabian Nights and other taboo-challenging studies. This edition rewards readers of Indology, translation studies, and the history of sexuality: a classic of Sanskrit thought refracted through Victorian mediation. Read it both for its durable insights into pleasure and decorum, and as a case study in culture, censorship, and voice.Quickie Classics summarizes timeless works with precision, preserving the authors voice and keeping the prose clear, fast, and readabledistilled, never diluted. Enriched Edition extras: Introduction · Synopsis · Historical Context · Author Biography · Brief Analysis · 4 Reflection Q&As · Editorial Footnotes.

In "The Complete Works of Sir Richard Francis Burton (Illustrated & Annotated Edition)," readers are presented with a richly curated compilation of Burtons diverse writings, ranging from travelogues and anthropology to poetry and sexual ethnography. Characterized by his adventurous spirit and linguistic prowess, Burtons style is both erudite and engaging, seamlessly blending first-person narratives with meticulous research. This collection not only captures the essence of 19th-century exploration and colonial attitudes but also invites readers to reflect on the complexities of cultural encounters and the intricacies of human nature. Sir Richard Francis Burton was a polymath, an explorer, and a pivotal figure in the Victorian eras expanding understanding of the world. His extensive travels across the globe, from the Middle East to Africa, equipped him with unique insights into different cultures. His distinguished career was marked by his efforts to challenge societal norms, notably in his writings on sexuality and mythology, which were often ahead of their time, reflecting his deep curiosity and unyielding quest for knowledge. This illustrated and annotated edition is a must-read for anyone interested in the intersections of adventure, literature, and cultural studies. Burtons works are not merely historical artifacts; they remain timeless explorations of the human condition, making this collection an invaluable resource for scholars and casual readers alike.

"In tide of yore and in time long gone before, there was a King of the Kings of the Banu Sásán in the Islands of India and China, a Lord of armies and guards and servants and dependents . . . So he succeeded to the empire; when he ruled the land and forded it over his lieges with justice so exemplary that he was beloved by all the peoples of his capital and of his kingdom." The Book of the Thousand Nights and A Night is a collection of Middle Eastern, West Asian and South Asian stories and folk tales compiled in Arabic during the Islamic Golden Age. It is often known in English as the Arabian Nights.The stories proceed from an original tale of ruler Shahryr and his wife Scheherazade where some stories are framed within other stories, while others begin and end of their own accord. This edition contains more than 1001 tales of romance, erotica, supernatural and adventure along with copious notes transport you into the land of magic and nostalgia.

Richard Francis Burtons "One Thousand and One Nights (Complete Annotated Edition)" is an immersive exploration of the iconic collection of Middle Eastern folktales. Burtons translation is notable for its fidelity to the original text and its lively, poetic style, which captures the richness and nuance of the Arabic language. This edition is meticulously annotated, offering invaluable insights into historical, cultural, and linguistic contexts, illuminating the tales multifaceted significance. Burtons annotated observations enhance the narrative experience while shedding light on characters and themes ranging from love and betrayal to wisdom and folly. A prominent explorer, linguist, and scholar of the 19th century, Richard Francis Burton brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his translation. His travels through the Middle East and his voracious studies of various cultures fueled his fascination with the storytelling traditions captured in the "Nights." This work reflects not only his dedication to accurate representation but also his ambition to bridge the gap between Eastern and Western literary traditions. "One Thousand and One Nights (Complete Annotated Edition)" is essential for readers seeking to experience the depth and variety of these timeless tales. Burtons adept storytelling, combined with his scholarly annotations, invites both casual readers and serious students of literature to explore the intricate moral and philosophical questions posed by these stories. This edition serves as a vital resource for understanding the cultural heritage of the Arab world.

The Complete Works of Sir Richard Francis Burton presents a remarkable compendium of the diverse and irreplaceable contributions of one of the Victorian eras most enigmatic explorers and linguists. Burtons literary style is characterized by meticulous observation, vivid descriptions, and an unyielding curiosity about the cultures he encountered, offering readers an immersive insight into the worlds of travel, anthropology, and sexuality. His works, spanning poetry, travel narratives, and translations, not only reflect the complexities of 19th-century imperial attitudes but also challenge them, presenting alternative perspectives on colonial encounters and human behavior. Sir Richard Francis Burton was not merely an explorer; he was a polymath steeped in languages, religions, and the arts, with a lifelong fascination for understanding the other. His upbringing in a cultured household fostered a passion for exploration and scholarship, while his personal questsAisuch as his expeditions to discover the sources of the NileAireveal an individual unafraid to push societal boundaries. This intellectual background undoubtedly shaped the eclectic tapestry of his writings. The Complete Works of Sir Richard Francis Burton is an essential addition to the libraries of those interested in exploration, cultural studies, and Victorian literature. This collection invites readers to delve into the multifaceted voice of a man who was as controversial as he was visionary, encouraging a critical engagement with the legacies of exploration and representation.

In Richard Francis Burtons compelling translation of the ancient Indian text "Kama Sutra," the intricate interweaving of sexual philosophy, art, and pleasure is meticulously presented. This seminal work, originally composed by Vtsyyana, transcends its reputation as merely a manual on sexual practices, delving into the broader themes of love, aesthetics, and ethical living in the pursuit of pleasure. Burtons literary style is marked by his rich language and keen observations, evoking the cultural context of 19th-century Victorian society, where discussions of sexuality were often shrouded in taboo, yet he boldly sought to illuminate and demystify these age-old teachings. Burton, a renowned explorer, linguist, and anthropologist, was driven by an insatiable curiosity about diverse cultures and their customs. His extensive travels through the East, combined with his expertise in linguistics, provided him with a unique vantage point to approach the "Kama Sutra" with both reverence and scholarly rigor. His goal was to create an accurate and respectful translation that would captivate the Western audience while preserving the essence of the original text. Recommended for scholars, enthusiasts of erotic literature, and those intrigued by human sexuality, Burtons "Kama Sutra" is an essential read that challenges perceptions and invites deep reflection. Its blend of sensual wisdom and cultural insight encourages readers to explore the complexities of love and desire, making it an invaluable addition to any literary collection.In this enriched edition, we have carefully created added value for your reading experience:- A succinct Introduction situates the works timeless appeal and themes.- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the eras events and influences that shaped the writing.- An Author Biography reveals milestones in the authors life, illuminating the personal insights behind the text.- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the works messages, connecting them to modern life.- Handpicked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.

In this illustrated edition of the "Kama Sutra," readers are invited to explore one of the most emblematic texts of ancient literature through a collection that bridges the historical with the visual. This anthology opens a window into the rich tapestry of human relationships, sensuality, and the societal norms that have fascinated readers for centuries. Highlighting diverse literary styles, the collection showcases pieces from the original Sanskrit verses along with Victorian translations that played critical roles in introducing this classical work to the Western world. Each piece within this collection communicates the intricate dance of intimacy and ethics through its profound narratives and striking illustrations. The collection, starring the astute translations by Richard Francis Burton and others, situates itself at the intersection of East and West, offering insights into the evocative cultural history that surrounds "Kama Sutra." The original text, attributed to Vatsyayana, remains timeless in its exploration of human emotions and relations. Each contributing author offers a unique lens into the narrative, echoing the vibrancy and complexity inherent to their cultural milieus and literary traditions, thus enriching the overarching theme of love and morality. Together, these voices form a cohesive narrative imbued with historical significance and illustrative beauty. This compilation presents an extraordinary opportunity for readers to navigate through the myriad themes of the "Kama Sutra". By delving into its pages, readers will experience a convergence of historical wisdom and artistic expression, encouraging them to reflect on the vivid depictions and philosophical dialogues inherent to these ancient teachings. This anthology is not only an educational journey but also a compelling conversation among various authors, making it an indispensable guide for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of cultural and literary intersections regarding human relationships.