Around the World in 200 Days

Please read this post with full attention as I put my greatest effort in translating, researching and quoting in order for this post to look as proper as possible for this great personality whom I carry a great deal of passion towards. He is Anis Mansour an Arab writer who is considered the pioneer of modern Arabic travel writing and one of the top journalists in his field By all standards, he is "a free-standing independent press institution". Specialized in philosophy, interested in literature, deeply in love with politics, as well as scientific readings, he is indeed "an encyclopedic, multi-faceted writer". In the press, he has achieved the utmost that a writer can aspire and in literature all that a man of letters can possibly dream of. Navigating deep in philosophy, has given him all the depth and ability to probe deep and assimilate facts of life.

Above all, travel literature is his proper realm; his vital sphere. He is truly the first travel writer in the modern Arab world; the most popular indeed. His books are on top of best-sellers in Egypt and the Arab world. He is characteristically known for his intensive and extensive reading in all fields of knowledge. He acquired his appreciation of literature from his father. Born in the central-Delta city of Al Mansoura on August 18, 1925, he obtained his BA (philosophy) in 1947, and then worked for some time as a teacher of philosophy.

His major conception of the universality of philosophical literature are expressed in his book Al Aqqad's Saloon, we had some days". In this book; he renders his own conception of the rich discussions on philosophy, history and civilization, made in presence of an eminent author and thinker, whom he admired and highly valued. His book "Those drived with me", is a study, made in deep love and admiration, of the most prominent thinkers in Egypt and the entire world. "Those Great Men were Born at the Same Time", is a study of a number of great men of thought, literature and philosophy, who influenced his life, including Al Aqqad, Al Mazni, Taha Hussein, Al Rafie, philosophers such as Heidegger and Marcel, historian Toynbee. etc.. All of them were born in 1889. 4. His book "Behold ! It's Full Moon", is an account of a spiritual trip, where he recalled all his private fears and anxiety.

His book "Blessed Be My Soul" renders memorial recollections, where he portrays early beginnings of anxiety and fears which had enveloped his childhood and later survived in his youth and the rest of his life. Anis Mansour as a travel writer Mansour's travel writings were sheer pieces of self-expression. In his travels he was rather reaching for himself under various circumstances.

Chief of his travel books is "Around the World in 200 Days", for which he was granted the State Incentive Award. This book is most famous and widely read work in the Arab world, which is reprinted every nine months. This book is considered one of the most interesting and in-depth accounts ever known in Arabic literature, of tales and facts on many countries of the world. Preface to the second edition was written by famous novelist Mahmoud Taymor.
Following the 1967 war, he wrote some example - setting books designed to raise the morale of youngmen, these included:
"The most wonderful Travels in History" and "You are in Japan and other countries" In these books he describes life and manners in some countries and shows how these nations could overcome difficulties faced.

He also wrote in politics, literary criticism, psychology and science.He also contributes a daily column, entitled "Situations" in Al Ahram Daily. Today, he writes for The Middle East Newspaper "Asharq Al-Awsat" which is the most famous and prestigious News paper in the middle East and the world. I hope that I have been as neutral in my language as possible because it is extremely difficult for anybody to be neutral when talking about his or her role model when it comes to journalism and writing in general. Now here are some facts about the man:

· He was appointed Editor-in-Chief of "Akher Saa" and later "October magazines" in 1976. Besides, he acted as Chairman of the Board of Directors for Dar El Maaref press house until he retired in 1985.
· In "Al Akhbar" newspaper he was the youngest of the book-page writers including prominent literary figures such as Al Aqqad, Salama Moussa, and Ali and Mustafa Amin.

· He mastered besides Arabic, English, French, Italian, Greek and Hebrew languages.
· He played a vital role in the peace negotiations with Israel during the tenure of President Sadat.
· He taught philosophy at the university for 17 years.
· After gaining a name in the press, he collected his short stories previously published anonymously in two books; "Dear Mr. So" and "Remnants of Everything."
· He wrote about 177 books in various fields.
· He translated from German, French and English about 200 short stories and 24 plays.
· He was the first to issue a book in Arabic on existentialism.
· He was the first to translate into Arabic and introduced to Egypt Italian writer Alberto Mararrio.
· He wrote 15 comedies, which were televised or staged.
· He wrote 12 Television serials.
· Anis Mansour believes that literature is the subjective expression of the writer's life and personality.
His own books are, thus, a reflection of his thoughts and personality.

By this post, I wish I presented a fair image of this great writer and I hope that someday you ( My Arabic reader ) would enjoy reading for this icon who has a great impact on the Arabian collective conscious. ^_^

P.S. The titles of the books in red are translations of the Arabic titles. He didn't write them in English.