[MIDDLE EAST / ARABIC / NORTH AFRICA] Muqaddimah al-aqwam al-masâlik fî ma'rifat ahwâl al-mamâlik tercemesi. [i.e. The surest path to knowledge regarding the condition of countries]. Translated by Abdurrahman Efendi

KHAYR AL-DIN PASHA AL-TUNUSÎ (TUNUSLU HAYREDDIN PASHA), (1820-1890), Al-Jawaib Printing House, Istanbul, [AH 1296] = 1879. Contemporary burgundy half calf, five raised bands to spine, title lettered in gilt. An old label on the spine, and slight tears on paper covered on boards. Otherwise a very good copy. Cr. 8vo. (20 x 14 cm). In Ottoman script (Old Turkish with Arabic letters). [2], [6], [1], 147, [3] p. Extremely rare first and only Turkish edition of Al-Tunusî's first-hand account and observations during his voluntary exile to Europe and the manner of politics of the innovating West. This is the earliest translation to Ottoman Turkish of his 1867 book "Aqwam al-Masâlik fī Ma'rifat Aḥwâl al-Mamâlik [i.e. The Surest Path to Knowledge regarding the Condition of Countries]" making a comparison between European and Muslim states. In his book, Al-Tunusî proposed strategies for governance and compared European political systems. Also, he articulated a path to follow in order to achieve n