Franz Rosenthal provides a masterful biographical and intellectual study of the monumental 9th-century historian and scholar, Abu Ja'far Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari. This essential work explores al-Tabari's life, his extensive travels for knowledge, and his vast scholarly contributions, including his renowned universal history and Qur'anic commentary. Rosenthal delves into al-Tabari's methods, his intellectual milieu, and his enduring legacy, offering readers a comprehensive and profound understanding of one of the most influential figures in Islamic civilization.