Rabih Alameddine's 'Beirut, City of the World: Enlightenment' is the inaugural volume in his ambitious trilogy that intricately explores Beirut's multifaceted identity. This installment delves into the city's vibrant intellectual and cultural landscape, portraying its historical journey through periods of enlightenment and profound societal shifts. Alameddine masterfully weaves together narratives of its diverse inhabitants, capturing their struggles, aspirations, and the enduring spirit of a metropolis often defined by its paradoxes. Readers are invited on a rich, evocative journey through the heart of a city that transcends its geographical boundaries to become a symbol of the global human experience, particularly focusing on its moments of intellectual flourishing and societal awakening.