In this seminal critical work, Taha Hussein undertakes an in-depth analysis of the celebrated Abbasid poet, al-Mutanabbi. Hussein moves beyond traditional praise, applying his modern critical methodology to scrutinize the poet's life, character, and artistic genius. He controversially questions al-Mutanabbi's lineage and psychological motivations, offering a bold re-evaluation of his poetry's authenticity and context. The book is a profound dialogue between a modern literary titan and a classical master, forever changing the way classical Arabic literature is studied and understood.