The Surest Path to Knowledge Concerning the Conditions of Countries (Aqwam -al-Masalik) (Two volumes)

This is the fourth edition of the complete book “Aqwam-al-Masalik”, following the original edition published in Tunis, in 1867 and the third edition released by” Beit al-Hikma “ in 1990. The republication of this book serves important academic and intellectual goals. It includes an analytical study of Kheireddine Ettounsi, featuring a comprehensive timeline of his biography contextualised within his era, and a second table that clearly illustrates his impact on the development of political prose and travel literature in the nineteenth century.

The book also contains a complete introduction to “Aqwam-al-Masalik”, which  includes its preface, the first book (describing twenty countries), the second book (covering the sections of the globe), the conclusion, and the commendations.

Furthermore, this edition includes a bibliography that addresses Kheireddine’s biography, his reformist doctrine, his works, and his era drawing upon recent studies. It also features indexes of Quranic verses, prophetic hadiths, prominent figures, poems, places, mentioned books and terminology.

An observer of Kheireddine Ettounsi’s experience through “Aqwam al-Masalik” will perceive his call for renewal and reform across various aspects of social, political, and economic life in Tunisia.

It is well known that Kheireddine was unable to implement most of the liberal ideas and political visions presented in his book due to numerous political maneuvers and the many adversaries of this reformist approach. Nevertheless, the book captured the attention of the intellectual and political elite at the time and remains to this day one of the most prominent works in the field of reforming governance systems and advocating  for the utilisation of the civilizational achievements of other nations. This highlights Tunisia’s   pioneering role in this regard.