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The Prisoner of Al Hakim
Despite being one of the most brilliant mathematicians in the Abbasid caliphate, Alhasan Ibn al-Haytham makes a quiet living in Basra as a scholar and copyist. He's preparing to write a new treatise on vision and light when a strange man wearing unusual clothes kidnaps him and takes him to Cairo, for a meeting with the caliph, Al-Hakim. The “mad king” of the Fatimid caliphate wants Alhasan to utilize his brilliance to dam the mighty Nile River. What follows is the kind of adventure that the quiet, reserved Alhasan could never have imagined. Alhasan's incredible journey will lead him to the brink of ruin – and perhaps to his most monumental discovery. A novel about one of history's most overlooked scholars, The Prisoner of Al-Hakim is filled with vivid characters, thrilling scenes, and rich philosophical debates. It's a story about how love, faith, and knowledge are ultimately intertwined, and tells us as much about our contemporary times as about bygone eras.
- GenresFiction
248 pages, Paperback
Published May 2, 2017
1 person is currently reading
71 people want to read
About the author
Bradley Steffens
84 books12 followersBradley Steffens is a novelist, poet, and author of more than seventy nonfiction books for children and young adults.
Kirkus Reviews named his The Dark Side of Social Media one of the ten Best Young Adult Nonfiction Books of 2021. Steffens is a two-time recipient of the San Diego Book Award for Best Young Adult & Children's Nonfiction. His Giants won the 2005 award and his People in the News: J.K. Rowling received the 2007 prize. J.K. Rowling also received the Theodor S. Geisel Award for the best published book by a San Diego County author in 2007. Five of Steffens' books, including Ibn al-Haytham: First Scientist, have been selected by California Readers to be part of the California Collections.
Steffens' poetry has appeared in more than seventy literary journals, including Crosscurrents, Sidewalks, Loonfeather, Stone Country, and The Bellingham Review. Steffens has won several prizes for his poetry, including the Emerging Voices Award presented by The Loft Literary Center, the Lake Superior Writing Competition sponsored by the Duluth Public Library, and the annual poetry contest sponsored by the Saint Paul chapter of the American Association of University Women.
The Minneapolis-based Olympia Arts Ensemble produced his play-in-verse, Virodha-Bhakti, a Sequence of Pageants in 1981. Noel Bredahl of the St. Paul Post-Dispatch hailed the play as "an awesome creation on the part of the playwright." David Hawley, also of the St. Paul Post Dispatch, wrote, “Steffens is a powerful, talented artist."
Kirkus Reviews named his The Dark Side of Social Media one of the ten Best Young Adult Nonfiction Books of 2021. Steffens is a two-time recipient of the San Diego Book Award for Best Young Adult & Children's Nonfiction. His Giants won the 2005 award and his People in the News: J.K. Rowling received the 2007 prize. J.K. Rowling also received the Theodor S. Geisel Award for the best published book by a San Diego County author in 2007. Five of Steffens' books, including Ibn al-Haytham: First Scientist, have been selected by California Readers to be part of the California Collections.
Steffens' poetry has appeared in more than seventy literary journals, including Crosscurrents, Sidewalks, Loonfeather, Stone Country, and The Bellingham Review. Steffens has won several prizes for his poetry, including the Emerging Voices Award presented by The Loft Literary Center, the Lake Superior Writing Competition sponsored by the Duluth Public Library, and the annual poetry contest sponsored by the Saint Paul chapter of the American Association of University Women.
The Minneapolis-based Olympia Arts Ensemble produced his play-in-verse, Virodha-Bhakti, a Sequence of Pageants in 1981. Noel Bredahl of the St. Paul Post-Dispatch hailed the play as "an awesome creation on the part of the playwright." David Hawley, also of the St. Paul Post Dispatch, wrote, “Steffens is a powerful, talented artist."
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 21, 2017
Since my main genre is biography, I tend to become hypercritical when I read historical fiction. The Prisoner of Al-Hakim has surprised me. The story is so engaging that I kept turning the pages, the scenes playing out in my mind as a movie.
The novel is based on the biographical accounts of Ibn Haytham, a 10th-century Arab scholar who pioneered the field of optics. Steffens has done an impressive amount of research on this scientist, previously covered in his detailed biography for young adults: Ibn Al-Haytham: First Scientist. He has also lived in the area where this story takes place. All this groundwork and experience is evident in these pages, allowing Steffens to take us through the story with the authority of an eye-witness and the naturalness of a story-teller.
Ibn Haytham’s life is in itself adventurous and his scientific achievements are impressive. Steffens has added a few elements to make up for the historical gaps and to introduce us to a human, approachable, and charming character.
The novel is based on the biographical accounts of Ibn Haytham, a 10th-century Arab scholar who pioneered the field of optics. Steffens has done an impressive amount of research on this scientist, previously covered in his detailed biography for young adults: Ibn Al-Haytham: First Scientist. He has also lived in the area where this story takes place. All this groundwork and experience is evident in these pages, allowing Steffens to take us through the story with the authority of an eye-witness and the naturalness of a story-teller.
Ibn Haytham’s life is in itself adventurous and his scientific achievements are impressive. Steffens has added a few elements to make up for the historical gaps and to introduce us to a human, approachable, and charming character.
May 12, 2017
'The Prisoner of Al-Hakim' is a historical adventure taking place in the 11th Century. The book's main character is Alhasan, a mathematician and theologist who earns his living writing books and copying texts for others. His fee is modest, and just enough to sustain himself, a servant, and the ability to buy food so that he can spend his time reading, writing, thinking and relaxing all while considering what his next treatise will be.
A foreigner makes his appearance to Alhasan, and before long the world he knows is turned upside down. A leader in Egypt known locally as 'The Mad Caliph' has ordered Alhasan to be brought before him by any means possible so that he can work on a project, no less greater than changing the course of the Nile River! What follows next is a journey through the desert, Alhasan and his captors avoiding bandits, and him learning how to handle a sword in case battle is unavoidable.
This is not the sort of story I usually read, which is why it was all the more enjoyable. I find reading books out of my usual genre make a lasting impression with me, and I think about them for years on end. The author utilizes what I can only describe as superior research, and pays attention to every little detail. Things like the clothes they wore in that time, foods they ate, following the tradition of bathing after prayer, and demanding to pray even while in captivity because their devotion to God comes before all else.
I have never been good at math, but to read the logic Alhasan uses in determining the number of men, material, and time it will take for him to complete his task is amazing, and yet simple enough for a guy like me to understand. I won't give away spoilers, but I thought there was a touch of humor when the 'Caliph' pointed out the difficulty there could be in recruiting and paying laborers for 10 years to work on the project. You see, the Pharoahs built their monuments with slaves.
When they use scientific, ancient tools for travel across the desert, you could feel the sensation the characters must have experienced for people of that time when they faced great difficulties over such journeys, much in the way people traveled across vast oceans utilizing the stars for navigation.
Once again I have learned as a reader I should keep my mind open and choose books of a different genre to shake me up from time to time. 'The Prisoner of Al-Hakim' has done just that...It has shaken me up and reminded me that even a book taking place centuries earlier is filled with adventure, romance, mystery and humor.
A foreigner makes his appearance to Alhasan, and before long the world he knows is turned upside down. A leader in Egypt known locally as 'The Mad Caliph' has ordered Alhasan to be brought before him by any means possible so that he can work on a project, no less greater than changing the course of the Nile River! What follows next is a journey through the desert, Alhasan and his captors avoiding bandits, and him learning how to handle a sword in case battle is unavoidable.
This is not the sort of story I usually read, which is why it was all the more enjoyable. I find reading books out of my usual genre make a lasting impression with me, and I think about them for years on end. The author utilizes what I can only describe as superior research, and pays attention to every little detail. Things like the clothes they wore in that time, foods they ate, following the tradition of bathing after prayer, and demanding to pray even while in captivity because their devotion to God comes before all else.
I have never been good at math, but to read the logic Alhasan uses in determining the number of men, material, and time it will take for him to complete his task is amazing, and yet simple enough for a guy like me to understand. I won't give away spoilers, but I thought there was a touch of humor when the 'Caliph' pointed out the difficulty there could be in recruiting and paying laborers for 10 years to work on the project. You see, the Pharoahs built their monuments with slaves.
When they use scientific, ancient tools for travel across the desert, you could feel the sensation the characters must have experienced for people of that time when they faced great difficulties over such journeys, much in the way people traveled across vast oceans utilizing the stars for navigation.
Once again I have learned as a reader I should keep my mind open and choose books of a different genre to shake me up from time to time. 'The Prisoner of Al-Hakim' has done just that...It has shaken me up and reminded me that even a book taking place centuries earlier is filled with adventure, romance, mystery and humor.
February 22, 2024
Just not great. Reading another book on Ibn al-Haytham before this certainly gave me a satisfactory understanding of this scholar’s life and tinted my reading of this novel for the worse. However, even without reading this other book earlier, I suspect this novel would not have impressed me. While the history is worth knowing, the form of a novel is not fitting in my opinion. Further, the fictionalization of such an important, often overlooked, and mythologized person does not aid in telling and disseminating such critical history. Just read Steffens’ other book on Ibn al-Haytham: “Ibn al-Haytham: First Scientist”.
March 1, 2019
From Chapter One I became a prisoner of the story, unable to put it down until I had finished the novel in its entirety. The author's words transported me into the story visually as though I was an invisible passenger along for the ride. I can't stop thinking about this charming and captivating story.
March 1, 2019
A joy to read
A beautiful book. Well-paced. Charming. Never dull. Instructive. Exotic. Suspenseful. My mental list of who I could recommend this delightful book to continued to grow as I read...until the list included you, Goodreader!
A beautiful book. Well-paced. Charming. Never dull. Instructive. Exotic. Suspenseful. My mental list of who I could recommend this delightful book to continued to grow as I read...until the list included you, Goodreader!
March 3, 2019
An Amazing Journey From Start to Finish
Several things I must mention from the start. I am not a math and science person, but I love historical fiction. Also, I do not read books in a short amount of time, as I like to digest each portion of a story before moving on to the next. With this being said, I found this story quite entrancing from the very beginning. Based on the genius of Alhasan Ibn al-Haytham, who mathematically and scientifically proved many facets of both studies, I was led through the math and science in an manner that invited and explained theories that were understandable even for this reader.
The story line moved along at a pace that kept my interest for the continuing journey through to the end of the adventure. The characters, locations and cultural mores were explained and shared to draw the reader into the lives of the individuals throughout the book. I learned more than I had anticipated. The use of names, the vocabulary, the locations, and the customs kept me intrigued and ready for more. The author did an excellent job of educating the reader along the way.
Most importantly, from my own standpoint, was the opportunity to experience the culture of this ancient world and it's religion. I was so impressed with the courtesy and respect which the characters used throughout, in their greetings to each other and in their willingness to listen to explanations behind differing points of view. Even though some circumstances resulted in harsh or seemingly unfair judgment, those in power took the time to listen and question before making a decision.
I liked the warmth of the connection that took place between the main character and the daughter of his friend. It showed a tender and caring side to Alhasan, through his relationships with this young woman. In all, Alhasan was devout in his faith, honest in his convictions, and true to his words. Thank you, Mr. Steffens for the journey.
Several things I must mention from the start. I am not a math and science person, but I love historical fiction. Also, I do not read books in a short amount of time, as I like to digest each portion of a story before moving on to the next. With this being said, I found this story quite entrancing from the very beginning. Based on the genius of Alhasan Ibn al-Haytham, who mathematically and scientifically proved many facets of both studies, I was led through the math and science in an manner that invited and explained theories that were understandable even for this reader.
The story line moved along at a pace that kept my interest for the continuing journey through to the end of the adventure. The characters, locations and cultural mores were explained and shared to draw the reader into the lives of the individuals throughout the book. I learned more than I had anticipated. The use of names, the vocabulary, the locations, and the customs kept me intrigued and ready for more. The author did an excellent job of educating the reader along the way.
Most importantly, from my own standpoint, was the opportunity to experience the culture of this ancient world and it's religion. I was so impressed with the courtesy and respect which the characters used throughout, in their greetings to each other and in their willingness to listen to explanations behind differing points of view. Even though some circumstances resulted in harsh or seemingly unfair judgment, those in power took the time to listen and question before making a decision.
I liked the warmth of the connection that took place between the main character and the daughter of his friend. It showed a tender and caring side to Alhasan, through his relationships with this young woman. In all, Alhasan was devout in his faith, honest in his convictions, and true to his words. Thank you, Mr. Steffens for the journey.
March 1, 2019
Great book about the search for knowledge... and love.
It's a great book that brings a forgotten historical figure to life. It's easy to read and tells a great story of the search for both knowledge... and love. I had never heard of Alhasan Ibn al-Haytham, but now I understand his place in time.
It's a great book that brings a forgotten historical figure to life. It's easy to read and tells a great story of the search for both knowledge... and love. I had never heard of Alhasan Ibn al-Haytham, but now I understand his place in time.
March 3, 2019
I am writing this with tear-stained eyes to say how much I loved this book. It transported me into an adventure I couldn't walk away from without knowing how it ended. I look forward to hearing that he has written another.
April 23, 2020
We often read snippets about scholars from the past with details about their magnum opus and other achievements. But somehow we never understand the magnitude of their discoveries in the context of time and place.
This historical fiction on the life of AlHassan Ibn Al-Haytham truly brings to light the remarkable life of an underrated genius.
AlHassan, a renounced polymath lives in 11th century Basra which at that time came under the rule of Abbasid Caliphate. One day a stranger in even stranger clothes kidnaps him and takes him away to the Fatimid Caliphate in Cairo to work for “The Mad Caliph”. When a disagreement arises with an obtuse officer-of-the-court, AlHassan finds himself thrown in the prison. In confinement AlHassan ends up observing specks of dust reflecting light and comes up with a ground-breaking theory that reconciles a number of conflicting theories on how we see - it is not rays coming out of our eyes that enable us to see, but the light that reaches the retina that produces images in our brain.
Gripping storytelling, that kept me turning pages. There are snippets of thought experiments, observations and explanation of mathematical, theological and scientific method littered throughout the book that give us an insight into AlHaytham’s thought-process. But no where does it slow the pace of the story or take away from its plot. The characters, even the antagonists are compellingly fleshed out without resorting to painting them as two dimensional villains.
Fiction gives us a better sense of the past than any history book ever can. Likewise, fictionalized accounts of legends, gives their works context against which to shine. And above all humanizes them, much more than any list of books and inventions ever can. An approachable book that doesn’t shy away from discussing big ideas.
This historical fiction on the life of AlHassan Ibn Al-Haytham truly brings to light the remarkable life of an underrated genius.
AlHassan, a renounced polymath lives in 11th century Basra which at that time came under the rule of Abbasid Caliphate. One day a stranger in even stranger clothes kidnaps him and takes him away to the Fatimid Caliphate in Cairo to work for “The Mad Caliph”. When a disagreement arises with an obtuse officer-of-the-court, AlHassan finds himself thrown in the prison. In confinement AlHassan ends up observing specks of dust reflecting light and comes up with a ground-breaking theory that reconciles a number of conflicting theories on how we see - it is not rays coming out of our eyes that enable us to see, but the light that reaches the retina that produces images in our brain.
Gripping storytelling, that kept me turning pages. There are snippets of thought experiments, observations and explanation of mathematical, theological and scientific method littered throughout the book that give us an insight into AlHaytham’s thought-process. But no where does it slow the pace of the story or take away from its plot. The characters, even the antagonists are compellingly fleshed out without resorting to painting them as two dimensional villains.
Fiction gives us a better sense of the past than any history book ever can. Likewise, fictionalized accounts of legends, gives their works context against which to shine. And above all humanizes them, much more than any list of books and inventions ever can. An approachable book that doesn’t shy away from discussing big ideas.
January 2, 2020
I absolutely loved this book and feel so lucky to have come across it. As a writer of historical novels, I truly appreciate the author's attention to detail of the culture he chose to immerse the reader in—the Fatimid Caliphate and Abbasid Caliphate in the Golden age of Islam of the 11th century (presently of Egypt and Iraq). He also brought to life a little known yet extremely important historical figure, that of Ibn Al-Haytham, a father of optics and the scientific method. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about this genius's life through the novel and the significance of the advancements and discoveries from a place that was important to human history. Steffens presents not only a vastly different culture but also the universality of many human struggles and emotions including love, resilience, dedication, and sacrifice.
October 8, 2020
Read for class.
This book was an exciting adventure that really brought to life the history I’ve been learning about in my Islamic math class! Unfortunately Alhasan meets a girl when he is an adult and she is 14 and SPOILER they wind up married by the end. This is not historical, and the author adding this in made me very uncomfortable hence my rating.
It’s definitely well written and compelling. Very easy to read. Just not for anyone who is uncomfortable with this kind of relationship (despite it being, I’m sure, common at the time).
This book was an exciting adventure that really brought to life the history I’ve been learning about in my Islamic math class! Unfortunately Alhasan meets a girl when he is an adult and she is 14 and SPOILER they wind up married by the end. This is not historical, and the author adding this in made me very uncomfortable hence my rating.
It’s definitely well written and compelling. Very easy to read. Just not for anyone who is uncomfortable with this kind of relationship (despite it being, I’m sure, common at the time).
August 14, 2019
There is another book written by the same author titled Ibn Al-Haythem: First Scientist which is about the scientist’s life and discoveries. I recommend not reading it before this book because it is a spoiler. If you read Ibn Al-Haythem: First Scientist first you’ll know exactly what will happen in this book.
March 2, 2020
I loved the book, it was a mix of everything inspirational, historical, science and romance.
December 29, 2023
Super duper good
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews