Item: Leather-bound Psychology Text book

Date: 03/07/1939

Origin: Jerusalem, Palestine

Original Owner: Ahmad-Sameh Ragheb al-Khalidi

Current Owner: Ali-Usama Zreik

Relationship to Owner: Great Grandon

Current Location: Montreal, Canada

Description:

A first edition Arabic language psychology text book. Dimensions 15cm x 22cm, with a total of 703 pages.
The book includes a dedication to the author’s father, a preface signed by the author, and an index.

It includes text and several hand drawn illustrations that accompany the text and serve to explain complex concepts.

Throughout the book one can find certain words and phrases underlined and some short notes in the margins. All in pencil.

The book as an especially -made made-made and handsewn brown leather protective cover. It is embossed with the title of the book, the name of the author, and decorated with a flowery design.

The book is in relatively good condition, although the paper has somewhat yellowed. The leather cover is also in good condition although there is some darkening of its color in some spots.

*Note: Within the pages of the book are two pressed plant leaves that appear to have been place there with the aim of drying and preserving.

Story:

In the early 1930s, Ahmad-Sameh al-Khalidi who was the Director of the Arab College in Jerusalem, realized that it was extremely important to have an Arabic language textbook on Psychology for his students. As a pioneer in modern education, he firmly believed in adopting and adapting new techniques and in introducing experiential learning rather than rote learning. In the absence of Arabic language resources, he took it upon himself to translate and publish this volume “Psychology: A study of mental life” by Robert S. Woodworth (1921).

The book has had a specially made leather cover inscribed with the title, the year, and the name of Mr. al-Khalidi.

This book was brought with the family from Jerusalem to Beirut when they were evicted in 1948. It has been handed from Ahmad-Sameh to his son Usama, and from Usama to his daughter Muna, and from her to her son Ali-Usama.

Ali-Usama did his undergraduate studies in Psychology at the American University of Beirut, and now he resides – and with him the book – in Montreal, Canada.