Author

Multi-award-winning books and articles – with top publishers and the most popular press outlets.

Broadcaster

More than 100 TV and radio appearances on over 50 stations worldwide – and an in-house broadcaster for the BBC.

Curator

Pioneering exhibitions at prime locations – attracting thousands of visitors and making monumental discoveries.

About

Islam Issa is a multi-award-winning author, broadcaster, and curator. He has been described as "one of the UK's most significant new thinkers" (BBC) and as "an Egyptian icon" (CBC).

A British-Egyptian historian and critic, his work has focused on the cultural history of the Middle East and the role of Shakespeare around the world. 
He is Professor of Literature and History at Birmingham City University, where he was awarded the university's Researcher of the Year prize for two consecutive years.

With an international repertoire of publications, exhibitions, TV and radio programmes, and speaking tours – he is bringing pioneering approaches and fresh narratives to the fields of history, literature, and cultural studies.

ALEXANDRIA: THE CITY THAT CHANGED THE WORLD

AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE

🌍🌍🌍🌍🌍

the UK 🇬🇧

the USA 🇺🇸

Australia 🇦🇺

Canada 🇨🇦

New Zealand 🇳🇿

South Africa 🇿🇦

and as Audiobook 🎧


AVAILABLE IN TRANSLATION

🌍🌍🌍🌍🌍

Greek 🇬🇷

Indonesian 🇮🇩

Polish 🇵🇱


COMING SOON

🌍🌍🌍🌍🌍

Portuguese 🇵🇹

Spanish 🇲🇽

Turkish 🇹🇷


WINNER OF THE RUNCIMAN AWARD

SHORTLISTED FOR THE LONDON HELLENIC PRIZE
TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR

SUNDAY TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR

TLS BOOK OF THE YEAR

BOOKLIST BOOK OF THE YEAR

EPOCH TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR

WATERSTONES BOOK OF THE YEAR

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"Monumental and vividly imagined" (Daily Telegraph)

"Wonderfully entertaining" (Sunday Times)

"Written with vim and vigour" (Times)

"Elegant and poignant" (Times Literary Supplement)

"Lively and engrossing" (Literary Review)

"Outstanding ... fantastic" (Foreword)

"Delightful and invigorating" (Middle East Monitor)

"Detailed and enthralling" (Witness)

"Fascinating ... amazing" (Gleaner)

"Breathtaking" (World Literature Review)

"Spellbinding" (Athens Insider)

"Unforgettable" (Waterstones)

"Genius" (Women's Weekly)

"A literary triumph" (Epoch Times)

"A mesmerising journey" (Al Jazeera)


Alexandria goes to Greece

Islam Issa takes his bestselling book on Alexandria to Greece, where it will be celebrated for winning the prestigious Runciman Award. As well as the keynote Anglo-Hellenic League Lecture entitled The Alexandrian Dream, the event will also introduce the new Greek translation of Alexandria.
British School of Athens, Athens 
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Dec 9
7. p.m.
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Waterstones Christmas Evening

Waterstones presents its annual Christmas Evening. Filled with festivities, including mince pies, Christmas related activities, and the chance to meet some of your favourite authors and get a signed copy of the new paperback edition of Islam Issa's Alexandria – the perfect Christmas present. 
Waterstones, Birmingham
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Dec 3
5. p.m.
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Echoes of the Silk Road

In this expert panel, Islam Issa, Bettany Hughes and Colin Thubron explore the legendary cities of Alexandria, Istanbul and Samarkand. An event related to the British Library exhibition, A Silk Road Oasis: Life in Ancient Dunhuang.
British Library, London
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Nov 7
7. p.m.
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ASMEA Prize Panel

As a finalist for the ASMEA's Bernard Lewis Prize for a work elucidating the history of anti-Semitism, Islam Issa presents groundbreaking findings on ancient Alexandria from his bestselling book.
Marriott Georgetown, Washington DC
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Nov 3
9. a.m.
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UNAM Centennial Lecture

Islam Issa will deliver the keynote lecture at a colloquium celebrating the 100th anniversary of the School of Philosophy and Literature at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), the Spanish-speaking world's leading university. It will take place at UNAM’s flagship campus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built 70 years ago. 
UNAM, Mexico  City 
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Aug 23
6. p.m.
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Future of Humanities: a conversation

Islam Issa is in conversation with Jean-Frédéric Schaub of the Paris Ecole des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales, discussing the impact of the digital humanities and artificial intelligence on the field of humanities to date and in the future.
UNAM, Mexico  City 
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Aug 21
11. a.m.
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Alexandria @ Charleston Festival

Joined by Seven Wonders author Bettany Hughes,  Islam Issa will discuss his new book on Alexandria and how these ancient monuments created a rich cultural legacy that has shaped the military and political history of the last two millennia. Hosted by Naoíse Mac Sweeney.
Charleston in Firle, East Sussex
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May 22
1. p.m.
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Alexandria @ HistFest

The biggest history festival in London hosts an event on the long and fascinating history of Alexandria and Islam Issa's new book, Alexandria: The City that Changed the World. In conversation with Michael Wood.
British Library, London
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Apr 14 3. p.m.
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