Author
Multi-award-winning books and articles – with top publishers and the most popular press outlets.
Broadcaster
More than 150 TV and radio appearances on over 60 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)
Online Course: History of Alexandria
In this three-session virtual course, you can discover the rich history of Alexandria with Islam Issa, renowned expert on the ancient city. Explore how Alexandria shaped philosophy, science, and religion, from its founding by Alexander the Great to its Great Library, and the lasting influence of its landmarks today. Running weekly.
92NY, New York, online via Zoom
Mar 26
4. p.m.
4. p.m.
Panelist @ Renaissance Society of America
At the 71st Annual Meeting of the Renaissance Society of America, this roundtable brings together public intellectuals with extensive experience beyond academia to talk about the opportunities, challenges, and stakes of writing, speaking, and programming for the public.
Marriott Copley Place, Boston
Mar 22
2. p.m.
2. p.m.
Natalie Haynes Stands up for the Classics (double bill)
Islam Issa joins 'Rockstar mythologist' Natalie Haynes for an evening of comedy and the classics: a double-bill recording all about Alexandria and its Great Library for the next season of BBC Radio 4's long-running and hilariously informative Natalie Haynes Stands up for the Classics.
BBC Radio Theatre, London
Mar 5
7. p.m.
7. p.m.
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 at Athens, Athens
Dec 9
7. p.m.
7. p.m.
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
Dec 3
5. p.m.
5. p.m.
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
Nov 7
7. p.m.
7. p.m.
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
Nov 3
9. a.m.
9. a.m.
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
Aug 23
6. p.m.
6. p.m.
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
Aug 21
11. a.m.
11. a.m.
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
May 22
1. p.m.
1. p.m.
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
Apr 14 3. p.m.
