Ashraf, l’arciere dell’imperatore (B2/C1)

.epub ebook, .mobi (kindle compatible) ebook, .pdf ebook
(5 customer reviews)
An original Italian easy reader by Francesca Colombo

It’s the early thirteenth century and Frederick II is Holy Roman Emperor and King of the southern parts of Italy. In Sicily, a large muslim community rebels against his rule, so are brutally deported to the mainland city of Lucera.

Fredrick’s relationship with his rival for power, the pope, is poor, though he gets on well with the Sultan, speaks Arabic, and has many muslim advisors. Perhaps suspicious of the conflicted loyalties of fellow Christians, he recruited troops, including his bodyguard, from the exiled Sicilian muslim community, men who he trusts to be loyal only to him…

  • .pdf e-book (+ audio available free online)
  • .mobi (Kindle-compatible) and .epub (other ebook readers) available on request at no extra charge – just add a note to the order form or email us
  • 8 chapters to read and listen to
  • Comprehension questions to check your understanding
  • Italian/English glossary of ‘difficult’ terms for the level
  • Suitable for students at intermediate level or above
  • Download your Free Sample Chapter (.pdf)
How do I access my ebook?

When your order is ‘completed’ (normally immediately after your payment), a download link will be automatically emailed to you. It’s valid for 7 days and 3 download attempts so please save a copy of the .pdf ebook in a safe place. Other versions of the ebook, where available, cannot be downloaded but will be emailed to people who request them. There’s a space to do that on the order form – where it says Additional information, Order notes (optional). If you forget, or if you have problems downloading the .pdf, don’t worry! Email us at the address on the website and we’ll help. Also, why not check out our FAQ?

£9.99

Description

An original Italian easy reader by Francesca Colombo

In the early thirteenth century, Frederick II became Holy Roman Emperor and King of the southern parts of Italy. But in Sicily, a large muslim community rebelled against his rule, so were brutally deported, a safe distance away, to the mainland city of Lucera.

An educated man, the Emperor could speak multiple foreign languages, including Arabic. He enjoyed mixing with the wise men of his day, many of whom were muslim scientists, philosophers or political advisors. With their advice and support, he went on to make peace with the Sultan and to become King of Jerusalem.

Fredrick’s relationship with contemporary popes, at the time the ultimate spiritual authorities and so rivals for power in the Italian pensinsula and elsewhere, was much less positive! Perhaps suspicious of the conflicted loyalties of fellow Christians, the emperor recruiting muslim archers, cavalry and even his personal bodyguard from the exiled Sicilian muslim community, men who would be loyal only to him.

Meanwhile, back in Lucera, a muslim young boy is being schooled in archery by his unsmiling, one-armed father…

  • .pdf e-book (+ audio available free online)
  • .mobi (Kindle-compatible) and .epub (other ebook readers) available on request at no extra charge – just add a note to the order form or email us
  • 8 chapters to read and listen to
  • Comprehension questions to check your understanding
  • Italian/English glossary of ‘difficult’ terms for the level
  • Suitable for students at intermediate level or above
  • Download your Free Sample Chapter (.pdf)
How do I access my ebook?

When your order is ‘completed’ (normally immediately after your payment), a download link will be automatically emailed to you. It’s valid for 7 days and 3 download attempts so please save a copy of the .pdf ebook in a safe place. Other versions of the ebook, where available, cannot be downloaded but will be emailed to people who request them. There’s a space to do that on the order form – where it says Additional information, Order notes (optional). If you forget, or if you have problems downloading the .pdf, don’t worry! Email us at the address on the website and we’ll help. Also, why not check out our FAQ?

Additional information

Format

.epub ebook, .mobi (kindle compatible) ebook, .pdf ebook

5 reviews for Ashraf, l’arciere dell’imperatore (B2/C1)

  1. David Ellis (verified owner)

    Wonderful story about a turbulent time in history and about which I knew little before. I kept wondering how Ashraf would accomplish his task and I was totally unprepared for the ending!

    • easyreadersorg

      Thanks for taking the time to leave a review, David! I enjoyed this one, too. And it IS an interesting period, that’s true.

  2. Karen (verified owner)

    I liked the story. It is interesting in that it shows the perspectives of two opposing combatants and how an understanding of the other sides perspective could potentially resolve some conflicts.
    The one aspect of this story that I viewed negatively is that it can be viewed as perpetuating the stereotype of muslims being murderous religious zealots whose ideology is more important than love or family. Here in the US, after the 9/11 attacks, there was much negativity and antipathy towards the muslim faith by non-muslims and in response there was an effort to educate the non-muslim public about the muslim religion in an attempt to dispel these negative stereotypes.

  3. DONNA K (verified owner)

    I really enjoyed this book and would have given it five stars, but I did not like the ending. At the end of the story, I had hoped for an awakening or change of heart on the part of Jaafar. Ashraf, through his military experience, returned home with a different point of view regarding the emperor. While acknowledging Jafaar’s character— strong, unyielding, and principled, he was a father. I had hoped love of son, pride in his son’s accomplishments would weaken his hatred and desire for revenge.

    • easyreadersorg

      I’d hoped the same thing, Donna, but sadly not everyone’s life has a happy ending…

  4. Tony Prosser (verified owner)

    Another excellent story from Francesca Colombo. It is a perfect follow up to Il Medioevo which is in the same series and available as a series online, but which is at a slightly easier level. This is a little more demanding, but it is certainly accessible to anyone with an intermediate level of Italian, and it has the bonus of short exercises at a number of different levels after each chapter.

    Importantly, the story is not just an exercise in learning Italian but stands up on its own; the quality meant that there is a stong incentive not to give up but to continue to the end. I’m very glad I did so.

    As always in this series, great value.

    • easyreadersorg

      Many thanks for the review, Tony!

  5. patricia Lenz (verified owner)

    The language in this story is lively, with believable characters and a dramatic, ultimately heartbreaking conclusion. While definitely thought-provoking, I think I understand the point of the story. Worth a read and discussion–in this case, at a distance, just with myself!

    • easyreadersorg

      Thanks for taking the time to leave a review, Patricia! We appreciate it. Yes, this story got me thinking, too…

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