Everything has been rightly written by amazoniaques precedents about this great historical epic fictionalized but well documented, well written and translated. This story is reminiscent of "The Pillars of the Earth". And if the plot and theme may initially be put off, it is not. Indeed the English Catholic posing a Jew, to be admitted among Arab doctors, this may surprise, and despite some unjustified peaks against future German, this book is a magnificent hymn to tolerance and respect cultures. In a Europe mired obscurantism and religious fanaticism in the X and XI th centuries, a young orphan will travel to the East to discover an advanced society, curious, sophisticated, open, and tolerant, but flawed course. This daring journey is exciting, as well as an introduction to medicine and surgery of the apprentice barber student. This journey of initiation reminiscent of the young novice in "The Name of the Rose". The author confirms the fictionalized character of his work, but you must read the documentation, and the impressive bibliography that were needed to write this book. The approach of the different religions is excellent, and educational, all the picturesque characters, and credible, medical surgical descriptions and very fair. A true masterpiece, which devours.